By Rene A Lacape
Sep 11, 2009
Marriage To Last Longer Or Not I did not know how this happened. How could I have allowed this to happen, of all people, to myself? My mouth dry, sweat dewing my brow, I looked up towards the high cathedral ceiling and tried to make sense out of the haphazard stained glass window panes just as I attempted to make sense of my mental commotion.
Could I run away? I did not think so. The reason why was sitting at the front pew, wearing her new red dress, smiling widely and bending her silvery black head to chat unintelligibly to her neighbor. Excited, happy, and not a little exhausted with what all these Herculean efforts to arrange her eldest son’s wedding; my mother.
Exhaling a mournful sigh, I earned a look from the priest and a teasing poke (ouch!) from the best man, my brother. Even without turning around, I could see his grin. “Wait till it is your turn,” I muttered to myself.
He was not anti to this sacred custom, neither was he not in love with his bride to be which means his nuptials was not at all arranged. However, this was not what he and his fiance agreed on earlier. They wanted to delay their nuptial so that they won’t be tied down in the contract of marriage. It was his mother who demanded that they get married as soon as possible before it was too late.
Parents can go to the extend of begging their kids to settle down. Their most common excuse would be that they want to see their grandchildren before they move on to the next life. That is why some kids force themselves into a marriage even before they feel that they are not ready for this life changing contract.
I knew it was too late to back out. Everything in the past few months was arranged down to the last excruciating detail, all in a bewildering whirlwind presided over by our indomitable matriarch. The wedding themes at the church and at the lavish banquet tonight were major headaches – especially the exasperating photo-taking sessions where we pasted perpetual smiles. Later we required WEEKS of shopping for wedding supplies such as the wines,cheap mac makeup, the menus, the decorations,discount mac makeup, the flowers, the ribbons, the bridal car. the list went on and on. Not to mention the cake! My parents and in-laws actually devoted half an hour (imagine that!) just to choose from the endless arrays of wedding cake toppers. Why on earth would people need cakes for wedding I could never fathom the reason. And if they do, which of the guests would actually admire the cake toppers?
You are right, dear. Nobody notices them if they are there, but if they are not, then EVERYBODY will notice. Trust me, I am experienced.”
The man could no longer argue with his mother.
But nothing can top the shock that came two days ago, my bride’s gowns and accessories. Down to the last earring and bit of lace, they simply took my breath away – without me seeing the actual paraphernalia; the bill was enough! Could clothes actually cost so much? She would not be wearing it for long anyway!
“Trump, tum, ta, ta ” I was jarred out of my wild imaginings as the organ pealed out the dreaded song – “Here comes .”
As the music played, signaling the arrival of the bride,cheap mac makeup, the groom snapped back into reality.
A man is usually awed by the beauty of his bride. Only at that moment do they realize why the real reason why they had agreed to the whole thing.
All the uncertainties that the groom had before this will disappear in a twinkling of an eye. Seeing the bride for the first time of the eventful day would immediately change his mind. He would then value the most meaningful part of the whole torment.
The bride and the groom join hand as signifying their eternal pledge.
I had the answer now. A prayer rose in my heart as we turned to face the holy presence. I would protect her and cherish her. I would share her ups and downs, and share mine. There would be times we would be together, and times we would be separate. But we would respect each other’s space and feelings. We would quarrel, yes, maybe over the smallest things, but we would work it out and make it up. We would be a family – we would have adorable children, we would learn and grow together towards our shared future together.
The only thing that a couple need is love and when they realize that they have it they will feel very lucky indeed.
The words in my heart came clear and confident, “I do.
