I take a deep breath and place my hands on my round belly as the car we rented pulls up in front of the chapel.
"This is it, Zeke. We're officially going to be Faulkersons today." I smile.
I originally planned a simple ceremony, simple dress, a few flowers and I'll drive myself to church but things changed when I told you about our wedding.
You insisted on buying me this beautiful white lace maternity gown with cap sleeves and a ballgown skirt that starts just above my waist and flows over my baby bump which wasn't that big to begin with. Over eight months and most moms I talk to at the clinic say I look like I'm only on my second trimester.
You said you knew how I love pretty dresses and I have to have the prettiest one on our wedding day.
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"Are you okay in there, little peanut?" I whisper with a chuckle. "I hope all these layers aren't making you feel uncomfortable in there."
There isn't a wedding entourage but you said you want to see me walk down the aisle towards you and so that's what is about to happen.
The driver helps me down the car and with my hand-crafted wedding bouquet, made of satin flowers and beads, I stand before the closed doors of the chapel, waiting for it to open.
I don't know why I'm so nervous but not knowing what I'll find when the doors open scared me. I take a slow deep breath and brace myself like I did when I took your hand to shake on the day we met, like when I admitted to myself that I'm in love with you, like when I told you that I love you and ran into your arm the night our son was conceived, like that day I got on the flight back home and when I asked the cab driver to stop on the same coffee shop where we first met. Each time I did not know what will happen next but I took a chance because that chance was with you.
With you and for you, I will always dive head first into the unknown because I do not fear anything when I'm with you.
The doors open and I stand in awe at the exquisite arrangement of the chapel, white roses, tulips, gardenias and baby's breath line up along the aisle and the red carpet is filled with white rose petals.
At The Beginning by Donna Lewis is being played by a string quartet and the few people in attendance are all looking at me.
I start walking down the aisle and watch each face greet me delightedly.
Your sisters in their lovely yellow dresses wave at me and giggle. Kat sniffles and grins while her boyfriend Jacob is busy taking pictures and videos on the sides. Your Dad smiles at me and nods.
And YOU... you're looking at me with tears in your eyes and a smile on your lips like I'm the most precious thing in the world. You quickly brush your tears away and mouth "I love you".
What's a girl to do? The tenderness of the love in your eyes well up my eyes. I whisper "I love you to" as I take another step towards with tears flowing down my face and my heart exploding with happiness.
I stop when I finally reach the front of the altar with you standing only a few feet from me. I look at you and wait for you to come down and take my hand but you instead you stay right where you are and hold a hand up to tell me "Wait."
I raise an eyebrow at you to say "What the hell are you doing?" You then smile at me solemnly at nod at someone behind me.
I slowly and nervously turn to look at the person you nodded to and break down when I see who it is.
"Menggay." Tatay smiles at me with open arms. Kuya is happily standing right beside him too.
"Tatay..." I sob and run straight into his arms like a little girl.
I cry and sob for a while as Tatay holds me in his arms and Kuya gently strokes my back.
"Tahan na, Menggay ko." Tatay says as he kisses my forehead. "Naghihintay na ang mapapangasawa mo." He cups my face and dries my tears. "Nakakahiya kung haharap ka sa kanyang maga ang ilong." He chuckles and I giggles as I wipe my face with my hand.
Kat rushes to my aid, lifts my veil and fixes my makeup. "Ayan. Ang ganda mo talaga. Go na! Baka mauna pa ang inaanak ko lumabas kesa sa kasal." She grins and we both giggle.
With one more hug from Tatay, Kat and Kuya, I place my hand on Tatay's arm as we both turn to face you.
"Nak, it's a tie pala kayo nitong manugang ko. Iyakin din." Tatay whispers as we walks towards you, making me giggle while you continue to sob and sniffles with your eyes and nose all red and your lips quivering.
You meet us at the bottom of the altar with your Dad. Tito Rick and I hug while you and Tatay stand staring at each other with many unspoken words in between you.
Tatay holds his hand out and you take it then touch it to your forehead. He then pats your shoulder and says, "Alagaan mo ang Menggay natin at ang apo ko."
To which you tearfully nod and answer, "Opo. Hindi po kayo mabibigo sa akin."
Tatay shakes hand with your Dad then takes my hand then places it on yours before stepping back.
We stand hand in hand gazing at each other with happy smiles and happy tears.
"Open-minded ka ba? Baka nasa akin na ang katuparan ng pangarap mo." You grin at me and I laugh.
"Natupad na." I smile and let you lead me to the altar where we exchange vows and I Do's in front of God and those we love. 💛🍃
