Got 2 Believe In Magic

The finest flowers at my wedding will not be in my bouquet. They will be my sisters. Jasmine, Dahlia and Gardenia will all be there, lending their blossoms to the occasion, assuming the roles of Matrons of Honor. Jasmine, a mentor like my mother, will spare her very feminine personality to give a semblance of gentleness and refinement to the event. Dahlia, a nurse like me, will bare her daring character in order to add color and energy to the party. Gardenia, in many ways like me (nurse, active, pretty, (lol) and preggy like i wanna be soon) will be coming over from miles away and will press home the point that beauty knows no distance. 

Being a homebuddy, Francis' best buddies in sports and recreation were his brothers. So why look beyond the family for best men at his wedding? Mark Rajah and Andree Alfred have been his best men early on. They will not just serve that role only for this wedding. They will be his best men for life. For Mark Rajah, who is literally and figuratively still in vagabond, this formal role might just be what he needs to find direction anew. Andree Alfred, always the kind who takes inspiration from his "kuya", is naturally any kuya's ideal choice to stand by his side on his big day. His motor accident just a couple of nights ago would have been an excuse for this role, but he would rather bear the scar than miss this one big moment of his kuya.

Even before our engagement, Francis and I already had in mind the few people we'd love to stand as our wedding Godparents. Our list of prospects seemed endless at the start. In the end, we picked only two pairs of unsophisticated people whom we thought God's signs led us to. Fortunately, they did not give us a hard time convincing them, as they readily accepted our invitation at first notice. It is our honor and privilege, really, to have them as our principal sponsors - they, who collectively infuse youth and dynamism to our ceremony as well as provide us good Christian models to follow.

Edna C. Lee, an academic influence on us, was an instructor we looked up to at UP Psychology Department.

Conchita C. Goipeng was as much our choiced ninang as her daughter, Atty. Wendy, both of whom were instrumental to Francis' law course since the Goipeng scholarship that they took him in paid much of the bills in law school.

Julius A. Vergara was our natural choice for his being simple, unpretentious and good-natured personality, not to mention that he is my sister's beloved beau.

Josafat C. Batoctoy is another brother-in-law and another epitome of simplicity, discipline and good Christian family virtues, whose all four children will take part in our entourage.

Francis' sisters, who are both very supportive to us all throughout our preparations, deserve special mention. Farrah Naz N. Jackson, who will not only be coming home from ocean's away and who readily lent her son, Laurence Oliver, to our entourage, will offer the bread and wine opposite Francis' best friend in Law school, Atty. Aldwin C. Fernandez.

Fritzie Faith N. Abangan, ever the take-charge "ate" and one of four preggy moms coincidetally included in our entourage,  will pair with Francis' Law classmate and friend, cum Provincial Board Member, Atty. Joven Mondigo, Jr., to offer the chalice and ciborium.

Laurence Oliver N. Jackson, Francis' godson and first nephew, will be accompanied by my nephew, Joseph Dale L. Batoctoy, to offer the fruits - a symbol that just perfectly suits their freshness and youth.