๐ Got married today
Some people asking why the sudden decision to get married this year (supposed to be next year yet), I hope this blog explains it. But by default, I just answer "Carpe Diem."
A sense of urgency
With the stories of loss and suffering from my clients dating back 2022, it's accumulated to a realization that life is short.
Hair loss. Stress. Knee pains. Shortness of breath. What seemed to be just signs of aging to me, became signs of death. Although my annual exam last month didn't find any remarkable findings (other than being obese), I might not afford to wait until next year. I'd be happy to die tomorrow, knowing that I married my wife today.
So Last August, a few weeks before my birthday, I asked if we could get married this year. She said yes, and I immediately started making preparations.
My Catholic Reversion
Other than my request that I get married this year, was also to get married in church. Sure, I could get married in a civil setting. That would've been more practical for the sake of having a certificate that says you're legal.
Spirituality should be one of the fundamentals in maintaining a relationship, especially a marriage. In my work, I meet and interact with people with spiritual famine -- people on survival mode. People who tend to be easily corrupted. These are people who say it's okay to be cheat on your partners as long as you're financially able to provide for your kids. Therefore, having a circle of mentors (role models), which I found that they're connected to Church, i a key in navigating lifelong commitments.
I'm definitely far from being the ideal Christian. I've done a lot of bad things in the past. Life is hard, that's a given. But with God, maybe it's a little bit less. Nihil Deo osbstat.
If to serve God means that I will be a good husband, a good father, a good member of society--so be it. So I said to myself: as God as my witness, I'm getting married in Church.
It's long overdue
Hence the sense of urgency. We have been dating for over a decade. In 2022, we moved in together. It's unwise to have spousal responsibilities without being a spouse.
Looking back, it was a decision that had to be made economically. Other than that, it was expressed that there was some degree of regret in that decision.
Besides, I already felt wedded to her since the beginning of our courtship. My only regret about this wedding is that I have not done this sooner.
We're still celebrating (getting married) next year
We had big plans for our original wedding. The big plan is to have both of our parents in attendance. In honor to them and to invite more guests, we'll be celebrating our anniversary as if we were getting married for the first time.
I'm not a fan of big weddings. My wife is not a fan of surprise weddings. So we decided to make a compromise and have two weddings in the early stages of our marriage. I'm told that my wedding today is a variant of kiddushin, in Jewish tradition.
My wife is an amazing human being. She's smart, beautiful, understanding, and an inspiration to me. She's my best friend whom I met in college.
P.S. There is another personal reason that influenced the decision to get married. But for now, I won't share it here.