CASIMIRO MADARANG & GERALDINE BALSE
BALANCE AND PERFECTION
2003 was a year of many things. My college life was going well. My heart got broken. Then, I met a boy.
2018 was also a year of many things. Our daughter turned a year old. Business was thriving. I was getting married after 15 unbelievable years with my partner, Kashim.
We wanted a grand wedding. A suitable milestone for a partnership that stood the test of time. Then, as if some divine prank was making things wrong. On the night of our wedding, somehow the universe decided that 180 months of challenges and obstacles in our relationship were not enough. Nothing has been set up when they were supposed to. Our dance had still to be rehearsed. Because of our busy schedules, we never thought of it until the very last minute. All we needed to do was try not to fall flat on our faces during the wedding reception.
Finally, I dozed off at 12 midnight but was startled awake by a call at 3 A.M. The florist could not pass through the hotel security without a waiver which I had to sign. I had to handle the paperwork while getting pissed off by the thought that time is running out. My nerves were frayed and my patience was almost at its limits.
Photographers had to be assisted at 4 A.M., the reception hall was not any close to being ready and we were just hours away to the start of the ceremony. I just wanted to let go and let disaster take its course. So much for my beauty rest! Then I thought about the reason why we were doing all these. Deep breaths and Kashim’s encouragements kept me sane. The love for our daughter and the promise of a future made me moved on and marched forward. We were not about to let anything ruin our celebration of love.
I walked down the aisle lined with rows of friends and family as Kashim’s bride. It was exactly like how we envisioned it to be. I put on a big smile while I see my groom standing at the altar widely grinning with reassuring words, “We made it!” Moments later, we shared our first kiss as husband and wife with a timeless ring handed down from generation in Kashim’s family, worn on my finger.
The way to the hotel for the reception was filled with moments of anxiety. I was worried about a lot of unfinished details. But when the doors to the hall opened, everything seemed like a fairytale. It may sound so cliché but I have no other word to describe how it was done so beautifully. The room came to life with the balance of black, pink and gold on every element of the theme.
The celebration was fantastic. People danced, laughed and cried happy tears. Of course we nailed the first dance, thanks to sheer willpower. Phew!
Our crazy friends were hilarious in the games we played. Our wedding video was romantic. I can still hear the trembling voice of my mom as she told everyone how stubborn I was as a little girl. I was crying when I hugged her and told her, “Mom, I am not stubborn. Just determined.”
We chose items which symbolized balance and perfection such as the geometric pentagon box for our arrhaes and rings. For all the years we were together, we had managed to find balance and perfection even in our differences.
As individuals we claim perfection. Our love and respect for each other puts a perfect balance to our life now as husband and wife.