United in love, 10 years ago. :)
My husband and I celebrated our 10th wedding anniversary earlier this week. It was a simple and intimate affair — we invited a dear priest-friend of ours to celebrate the Holy Eucharist with us and asked him to help us renew our marriage vows. We invited only immediate family, but since it was a work-day, only our moms were present, plus our kids. 🙂
Despite the simplicity of the whole event, it was a truly beautiful occasion. I was in tears at times, because I realized once again how God has been SO faithful to me, Anthony and our family all these years! Praise Him for His goodness indeed!
After the Mass and renewal of vows. 🙂 Thank you to everyone who greeted us and showered us with your love and prayers! :)
I was especially touched by our priest’s homily — he really prepared well for it! 🙂 Fr. Alan Bondoc, SVD was one of the first Filipino priests with whom we shared missionary life in Timor Leste — first, as an engaged couple, then as newlyweds… then, later on, as parents to two young kids! He is also one of the godfathers of our eldest child.
With Fr. Alan :)
I asked Fr. Alan if I could share his homily here on the blog — I think anyone who is yearning for love — true love — can glean some insights from it, even if you’re not married yet. 🙂 Father graciously said ‘yes’ so, without further ado, I’ll just paste what he sent me below (with some minor edits on my part, heehee!). I pray this will bless and inspire you somehow!
Homily for Anthony and Tina’s 10th Wedding Anniversary
Marriage is a life where God called and joined two people to live in love for life.
Both of you decided and chose to love for better or worse, for richer or poorer, until death, until your last breath here on earth.
Love each other the same way you love God, with all your heart, with all your life, with all your strength and soul.
Walk together side by side, moving on in one direction, holding with one commitment, and living in one heart.
Expect trials and testing along the way. Remember that there is no easy road in a relationship. What is important is that you face together every challenge that comes in your marriage life and never leave your partner behind especially in moments of fire in your relationship.
I want to share to you what love truly is from the dialogue of three films that made people in love.
1. “You complete me.” From the dialogue in the film Jerry McGuire.
Both of you came to receive the Sacrament of Matrimony because of LOVE. Love is the reason that both of you decided to live as one. It is love that completes both of you.
Loving completely means accepting each other completely — his/her strengths and weaknesses, his/her past life, and, more importantly, his/her future of getting old with you.
Loving completely means embracing the whole person whom you love.
2. “If you jump, I jump. We jump together.” From the dialogue in the film Titanic.
.
When the ship is sinking, when your marriage is on the edge of going down, do not push him/her ahead of you but rather jump together at the same time.
Never leave your partner behind. Never doubt your companion. Never quit on your lover. Never hurt each other.
Remember, marriage made your hearts become one. The wound of one is the wound of both to share. Living and doing together is the power of two.
Loving together means facing life’s victories and defeats together.
3. “Forever.” From the dialogue in the film Twilight: Breaking Dawn.
I do believe that there is FOREVER in LOVE.
Love is not just a feeling but rather it is more about a “decision.” Feelings come and go, they go up and down, they fluctuate, and they could fade along the way.
Both of you must not base your love on feelings alone but it should be founded in a mutual decision that you will love, accept, and care for each other regardless of your feelings.
If I were to translate these dialogues into our mother tongue (Tagalog), they would be like this:
“You complete me.” — IKAW ANG LAHAT SA AKIN.
“If you jump, I jump. We jump together.” — WALANG IWANAN, WALANG TULAKAN.
“Forever.” — HANGGANG SA WAKAS.
Renewing our vows. :)
Anthony and Tina, love that is presented in marriage is a lifetime commitment.
If the romance will fade, love should remain.
If the feelings are gone, love should continue.
Your love should stand when the world goes down.
Love could only become forever only when you decide to hold on together every day of your life.
Do not allow anything to destroy your love.
Do not let anyone separate you from each other.
Let your vows of love hold you forever.
May God, the source of your love, bless your love every day of your life.
Best wishes and congratulations.
From: Rev. Fr. Alan G. Bondoc, SVD
You may kiss the bride! :)
May all couples everywhere be guided and strengthened by the Greatest Lover who ever lived, our God and Savior! 🙂 Praying for us all!
Did this article inspire or encourage you in any way? If yes, please feel free to share it with others! God bless you! 🙂
Aww Happy Anniversary!
Thank you, Marie! 🙂 God bless you!
I am grateful for choosing me to preside in your renewal of marriage vows. I am blessed having known both of you. I am happy to be part of your family. Keep the love alive. God is eternal, therefore, love is eternal, for God is love.
Amen po! 🙂 Thanks again for celebrating with us! 🙂 We are truly rich and blessed by your support and prayers! God bless always po, Fr. A!