December 2022 marked an extraordinary month in my life – I attended four weddings in less than 30 days.
While this might sound like the plot of a romantic comedy (yuck), each celebration taught me valuable lessons about love, friendship, and the importance of showing up for the people we care about.
The first wedding was that of a colleague-turned-friend, a writer who joined our team in 2016. He honored me with an invitation to be a principal sponsor, which I regrettably declined. Looking back, I realize I was going through personal challenges that clouded my judgment.
Despite attending as a regular guest, I was touched to be treated with the same respect as a primary sponsor. At 38, it was humbling to see how much this colleague valued our relationship, transcending our professional connection.
The second celebration brought me back to my musical roots. Our band's drummer from 2005-2013, now a pastor who still keeps music in his life, tied the knot in Antipolo.
This wedding turned into an unexpected reunion with my former bandmates, the second time we'd all been together since 2021.
The day was memorable for many reasons, including an amusing mishap where both soles of my dress shoes completely detached, leaving me to walk the gravel road practically barefoot. Sometimes the most uncomfortable moments make the best stories.
The third wedding celebrated a neighbor from my childhood days. Though we grew up years apart, our connection through mutual friends blossomed into its own friendship over time.
His bride, working in Germany, flew home specifically for their wedding. Today, they've built their life together in Germany, proving that love knows no borders.
The fourth and final wedding of December saw me stepping into the role of primary sponsor (I've talked about this in length here), a fitting conclusion to this month of celebrations. Each ceremony, unique in its way, added a beautiful chapter to an already meaningful year.
Why share these stories? Not to boast about my busy social calendar, but to reflect on something deeper.
As someone who has experienced the end of a significant relationship, I've learned that other people's happiness doesn't diminish our own journey. These weddings reminded me that love continues to flourish in many forms, and being present for these moments of joy is a gift in itself.
If there's one thing I hope readers take away from this story, it's this: when someone invites you to share in their happiness – be it a wedding, a simple gathering, or any celebration – say yes if you can.
Find a way to be there. These moments of connection, of shared joy, are what make life rich and meaningful. While weddings mark the beginning of a couple's journey together, our presence as friends and family helps weave the larger tapestry of community that supports them along the way.
Sometimes the greatest gift we can give others is simply showing up, celebrating their joy as if it were our own. Because in many ways, it is.
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