Happily Ever After

It’s wedding season in the Philippines and you can especially feel the love in the air on this eve of Valentine’s Day. Flowers are being sold on the street, chocolates and sweets are on sale, and most couples have something special planned for the occasion. Growing up, I’ve always been the biggest fan of romantic comedies. Sleepless in Seattle, Notting Hill, and my personal favorite, The Wedding Singer, have all had a part in shaping my idea on love and romance. The guy would always go through some kind of hardship, end up with the girl, and live happily ever after. But, these movies never show the happily ever after. They never show what happens after the wedding car of the main characters drive off to the sunset. They never show what everyday life is like for the married couple.

I am very grateful that even if I am yet to see these scenarios played out in a movie, I was given the privilege to witness a glimpse of that in the everyday life of my parents. Looking back at these memories, it’s easy to see why there aren’t a lot of movies about married life. Marriage can get messy. There are occasional fights, misunderstandings, crying, the works. I have been a witness to some of it and at times it can be overwhelming. But I have also seen the beauty of marriage through my parents. I have seen how both my parents sacrificed for one another and for our family. I have seen how my mom would take care of my dad at all times and how dad would do the same especially when my mom fell ill.  I have even seen how my oftentimes aloof dad can bring a smile on my mom’s face when she needs it.

So much can be said about the beauty of marriage. But nothing can be more beautiful than the beautiful linkage of a man and woman made possible by the grace of God. A union that molds two individuals into one. A covenant that is bestowed the gift to bring life to the world.  As more and more stories of love get made into movies and tv shows, may we always know who and what love really is. It is God! Through the pursuing and unconditional love made real to us by Jesus. Even for us single people, this love is ever-present in the way that Christ is married to His Church. So regardless if you have a special someone to celebrate Valentines with, or you are without a partner, may we be reminded of the constant love being poured out to us through Jesus.