December 10, 2021 - From “Ms.” to “Mrs.”

December 24, 2020 - I suddenly received a photo from my best friend. It was a photo of her, Quenie with a ring on her finger - apparently Rhian her boyfriend for how many years already proposed marriage to her. That very moment tears welled up in my eyes as I made an IG story about it, I was beyond happy.

Quenie and I became classmates for the first time on 6th grade. I was a transferee sitting upfront because I was small and needs adjustment to fit in my new section. Quen on the other hand was seated 4-5 rows back, if I’m not mistaken she was seated next to Kevin or was it Dexy. We barely knew each other then. On our first year in High School, we became classmates again. We both were sheltered girls, our parents would bring us to and get us from school, still we barely interacted with each other. Until we started carpooling together. I can’t even recall now how we started talking then but I know for sure it was February 5, 2008 when Quenie and me along with Darwin declared ourselves as best friends.

4 years in high school but only in the same section twice. Quenie always have that smile on her face which makes her my opposite in a way. I wasn’t really an all smiles kind of person. She’s the one who always goes an extra mile for me while I was always on the receiving end. Looking back I don’t actually know what Quen’s favorite color is, her favorite food, her favorite cartoon character. I browsed through her Facebook the other day and apparently I have missed so much because I have been such an absentee friend. However, being with her has always felt like home to me. I never feel out of place when she’s around. She feels like a sister from a different set of parents. Her family is the same too. Tito and Tita would treat me like their own daughter, even her sisters and cousins would welcome me with beautiful smiles across their faces.

December 10, 2021 I woke up feeling excited and giddy as if I was the one getting married. As early as 7AM the make up team started putting on make up on the entourage. I sat down waiting for my turn and looked at my best friend getting her hair and make up done, I can only guess how she felt that time but I’m guessing she is the happiest. It had drizzled a bit but the rain stopped when we arrived in church. The church was beautifully decorated fitting for a beautiful bride and her beautiful wedding. Quen walked down the aisle and I can’t help but shed tears, I felt really happy seeing my best friend getting married to the love of her life, a man who deserves her and makes her truly happy and for that I thank Rhian, the man who walked into Quenie’s life and swept her off her feet. I guess Rhian is the answer to our prayers, because I also prayed that Quenie would find someone who can take care of her, love her, make her happy and be with her in difficult moments.

I saw the pure joy in Quenie’s eyes and I hope Rhian would be able to preserve that though I know marriage is not always roses and butterflies, I just wish they’d be able to find the silver lining in every difficulty. I saw Tito Noel and Tita Racquel’s proud yet a bit sad faces. Their eldest is now going to be a wife but it does not change the fact that Quenie is their daughter. And now they gained a son too, one that they don’t have. Quen’s sisters and cousin were definitely happy and proud too.

I was asked to make a speech, one I thought of but did not prepare. I kept it short because I did not want to become a crying mess on her special day - it was Quenie’s day after all, one that I could not miss and one that I can’t mess. I had so much to say but I kept it short with wishing her the best and telling her that this time I’m not only here for her but I am also here for Rhian and the family that they’ll be building together, always. 🦋