Sweeter than the usual marriage proposals

After eight years of love and friendship, we both knew what we want. We want each other for the rest of our lives and we want to make it legit. So am I expecting a romantic and mushy marriage proposal? No, I have never seen it coming. Nah, don't get me wrong. I know the soon to be ex-bf loves me so much and want me to be his wife. But I know what is more essential to the ex-bf - he wanted to show his sincere intention of  marrying me by formally asking my hand from my mother. 

The ex-bf want the presence of his father before he ask my hand from my mother so we have waited for the soon to be FIL (father in law)'s vacation in the country before we set the date. Came February of this year, the soon to be FIL finally set his foot in his homeland. He told us that we should set a date of "meet the parents" (pamamanhikan) before his departure to Jeddah, SA on May 2012. 

My schedule was almost fully booked in April so whenever there was an available weekend I always insist to my soon to be ex-bf to pick the date.  On the last week of April, we have yet to set the schedule of "meet the parents".  I am getting pressured because if "meet the parents" will not happen before FIL leave the Philippines this year, when will it push through? 2013? Nah! Another year of waiting. I can't wait no more.

Thanks for the Labor Day, it's holiday on 1st of May. Finally the date was set! But another challenge. Where       is the best place to set the "meet the parents"? I have suggested to the soon to be ex-bf that we do it out of our home. Our home is not big enough to accommodate too many people. Besides we need space where both sides of the family can sit together to discuss about the wedding. I have asked my mother if it's alright with her that soon to be ex-bf and soon to be in laws do the "pamamanhikan" outside our home. My mother was agreeable on my idea so soon to be ex-bf and I have another assignment to do: to find the perfect venue.

On a Friday before May 1, we sourced out for a venue with three criteria: 1. it should be accessible to both parties more importantly to the soon to be bride's place; 2. it should have good ambiance where both family can at least privately discuss about the wedding and; 3. it should have good food. :)  

Since my work is in the vicinity of Libis, Quezon City, I have suggested Eastwood to be the venue. First criteria, check! It is both accessible from Marikina and Pasig. So where in Eastwood? My first suggestion -  Seafood Island. Great food plus the price is affordable. Soon to be ex-bf do not agree with my suggestion. He told me that while Seafood Island boast great food, it is not ideal for people who will just meet for the first time. Well, he have a good point here. In Seafood Islands, you have to eat like military men in a "boodle fight", in which food, piled on top of banana leaves laid out on long tables, is to be taken with bare hands washed with water from jugs prepared on this side, which "eating combat" begins when the signal is given.

After an hour or two, we have not yet found the perfect place so we are thinking of second option, Shangri-La Plaza Mall in. God is good all the time! Upon dropping by Something's Fishy, we have found the perfect venue for the very important event on our relationship. Second criteria, check! It is a comfy place, perfect for meet the parents. We can even stay on the function room located at the rear area of the place if there is only few customers on the day of the event. Good deal! Third criteria, check! We opted to avail the eat all you can dinner of Something's Fishy. Soon to be ex-bf thought it has many advantages: 1. Our head will no longer ache on what food to order, for sure it will be difficult to pick dishes that will satisfy both sides. 2. Food satisfaction will be assured, everyone will have a chance to opt what he will or will not eat. Lucky to have a handsome yet sensible soon to be ex-bf. ;)

Days before 1st of May, I feel nervous and anxious on what will be the outcome of the "pamamanhikan." But  aside from the nervousness, I feel excitement and joy because our parents will finally meet and we can now have their blessings as we tie the knot.

Came 1st of May, call time is 6:00 p.m at Something's Fishy. I wore simple shirt, jeans and make up just the way I look when my soon to be ex-bf fell in love with me. (Ganda-gandahan lang) Aside from my mother and siblings, I also invited my aunties, siblings of my father (how I wish he's with me on this memorable journey of my life) to attend the event.

We arrived an hour and a half before the event because I want to tour them around the Eastwood. After strolling in the area, we proceeded at Something's Fishy. The soon to be ex-bf and in laws were already in the function room at the rear part of the area. See, we're lucky there are just few customers that day.

My mother have just one and only demand, to have a church wedding for her first born. When my FIL finally asked my hands from my mother, she have no objections. I don't know if she was ready that someone will steal her first baby for good. She was just at peace when the soon to be in laws proposed that we are going to have a church wedding sometime on June year 2013.

We are officially engaged on 1st of May 2012!

My heart was very delighted, the soon to be ex-bf manifested how sincere his intentions of marrying me. I highly appreciate how the soon to be in laws shows respect on our family by formally asking my hands from my mother. I would not trade this for a more romantic proposal because indeed this is sweeter:

"Our union of hearts is also a union of two families."