For Better or For Worse...

Six years ago, I walked down the aisle towards my soon to be husband.

As soon as the door to the church opened for my grand entrance, I marched with uncontrollable tears in my eyes (sobbing loudly) as all the thoughts of going far away after the wedding finally dawned on me... Everything will be really different and my source of comfort (family) will be too far away. I'm so glad though that those fears were just that, a figment of my overacting mind.

I did the traditional vow and everything I've said back then was just that- words that has been uttered by countless brides to their soon to be husband.

...but now, I have come to understand what those words meant and reading those traditional vow were actually harder to live by when real life does happens. I can assure you that married life is not a bed of roses and it was a lot of work and compromising but all those fights were well worth it, for it was those fights that changed us and made us who we are today.

So on this sixth year, I'd like to post those vow once again... to remind me about what we promised one another...

Grant us, O Lord, to be One Heart and One Soul

From this day forward

For better, for worse

For richer, for poorer

For sickness and in health

Till death do us part.

* * * * *

Happy 6th 

Wedding Anniversary Bibi

I Love You so much

Somewhere in Time...

I have gone sentimental again and spent a morning watching the classic, "Somewhere in Time"

It was shown in the 1980, the year I was born but I have heard about this and watched it before when I was a kid... I really love the songs in this movie and how love transcends time, and that true love is really worth it.

yeah yeah, hopeless romantic... even at this point of my life ;)

I love the lines said by Jane Seymour...

* * * * *

The man of my dreams has almost faded now. 

The one I have created in my mind. 

The sort of man each woman dreams of, in the deepest and most secret reaches of her heart. 

I can almost see him now before me. 

What would I say to him if he were really here? 

"Forgive me. I have never known this feeling. I have lived without it all my life. 

Is it any wonder, then, I failed to recognize you? 

You, who brought it to me for the first time. 

Is there any way that I can tell you how my life has changed? 

Any way at all to let you know what sweetness you have given me? 

There is so much to say. 

I cannot find the words. 

Except for these: I love you". 

Such would I say to him if he were really here. 

- Somewhere in Time

* * * * *

* November 2006

Our Wedding :)

To my hubby,

I love you...

thank you for being a dream of a husband...

the nice thing about you is that you are real  :)

...mel

HAPPY HEARTS DAY :)

Two old friends, meet again...

Heidi is an old friend of mine. We attended the same college but became friends when we became co-workers at Dexterton Corporation (then Dexterton Industrial Corporation). Both of us graduated Interior Design and was given the still new furniture category to look after. We had the whole 6th floor to ourselves and I was a witness to the courtship between Adrian and Heidi which eventually led to marriage. They now have two beautiful daughters. She was as well a witness and some sort of a bridge to me and my hubby, Karl. Heidi is actually a very good friend of mine even after I resigned from work.

 I was also the Maid of Honor in their wedding back in 2006.

* This was me and Karl  during Heidi and Adrian`s Wedding -November 14, 2006

* Mel and Heidi :) 2006

Gown: Larry Espinosa

 She is Kimi`s godmother also (2008).

* Outside Mary the Queen Church: 

(L-R) Joy, Heidi, Karl, Kimi, Mel, Ciara, Hannah- May 05, 2008

* (L-R) Heidi, Mel, Karl, Kimi and Harvey- May 05, 2008

The first meeting took place between our daughters, Aimee and Kimi last January 2009

* Aimee, Heidi, Mel and Kimi- January 04, 2009

Heidi and I have a lot in common. We have the same moral and I guess think in the same wavelength. I love talking to her and she gives really good and practical advice. One more thing we have in common is that we marry same year and the gap between our two kids is almost 2 years. Heidi gave birth September 2007 and 2009. I, on the other hand, gave birth December 2007 and 2009. Heidi`s second daughter is my goddaughter.

* Richmond Food court- January 04, 2009

* At Home- January 06, 2009

Fast forward to 2011, here we are again together for a fast catch up at Northern Delicacy. Unfortunately, I wasn`t able to take a picture of Sherilyn (2nd daughter of Heidi and Adrian)

* Kimi, Kenzo and Aimee

* Bonding over Mickey Mouse Clubhouse DVD

Older and Wiser Us....

* Heidi and Mel :)- October 30, 2011

* Heidi with first born, Aimee

* (L-R) Adrian, Heidi, Mel, Kenzo, Karl

* Another shot but Kenzo is hard to catch :(

* Busy with the DVD Player

* Kenzo with Heidi and Mel

* There! A front shot of Kenzo :)

* Close Buddies

* Kenzo and Ninong Stone

I love Aberdeen Center`s decoration. Every occasion always gets a real makeover that is always great for picture taking.

* Eerie Setup

* Scary eh

* Love the piano. Nice Touch

* Kimi looks a bit scared

* * * * *

NORTHERN DELICACY

ABERDEEN CENTRE

Richmond, B.C.

A little favor please. Take time to vote for us again

just click the link :)

VOTE FOR TREASURED MOM-ENTS

The start of something wonderful....

2 years ago…

I peeked from the bridal car in front of the church and the thought of what will happen to me in a few minutes washes over me with certain sadness and at the same time, excitement. I will be going in as a daughter and a sister and go out of that church bearing another title, I will be Karl’s wife. Oh, how surreal even to think of being someone’s wife. As the door of the car was opened and someone helped me to my feet to get me ready for my walk, I looked at the door of the church, nervous, thinking that everyone will be looking at me as I walk down that aisle. I am not very good in being in the spotlight and it would really be awkward if I do fell flat on my face right on my wedding day when I should be gliding gracefully like those countless bride I have seen in the movies.

As the door of the church started to open, I took a deep breath and reminded myself to stay calm, CALM. I never expected the wave of tears that suddenly comes pouring uncontrollably down my made up face. Uh-oh! I should have known that this would come. I am a very emotional person and would cry at people’s wedding so why would it be a shock that I am crying in my own wedding. As I look at the familiar faces smiling at me, I am more overwhelmed with this very moment. It is finally happening… I am getting married- REALLY! As I looked at the far end of the church, I could see Karl, looking at me with tears in his eyes. …Aaaw! My soon to be hubby is also as emotionally affected as I am… and the look he gave me was one that tells me that he is so happy and lucky to have…me. ME!- when I am the lucky one to have someone as sensitive and loving as him to be on my side for the rest of our lives.

A Walk to Remember...

After the church ceremony, K kept on pacing back and forth at our bridal waiting room. It was making me restless seeing him go from side to side. Chinese reception always starts late, you know, and maybe he is already hungry I thought to myself (he! he!) It wouldn’t be the first time this happens… Finally, the guests are seated and we are called down to wait outside the reception area for our grand entrance. I looked at the close double door and listens to the little sounds that did escape from the room, wherein I prepared the growing up AVP with carefully chosen songs to introduce Little Karl and Little Mel… The door suddenly open and the loud voice of our emcee echoed throughout the room introducing... Mr. and Mrs. Karl Kelvin and Melissa Ong-Chua. The spotlight was once again on our face and I was overwhelmed with the number of people with big smiles on their face as we made our way to the center of the ballroom… I was actually scared of the first dance which the planner insist that I include in the program when Karl did a speech right at the start of the recepetion. I was thinking to myself then that the speech should be done at the end…when the emcee’s voice interrupted my thought, “ … he has prepared a special moment for the woman of his dreams, for you, from Karl… then before I knew it, the familiar notes of our song, “How did you know by Gary Valenciano” began playing and the familiar but nervous voice of my new husband resonated the grand ballroom! I can’t believe he is singing a song, his first public performance, right here and right now… My husband just did the ultimate surprise! I finally realized why he was so nervous in the waiting room. he was collecting the courage for this once in a lifetime performance of his.

A look full of love...

A kiss from my new hubby

Everything after that was all a blur but it was all very memorable. I remember that everyone who was important in our life was there to share our joy. My new sister in law, Sab, did the opening prayer. My youngest brother, Ken, sang publicly as well for the first time in his life. My other brother, Eric, who rarely shows emotion made a speech for us both and ended it with a declaration of how he will miss me and that he loves me, it was one of the most memorable moment for me as well to have him admit it publicly (he! he!) and to later found out from the video that he shed a few tears upon my getting married... (uhmm he is affected!). My new dad in law did a song for us as well and my new brother in law, Kenny, did the closing speech. I would have love to go through all the preparations again if it would mean a repetition of that “Perfect Day”.

It was hands down the happiest day of my life.

I am happy to say that two years after the wedding day, I can definitely say that, that day, was the start of something really wonderful.