Sunday, September 21, 2014

Fifty Years in the Making

1964: Mama and Papa on their Baguio City honeymoon. 

Half of our family, the one influenced by the life-of-the-party Estrella genes, would have thrown a big bash with at least two hundred select few to celebrate our parents' Golden Wedding Anniversary.

The other half, the side marked by that wry Sebastian humor, would have recommended to ditch the guests and enjoy the banquet by ourselves--complete with serenading violinists, multiple delectable courses and large floral bouquets.

But the half, who would have partied, would have wanted to be surprised!

And the half, who wanted fine dining, would have invariably said, "Bahala si Mama." (Let Mama decide.)

Poor kids, with their artistic sensibilities, not to mention 14,000 km separating them, had to come up with a surprise that would involve all those variables: tons of well-wishers, a complicated menu, and the grandkids.

It took fifty years in the making but here it is: a blog that celebrates the work and love in the Eve-Amor union, the merging of Sebastian stoicism and Estrella joy, encapsulated in their email address, "sebastar21."  In this blog, you will find what few anecdotes we can ask them without being too obvious, sprinkled with the few pictures that did not get damaged in the flood that overtook their house. 

So click on the buttons above and discover how they survived and thrived in each decade of their marriage.  Do leave your greetings and comments, including family-friendly stories from those years that you witnessed.  And send them good vibes and prayers for more years of health and prosperity.

On September 21, we will unveil to them this small corner of the blogosphere, as they sip Prosecco mixed with orange juice at the bed-and-breakfast inn down south in Virginia, with a granddaughter on each side providing the oohs and ahhs.  Yes, they will be surprised; their bellies will anticipate the four-course fondue lunch; and their hearts, we hope, will be filled with the good will that you send their way.

Diane, Omar, Dennis maybe in 1972

As they say in our family, the Renaissance Family strikes again!


Diane, Omar and Dennis

4 comments:

  1. One by one each year flew by, Since you both said 'I do.' Forty years of memories, shared by the two of you. From big events and holidays. To simple daily pleasures, some tearful times along life's way, some joys that can't be measured...One by one each year now gone, but still they're yours forever...Each and every memory, of Fifty years together!....Rhea Salazar (New York)

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  2. Happy 50th Anniversary! Wishing you many more years of happiness.

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  3. Happy Anniversary Mr & Mrs. Sebastian! Wishing you another 50 blissful years....you are blessed to have a beautiful family and grand children!

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  4. Hi Eve:

    I meant to send this to you on your anniversary but for some reason, I wasn't able to do it. I jus want to send it to you and Pare now:

    It is about finding your soulmate.
    If you have found a smile that is the sweetest one you've know,
    If you have heard, within a voice, the echoes of your own,
    If you have felt a touch that stirs the longings of your heart,
    And still can feel that closeness in the moments you are apart,
    If you have filled with wonder at the way two lives can blend
    To weave a perfect pattern that is seamless, end to end,
    If you believe some things in life are simply meant to be,
    Then you have found your soulmate, your heart's own destiny.

    May the love and happiness you are enjoying together continue!

    Much love,

    Ruby

    That poem is by Emily Matthews, one of my favourites

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Thank you for sharing your thoughts and kind words to our parents. Maraming Salamat Po!