40 Cheers!

I was in a wedding 40 years ago today as one of the secondary sponsors to the bride and groom. Although the groom is my brother, I cannot recall now why I became a sponsor because I neither paid for the cost of the wedding or reception nor gave money to the couple. Yet I was one, broke as a shattered tempered glass of a cheap cellphone. Don’t tell them but I still owe them a wedding gift.

Nearly two generations ago, there are just a few details that I can still recall:

-There were as many priests as there were wedding guests. The wedding mass was concelebrated by half the entire congregation of the #OblatesOfMaryImmaculate (#OMI). My future sister-in-law’s beloved 𝐼𝑚𝑎̂ (mother), who was an honorary Oblate, invited them all to make certain the wedding pushes thru.

-I was the candle sponsor. I must have focused so much on the light that day that it didn’t depart from me anymore. That light still shines brightly in my lighting design business today, #ToespinLighting.

-Above all, with that same light, I met my future wife, Rissa, who happens to be the bride’s first cousin. Although it took another 13 years before we tied our own, it was the start of my heart beating for a reason. Where do I begin to tell the story? I begin on that glorious day 40 years ago. One thrilling story was sealed with God’s blessings. Another begun. In a place worthy of such.

Without Gani & Gigi, I would not have met my own lovely bride. I would not have Andre, my chief barista and Nikkei as my children. And I would not have this perfect barista-grade coffee to enjoy.

Happy 40th anniversary, Gani and Gigi. My family is forever indebted to you.

Forty cheers! #MyCafeNotes #40thWeddingAnniversary