The End of the Trail

Lito's Proposal to Arlyn from thisbeara on Vimeo.

Let me tell you from my point of view how I became the happiest and luckiest girl in the planet today: 

engaged - October 12, 2008

Being Lito’s partner in our wedding photography business, we have seen couples get engaged and tie the knot. We have witnessed couples express their love in the most unique of ways. You could say, I am a typical Libran—an idealistic hopeless romantic. I have cried in wedding movies—from 50first dates to commercials, anything that would denote engagements. I have been dreaming of how I would get engaged ever since I saw Julie Andrews’ character, Maria sing her out when she got engaged in The Sound of Music.

October 12, 2008 is my 27th

Lito with the ring... 

 birthday. I have told my best friend, Belle a lot of times—all I really wanted was for Lito to let me know that he feels what I feel. I didn’t know that Belle, amongst my cries of despair, is one of Lito’s elves. All along, Lito was planning this proposal for 3 months.

It was a Sunday, I woke up late—savoring the weekend. I woke up with 32 messages in my phone and 12 missed calls from well-wishers. I spent lunch with my family and went to mass at 3pm. And I never received any text or call from Lito. I texted him, “Dy, did you forget about me na??”. He replied, “nope, you’re always on my mind. See you later. Happy birthday.” It was that simple. As was his instruction. That I stay home and I will be picked up at 7pm.

At around 6pm, Belle was in my room, helping me get ready. I was asking her a lot of questions because if you know me, I rarely dress up or fix my hair. So there we were, talking… me grumbling because I was hungry, I don’t know where I am going and I am about to get frustrated because of Lito snobbing me the whole day. The crazy best friend of mine just told me not to expect too much or enjoy my day. Things she said that never gave it away.. knowing her, it took a lot of willpower not to blurt it out to my face.

trail of candles leading to staircase

At around 730pm, Peter (Lito’s bestfriend) picked us up. I was confused because I wondered why Lito wasn’t picking me up. And I got this very nervous feeling that I cannot put into place. My heart was hammering my chest and I was about to cry but I don’t know why. When we arrived at their house, Peter just said, “Wabs, when you go inside, just follow the candles”. And then, I knew…. I was shaking already.
When I went inside, I saw a trail of candles going up. I can hear a violin playing one of our songs (Rey) but my focus was up. My tears were flowing, my knees were shaking. At the back of my mind, I was saying, “OMG, OMG, OMG”… I can feel the spotlight (Mona) on my face, I know there is someone taking the video (Jurly) and the photo (Jayson) and some people behind (Aisee, Gerard, Lito’s parents, Tanshot, Bryan) but I seem not to mind. I wanted to see him… And at the last step of the stairs… I saw him at the end of the trail, kneeling down. He was smiling so big… and I knelt down with him.

I asked him, “What is this? What are you doing?” again and again. He just smiled and said 

crying together

(From what I remember), “We’ve been together for such a long time and all I can say is you complete me and you make me so happy. And I want to spend forever with you. Would you please spend forever with me?” and I just said, “Oh my god, yes!” and he showed me a very beautiful diamond ring, took it out from the box and shakingly placed it on my ring finger. And we cried together and we embraced for long… and I can hear clapping from behind. We stood up, embraced again and faced the crowd.
It was then that I knew, Rey Lecciones (a good friend of ours) flew all the way from Clark, Pampanga, to play the violin for us. And I see most of our good friends. We went to his parents’ room and they hugged me. I was still shaking and crying when we went down and everybody was laughing and chatting and that’s it!

With this, I would like to take this opportunity to thank those wonderful people who made my dream proposal happen: *  Belle, for keeping the secret all these months… Thank you so much for being with me all these years, for witnessing all that I have gone through and for the support.
* For Rey—it would have been a silent walk without you. I appreciate you coming over so much.
* Jayson and Aisee- Fa and Mre, Lito and I are more than blessed to have you both in our lives. The ring and pictures are perfect. Thanks so much.
* Peter – Wabs, you played your role well. You have been an amazing best friend to Lito and I am glad you were there with him during this time.
* Gerard—thank you for lighting the way. It was real nice to see you in support of Lito last night.
* Jurly--- thank you for not revealing the secret to me in YM. And for capturing all the videos—the behind the scenes, everything.. thank you thank you.
*  Mama MM- for crying all the way from Ozamis.
*  Lito’s family--- for the support, for understanding my situation, for welcoming me into your family. I am honored, proud and happy to be a part of it.
* My family--- for being happy for me.. my mom, for being my best friend at home, my dad for trying to get well so he can have his last dance with me, for the tears.. for my brothers and sister and Mama.
And of course --- to Lito:
I just want to let you know my wab, that I am happy, and that I am blessed that our trail started years ago in highschool, and at last, I see you at the end of my trail. I have said yes to the proposal, not just because you made my dream come true but because it's you. Had it been any other proposal from you, I would still say yes. But it has to be with you. There is no one else I would wish to see waiting for me at the end-- for you make me happy, you are my best friend, my partner... My journey begins and ends with you and I will always say yes, will always be at your side to make you feel as much as you make me feel.... 

Lito's elves (L-R): Peter, Bryan, Mama Santa, Aisee
 (Jayson took the pic), (me and Lito), Jurly, Mona, Belle & Rey

I woke up today with a big smile on my face as I recalled this very wonderful dream. Bu then, something felt good on my finger and when I looked down at it, I realized that it wasn’t a dream after all. It was real. Lito told Belle that his dilemma was what he would say. He was not good with words, he told her. But little did he know, he has always been good with it, in ways he cannot see. He has captured my heart again and again with his love and his understanding. And I am going to be his wife. That said it all.

hugging together-- check babies at back :) 

Notes:
- Dates of the wedding:
Church Wedding: Apr 25, 2009
Ceremonial Rites: Jul 11, 2009
- Levi and Muriel are at Lito's back when he proposed
- Proposal Idea—from Friends Season 6 Ender. Monica’s proposal to Chandler. This has been my dream wedding proposal. And Lito made it happen.. 
-written a day after the proposal (Oct 13, 2008)