How We Almost Missed Our Wedding

Did you know that we almost didn’t get married 5 years ago?

My husband and I still talk and laugh about this blooper to this day. Such happy and hilarious memories!

But before I dive into that thrilling detail, let me share with you how I met Jan Ray (this is probably my version of How I Met Your Father 🤣).

He Had Me at Hello

We met through mutual friends: my close friend (PG) made a new friend (Mark Munel) who happened to be a close friend of Jan Ray. It was July 2010 when I started hanging out with Munel, but it took a couple of months before Jan Ray and I crossed paths.

Munel is a singer and performs with his band at popular bars in the city. In December 2010, he landed another gig with a newly opened bar next to our house. I was ecstatic.

As an introvert and home buddy, I was never one who always hung out at clubs and bars until the wee hours of the night. At that time, I had just passed the nursing exam and was still looking for opportunities to work as a nurse. I thought it was time to experience something different, meet new people and make exciting memories outside my comfort zone. And that bar next door was what I call a stepping stone. LOL

Excited to see Munel on his new gig, I went together with PG to show our support. I honestly thought we were the only ones present, but Munel had a wider network of friends. It was expected that someday, I’d bump into one of them.

And that’s how I bumped into Jan Ray who was also there (with another friend) to watch Munel perform on stage. He introduced us to each other and Jan Ray quickly offered his hand. “Hi, I’m Jan Ray,” he said. And the rest was history.

We made it official in July 2011 and had a blast with our relationship. After nine years together, we decided to take our commitment to the next level.

So What Happened In Between?

After obtaining our marriage license, we missed one critical step. We were supposed to forward the said license to the officiator to acquire a pre-marriage certificate, but we didn’t.

Now, hear me out. We weren’t exactly instructed on what to do after we received the license. I honestly thought that was it. As soon as we realized this mistake, we rushed to the judge’s office and arrived at closing time. In addition to the pre-marriage certificate, we needed to secure an affidavit to change the venue, issued by a lawyer. Mind you, this was on a Friday two days before our ceremony, which meant no office would be open till Monday! Just imagine the anxiety!

Fortunately, I secured an affidavit on the same day (Big thanks to LL, a former classmate and now a lawyer who helped!). The only thing that needed to be added was the pre-marriage certificate. Luckily, the judge’s secretary agreed to meet us on Sunday morning, our wedding day.

After enduring two sleepless nights, we were grateful for this kind soul who helped us process our pre-marriage certificate. I remember her saying, “Well, it’s not like you get married multiple times!”

Despite the challenges we faced, we remained resilient and emerged triumphant.

A New Chapter of Adventure

On May 5, 2019, Jan Ray and I exchanged vows at a simple and intimate civil wedding ceremony officiated by Judge Raul Barbarona at Sherwood Bay Resort. The venue boasted an overlooking view of Tagbilaran Bay and a beautiful sunset that painted us in pink and golden hues.

It was a joyous occasion spent with our dearest loved ones and close friends and despite the bloopers and mishaps we encountered, I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Five years into our marriage, we’ve been blessed with a little bundle of sunshine who brings brightness and joy to our lives.

And so, as we celebrate five years of love, laughter and the unexpected twists life throws our way, I raise my glass to the journey we’ve shared and the adventures yet to come. Here’s to many more years of growing together, cherishing every moment and embracing the beauty of our unique story.

Cheers to us, and to the endless possibilities that lie ahead.

Cheers to five years and to a lifetime of love!

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