This church is special to us. Khang actually asked me to be his girlfriend on the front steps of this church after mass on June 25, 2005. Who knew we’d be married 11 years later? Not us, we almost broke up during the first week of dating! It’s seen Khang and I flourish under its roof at many different stages in our relationship. In theory, our church and its community watched us grow. I remember the priest telling me once to practice “humility” in showing my affection with Khang and recall the nun bribing Khang to play the role as Joseph because I was Mary in a Christmas play. Oh those were the days.
I think some might feel nervous about having a church full of people focused on them the entire time, but I felt very comfortable up at that alter. I think it’s because Khang and I had been up there together multiple times before.
The ceremony was a blur. However, during our profession of love there was a short, clear, and vivid moment when I looked up to see Khang’s eyes welling up with tears. It was only a glance and I later asked him about it. He admitted he was on the verge of tears and tried very hard to not blink so they wouldn’t fall down his face. Khang is not one for public emotion. So I was pretty happy to catch him when I did.
I finished my profession of love at around 4am the day of the wedding. Not because I procrastinated! I found the right words to say that morning…I guess all the emotions and realizations finally hit me. Here’s what I remember:
“Khang,
Words cannot describe how blessed I am to have found you before finding myself.
My heart has not been still since age 15 because of your crazy and beautiful love.
Growing up together has allowed our relationship to evolve. The truth is…our love…has and will always be changing.
Because our love isn’t just an emotion but a continuous thread of actions towards one common goal. I used to think this goal was to make you happy. But I was wrong.
I learned from Day One of Marriage Preparation that my job from this day on as your wife is to make sure you make it into heaven by the grace of God when the time comes.
Now this means many things, but I’m overwhelmed by the thought that I get to love you as much as God loves you.
I know it won’t be easy. Rest assured, I’m ready.
I’m ready to…
Help you grow,
Help you explore,
Help you discover.
Because with every passing day you my dearest only get better with age and with that so does our love and our relationship towards God.
And I know with His guidance,
our love knows no limits.
You are my greatest adventure Mr. Pham and I look forward to continuing this beautiful life we’ve created together thus far.”
Or something like that. Yes, all from memory. I’ll never forget it.
After our ceremony, things just started rolling.
The bestest wedding party giving our very bestest attempt at “serious faces”. Naaaaaaailed it. Maybe. Still waiting on video.
But no joke, this group of beautiful people did an hour-long photo/videoshoot in summer weather. In formal attire. In June. In the South y’all.
Up next was the reception. Or what I like to think…a series of epic dancing proportions.