One down, seven to go!

We all wondered who's going to tie the knot first. We even had our bet but we didn't get it right. When Mark announced during one of our regular video calls that he and Pallas were pregnant, we didn't believe it. We confirmed, reconfirmed and that's when we realized we're no longer kids who used to run to the nearest fast-food chain when we were frustrated with our examination results. We're done with worrying about getting flat 1s (the equivalent to A+) in all our written reports, presentations, case studies, business proposals, and the like. Now, we worry about budgeting whatever money we get from our respective work to pay bills (utilities, rent, mortgage, loans), set aside some for recreation and leisure and others for savings and investment.

The moment we realized Mark was serious, that he was indeed going to be a father in a few months' time, that he was getting married before we knew it, our excitement was all over the place. I remember the shouts of joy and disbelief that all of life's greatest changes were about to take place in Mark's life and as for the rest of us, we'll have a front seat reservation to partake in this once-in-a-lifetime event. After more than a quarter from the date of the official announcement, the wedding of the year happened. It took place in one of my favorite small churches along Jakosalem St. Of course, we were all there (except for Ning who got dengue fever, sadly we weren't complete). Being the groom's closest friends, we had to prepare a short dance number. We slept at Jelo's crib the night before the wedding and practiced our special dance presentation. My friends are great dancers; they used to be champions in college-wide dance contests. Well, I'm not a great dancer, but I tried! Haha! At least I got all the steps right during the actual presentation! 😂

Now it's just fun to see photos of our growing family in our official Bogo pose, a tradition we've managed to carry on up to this day and be reminded of our little wish back in the day: "Let's all settle, get married, raise kids, and grow old together in one village one day" I remember it very clearly like it's just yesterday. Tho it might be a bit childish when we dreamed of growing old together, we're actually living up to that childish dream. After a decade and a year, we're still together maybe not in close proximity to one another as we wished but we still see each other every now and then, talk regularly in our group chat, go on scheduled family vacations where people had to block off anything else and have to be present on our family gathering. We've scheduled our family time for this year already; we also have a place in mind, #Bohol2022. I haven't been in Bohol for such a long time. I'm excited! Everyone from Manila and Leyte will come and join our yearly gathering.

I still dream of growing old with this bunch of kids at heart. I survived all my dark days because I'm surrounded by such patient, loving, kind, caring, and understanding individuals. And what's more pleasing than staying this way until we all meet our Creator. I'm grateful, no other words, just grateful for their lives.

Now the question is, who's next to tie the knot? Hmmm....For sure, not me haha