Prenuptial Shoot

The prenuptial photos inspired from our journey that has spanned several major cities in the world and how we relate for each month. It’s a full year countdown that fans an ember of desire for more, a wanderlust almost — this wanting to look through new windows, walk on more unknown streets, knowing full well that there is still a lot out there to learn from, embrace, live for as we journey towards September 2015. Part of making your engagement session successful is wearing a look that matches your chosen concept. To help you look pretty for your prenuptial shoot, here are some tips. Brainstorm, Think of your props and accessories, Stick to hair and makeup that matches several sets of clothes, If you want, have your trial hair and makeup session on the day of the shoot, Prepare a retouch kit, Be friends with your HMUA! #muchosgraciasEms&Cielo

The Proposal

PS: Fast track to what sealed the deal... Finally, during a trip to Maldives, ’the boyfriend' took me out for dinner somewhere overlooking the beauty of the resort, and invited me for a walk by the sea. Then he got down on one knee (out of panicked probably he knelt down on both knees when I was all speechless, lol!) in front of candle-lit dinner and just as fireworks lit up the night sky, asked me to be his wife. And so, needless to say, with all the combined soundtrack of every romantic movie shot in this island playing in my head — quite helplessly — I said yes. But what girl would not fall for such cheesiness?

When I think about it, those of us who see through eyes of faith know that there is really no such thing as a coincidence. Through all the apparent accidents and chances, through all our decisions and even mistakes, God moves in our lives and He guides us even if we know it not. Our love story will always be my favorite story, a journey that has spanned several major cities in the world and that has led us to prepare to ‘our forever' (there is one indeed), I am convinced that our Lord, through all of eternity, has created — no, custom-made — Charisse and Ferdinand for each other. That said, when you look up far beyond the clouds and pray, may you include us through all the flurry of things and the madness that goes with wedding planning.

Officially BF-GF

PS: This was my blog when we become officially bf-gf. https://www.facebook.com/notes/ahriss-lang/the-boyfriend-gods-gift/10153103826228357 There was silence, a screaming hesitation accompanied by an odd silent glee. We were there taking the next step. Little back track, I for the past nth years have relished my alone time. I loved it. The love that surrounds me was more than enough. I've mastered the art of pushing people away that shows interest. I loved owning my own time. Not thinking what someone else thought. Not waiting for anyone to call but family-friends-colleagues. My cell phone would run out of battery life — and so? I ate ice cream at 3 a.m. during a movie marathon. No neuroses. Bliss.

In the modern Waterloo of romance, Facebook, people of all kinds, the romantic landscape has changed. Each year it gets harder to fall in love. People get more complicated. I consider myself quite liberal in some cases but I find luxury and an undeniable beauty in having something old-fashioned instead of something new. In my time table, I can seriously consider entertaining again when I reached 30. I know, it’s pathetic. But it’s my thing and my rules. I’ve had my own share of sad stories, enough to give me the moral authority to criticize modern romances. Love in all its cheesy glory, greatness and mystery, all the clichés — “It will just happen,” “You’ll know when you’re heart is ready to rehabbed pains, fears, longings and euphorias like new,” "Love finds you at the right place, right time and with the right person," etc. — all hold water, I’ve come to believe.

There’s just the idea of it first, and then the synchronized feeling of giddiness, and general joy that sort of validates it. Suddenly, it feels real. It was sometime around 2nd quarter of last year when I received his unexpected message, I honestly thought he was into a business proposal. I told him right away that I was not interested. Persistence is understatement when you received calls and sms everyday. So I gave him the benefit of the doubt. Months passed and admittedly my heart expands when he travelled all the way from PH to Turkey to join me and my best buddy for short holiday trip.

Somehow, I thought, boy he must be serious indeed. And so I started to pay more attention and started discerning and praying. Few more months passed, I already felt the smile in my heart long before it even reaches my lips. I was due for exit anywhere but to my home country as requirement work-wise. And without a thought, he traveled again with us to SG/KL/Bali.

Very simply put, this man makes me happy. It really is as basic as that. But on a deeper level, it is as essential as that. Now he is on vacation and would be gone for quite sometime — I thought he'll be preoccupied thus lie-low. But I am thankful and grateful for his many unexpected ways (thank you for the flowers, thank you for not bothering your cousin. And the self-made card, it just totally blown me away!). It can be intoxicating, the remarkable respect he gave to the people dear to me (right Mum?lol.), his real deal of patience for almost a year, at best it keeps me well in that cloud.

I get bright-eyed and weak-kneed (I never want to lose that), my heart thumping passionately for this man who sends me flowers and cards without occasion. He makes me feel alive, whether it is a good or bad day with him. As with any rule, I break my own rules. I don’t really mind, in my own odd way. It’s nice to know that deep inside I’m still a silly romantic. The truest comfort comes from knowing I’m not afraid to be pathetic. All the seemingly ordinary days that I know sufficiently feed this extraordinary experience called being in love.

It Started Here

After 'The Proposal' last year, I thought of a new blog all about my wedding preparation. Of course, as mundane plans usually go it just never happened. I kept putting it off. But as luck would have it, I decided on a whim after holidays had indulgently wrought, to just make a go for it. This is an outlet for the many little thoughts that incessantly spin like happy ribbons in and around. Over and above that, it would grant me a million ways to document the roller coaster of emotions as we Journey to Forever!