Best friends in love

Gentle rays of sunshine streamed through the colorful stained glass windows of the Shrine of Jesus, the Way, the Truth and the Life, where Nikki Bichara and Hansel Alvarez listened intently to the homily delivered on their wedding day.

They held hands as officiating priest Monsignor Bong Lo reminded them to allow Jesus to be a special part of their married life. He said, “I know that you two started off as friends. May you always remain good friends throughout your marriage. It is God’s plan for you to live happily ever after. Believe in this. It is your destiny.”

The couple’s first kiss as husband and wife drew warm applause from family and friends.

The very pretty bride Nikki, daughter of Mia and the late Carlos Victor Bichara, is a sales manager at Rockwell Land. Hansel, handsome son of Henry and Nellie Alvarez, is an engineer and construction manager at Rockwell Land.

A radiant standout in the wedding crowd was Nikki’s gorgeous mother Mia Bichara. With a dazzling smile, she said, “Being widowed at 26 was painfully difficult for me. But having my daughter Nikki and seeing how happy she is today gives me immeasurable joy.”

The couple with the groom’s sister-in-law Winnie, sister Joy, mother Nellie, grandfather Luis, father Henry, brother Dexter, brother-in-law Jason and nieces and nephews Magnus, Amber, Heather and Ginger.

In her wedding speech, Mia’s heart was filled to the brim with overflowing gratitude to God and to her family. She continued to say: “I know that both of you, Nikki and Hansel, have been constantly planning for the past few months for this day to be everything you ever wanted it to be. Nikki is beautiful, talented, smart, highly organized and headstrong. Everything in her life is well planned, but falling in love and meeting Mr. Right was not part of her plan. Hansel, I couldn’t be more proud to have you as a son-in-law and I am honored to welcome you into our family. Take good care of my daughter, just as I always have.”

She continued: “The two of you have found what we are all looking for in a marriage, your ideal person, your best friend, your soul mate, the One. Like your loving grandparents Anacleta and Alfonso Bichara, who served as an inspiration to everyone, they had a happy marriage that lasted 58 fruitful years. Papa Fonso always said, ‘Marry someone who has strong faith in God, because He is the source of love in your marriage.’ And I agree. How I wish your late father were here to share this happy moment with me.”

A reception highlight enjoyed by all the guests at the Rockwell Tent was a lengthy medley of period dances brilliantly choreographed by Nikki’s aunt, Maritess Bichara del Rosario. Performers were Hansel, Nikki and all her cousins who are fondly called the Bichara rascals. Oh my! I was dying to jump in and join them. Dancing talent is certainly in their genes!

Congratulations Hansel and Nikki! May your marriage be a joyful dance medley that never ends.

(Would love to hear from you at miladayjewels@yahoo.com)