We all had weekend duties on April 19th. The Family Practice residents (including me) and Bob Amaya, the ICU nurse, were all were having our late Easter lunch. The floors were quiet so we had a little bit more time to enjoy our food and socialize. We all were hysterically laughing because Bob went over to the Easter display, got a dyed Easter egg and then peeled and ate it. (it was about a week old)
Midday was the usual time that the OOD’s (Officer of the Day) did their hospital rounds. He poured himself coffee and approached our table. I noticed right away that he wearing his summer white uniform, with a very polished gold- plated belt buckle, and shiny black shoes. Bob introduced all of us to Lt JG Charles Cambus. That evening, after dinner, the lieutenant and I spend several hours talking.
We got married four months after we met. After that weekend duty, Costa (and yes, I called him that even then) and I got to know each other better. He wanted to take me to NJ to meet his family. My family, being more conservative, did not think it was proper for a single girl to travel with a guy to meet his family. In mid-May, Costa and I became engaged. He knew that if his tour of duty ended, it would be difficult to go back to the Philippines. Ours was a unique courtship. We wrote each other mini notes on paper table napkins. (yes, I still have them.) We were required to attend the marriage preparation workshop, Navy and religious) People in the hospital had doubts and questions of my true intentions. We were married on August 15, 1987, and that was 29 years ago. Yes, the lieutenant and I!
We have weaved and continue to weave many, many memories and milestones. Seventeen years hence, in August 2004, I received a phone call from the Bishop Savas Zembillas, the Chancellor of the Archdiocese at that time (now the Metropolitan of the Pittsburg Metropolis) telling me that Costa was going to be ordained on the 15th of the month. I remember where I was at that time. I was less than a mile from home. He asked if I was seated, so I stopped at the CVS parking lot on Park Hill Plaza in Fitchburg to listen to what he was going to say. The next two weeks after that was a whirlwind. It was a beautiful experience, his ordination into the diaconate. Twelve years ago, I witnessed Costa’s desire to be a a member of the clergy, as he held the silver pitcher and bowl for almost the entire duration of the hierarchical liturgy, with his head veiled by a pure white towel. (The Metropolitan used the water to wash his hands before preparing the gifts for communion.) I saw his humility and seriousness in what he was going to be after that day.
This August 15th, we celebrate two precious milestones: our marriage and his ordination. In retrospect, I now understand why we were married the day we were married. The questions were answered. God had a special plan for both of us: for him to be a priest and for me to be a presvytera. What very honorable, yet very humbling roles. We couldn’t do it without God being in our lives. He is the true Author.
Midday was the usual time that the OOD’s (Officer of the Day) did their hospital rounds. He poured himself coffee and approached our table. I noticed right away that he wearing his summer white uniform, with a very polished gold- plated belt buckle, and shiny black shoes. Bob introduced all of us to Lt JG Charles Cambus. That evening, after dinner, the lieutenant and I spend several hours talking.
We got married four months after we met. After that weekend duty, Costa (and yes, I called him that even then) and I got to know each other better. He wanted to take me to NJ to meet his family. My family, being more conservative, did not think it was proper for a single girl to travel with a guy to meet his family. In mid-May, Costa and I became engaged. He knew that if his tour of duty ended, it would be difficult to go back to the Philippines. Ours was a unique courtship. We wrote each other mini notes on paper table napkins. (yes, I still have them.) We were required to attend the marriage preparation workshop, Navy and religious) People in the hospital had doubts and questions of my true intentions. We were married on August 15, 1987, and that was 29 years ago. Yes, the lieutenant and I!
We have weaved and continue to weave many, many memories and milestones. Seventeen years hence, in August 2004, I received a phone call from the Bishop Savas Zembillas, the Chancellor of the Archdiocese at that time (now the Metropolitan of the Pittsburg Metropolis) telling me that Costa was going to be ordained on the 15th of the month. I remember where I was at that time. I was less than a mile from home. He asked if I was seated, so I stopped at the CVS parking lot on Park Hill Plaza in Fitchburg to listen to what he was going to say. The next two weeks after that was a whirlwind. It was a beautiful experience, his ordination into the diaconate. Twelve years ago, I witnessed Costa’s desire to be a a member of the clergy, as he held the silver pitcher and bowl for almost the entire duration of the hierarchical liturgy, with his head veiled by a pure white towel. (The Metropolitan used the water to wash his hands before preparing the gifts for communion.) I saw his humility and seriousness in what he was going to be after that day.
This August 15th, we celebrate two precious milestones: our marriage and his ordination. In retrospect, I now understand why we were married the day we were married. The questions were answered. God had a special plan for both of us: for him to be a priest and for me to be a presvytera. What very honorable, yet very humbling roles. We couldn’t do it without God being in our lives. He is the true Author.
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| Our First Dance; August 15, 1987 |
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| First Liturgy, September 2004: Holy Trinity Church in Fitchburg |
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| During Marianne and Richard's Wedding, July 2, 2016 |
