They recently got married. Split the ceremony into three parts with three different locations: Boracay, Tagaytay and Manila.
Robert and I were honored to witness the last leg of their three-part ceremony in Manila. This part where they finally get to have their first kiss ever. I loved that Joaqui totally went for it and thoroughly enjoyed his first kiss with his bride!
While I know that not all Christians have the same stand on the saving-your-kiss-until-marriage practice (and I don't necessarily think that couples who don't kiss are better than those who do), I have deep respect for Joaqui and Jana's decision to do so.
I believe with my whole heart that moral purity is not a devious plan to eliminate enjoyment from a Christian’s life, though the enemy of our soul deceptively threatens such a loss. Instead, purity is God’s infinitely wise foundation for true happiness and long-lasting family relationships.
And here is also why we had a kiss-free engagement.
Kissing is an extremely sexual activity. When I haven't given my life to God, purity was something I did not value and did so many things that made me very far from Him.
Therefore in my heart, kissing (plus other extreme displays of affection) needed to be postponed and maintained within the confines of a lifelong commitment of marriage. I think you'd agree. If a person argues that kissing is not sexual in nature, then ask that person if they would allow their fiance or spouse to kiss someone other than themselves.
This doesn't mean, in any way, that Robert and myself are better or more holy than anyone else. Nothing can be farther from the truth. As a couple, we still need a whole lot of work and have to depend on God's grace for the strength of our marriage on a daily basis.
I just wanted to express the heart behind the conviction and why I have a deep appreciation of Joaqui and Jana's first kiss.
Joaqui: I am grateful for shining examples of a man valuing his bride's worth.
Jana: Seeing your father give you away with so much pride was priceless. Thank you for allowing me to witness that.
And most of all, I am so grateful to my Savior for beautiful second chances.
2 comments
It takes a lot of guts these days to do things that we know the world would find as weird.. and us, weird. But with Jesus beside us, we all must understand everyday that we have more than enough to be thankful for than worry about what others would say.
This couple is definitely God's impressive and outstanding masterpiece of love. Just like you and Rob. ;)
Saludo ako!
Thank you :-)
It is only through Him that we have made it this far. Almost three years and counting!
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