There was a year where he sold one of his classic motorbikes to gift me with a 42 inch Plasma flat screen TV and a complete home theater system. Not that I asked him for it. I just casually mentioned it one day that I’d like a big TV when we’ve saved enough to afford it (Hubby hates credit so most of our big ticket item purchases are paid for in cash). One day, I arrived home with these big boxes covered by flat sheets in our living room and voila — I got my wish!

Image: MrG and MrsG

This year, part of his gift to me for our wedding anniversary is a poem he’s written himself to celebrate the 10 years since we have met each other. It’s one of the sweetest things I’ve ever received from him and I’d like to share it with you. This poem has been edited as I have taken out the personal parts (those are just for me!):

To my wife, friend, lover, business partner and sometimes the boss. (most times)

Ten years ago to this day,
A small town boy went on his way

To a far off land where rice is the fare
And pretty filipinas are everywhere

He flew through the night wondering what he might find
And fellow passengers thought he was out of his mind

Manila airport was hot and busy as can be
As he stood waiting patiently under the letter G

Her image was clear deep in his head
but was it enough… he began to dread

But there she was, that smiling face
In a van adorned with ‘Gooding’ all over the place

Heart pumping wildly he climbed aboard
and gave her a kiss which she secretly adored

The streets were crowded and everything was new
But the girl beside him, he already knew

As over the months by email and phone
They had shared many secrets and were never alone

Despite warnings from friends and even some family
An axe murderer he wasn’t nor mail order bride was she

Places to go and people to meet
And so many things to watch in the street

The time went fast and the fortnight flew by
And before long it was time to head back to the sky.

So much had happened in those two weeks there
That changed the life course of Tin and Tbear

A visit to God’s own later that year
Following that a marriage in Manila’s warm humid air

Too much has passed between now and then
To put it paper would take a bloody big pen

So ten years back, what were our wishes?
Did you really think we’d be Mr and Mrs

The past is what is and will always be
But that first kiss, first touch, in my heart will be

I haven’t forgotten and keep them within
Those first little things, your smile, your eyes, your touch, your soft skin

Where will we be in a decade’s time
Still riding my bikes and you sipping your wine

Hopefully together we will still be
Squeezed in the Lotus just you and me

Love you Mrs G

I did remind MrG that he did forget a very important milestone in his poem — our engagement. His excuse was he couldn’t find the right words to that rhyme to incorporate into the poem. Not good enough! LOL

During this recessionary times, why not gift your spouse-to-be with a poem and give it to him or her at the eve of your wedding? It’s not only free but will also be received in the warmest possible way

**STICKY: Join Our One Heart’s Latest Giveaway: Win $385 worth of prizes from Edible Gifts Plus!

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Image: Photoxpress

Here’s a list of recession-related wedding news that hit us the past week:

1. Recession Hits Wedding Costs
2. Couples cut down on Weddings - For Richer, Not Poorer
3. Wedding Dress Shop to close after struggle

Sigh. I wonder when we’re all going to recover from the recession!

If you or your loved one is getting married soon, here are some tips from Our One Heart regarding getting married during the recession:

1. Luxury Weddings during the Recession
2. Three Wedding Cost Savers
3. Four Ways to save on your wedding

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Image: JF

The dress will be made of a combination of satin and chiffon. What I love about the dress is the design and the length of the dress. It means that Jacq can wear this to parties and other weddings because it doesn’t look like a bridesmaid’s dress.

Something you need to be aware of is that the skirt alone takes about 5 meters so yes, lots and lots of fabric!

**STICKY: Join Our One Heart’s Latest Giveaway: Win $385 worth of prizes from Edible Gifts Plus!

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Image: Photoxpress

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About Edible Gifts Plus

Edible Gifts PLUS is the result of years of party planning, research, and lots of delicious sampling!! It is this experience and lifestyle that has enabled EGP to arrive at this business. Their enthusiasm for this special collection of cookies, chocolates, dipped fruits, pretzels, popcorn, and so much more is evident with each and every customer. They have put together a great selection of Gift Ideas. AND… since the “Wedding Season” is upon us, please look at their Wedding Gift Selections - there are so many terrific options for our brides and grooms. Be sure to visit their dedicated wedding gift and favor resource guide! Order today to ensure an on time delivery.

Emphasizing the sale of the product is not what’s important, but rather, what items and in what way can your occasion or event be made more special or successful with EGP’s assistance.

Browse through their current offerings for some great gift ideas — for your special occasions including birthdays, weddings, anniversaries, baby showers, communions, Bar/Bat Mitzvah, graduations, corporate gifts, fundraisers (our edible raffles are unique and a great deal of fun!!), trade shows, and upcoming events of all kinds. We have a wonderful (and delicious) selection of St. Patrick’s Day, Purim and Easter gifts!! And in the event that you find that you want a little less of this and a little more of that, don’t fret. They are only a phone call away, and happy AND willing to tailor or expand their product selection to meet your needs.

Do you want to tell EGP a bit more about the recipient of your gifts? EGP would be more than happy to customize their products and add in a bit of “personality” to each gift.

What you can win:

• Two (2) lucky winners can win $125 each of a smorgasbord of sweet treats from Edible Gifts Plus, customized with the happy couple’s picture and wedding date or the picture of the birthday girl! The giveaway pack features gourmet cookies, marshmallows, krispy treats, chocolate dipped pretzels, oreos and more.

HOW YOU CAN JOIN

1. The giveaway will run from now (July 1st) till July 18 (Saturday). The giveaway will close at 11.59pm EST of the 18th.

2. You can enter to be in for the draw by doing either or ALL of these actions:

• Visit the Edible Gifts Plus and leave a comment on this post and tell me what happy occasion would be perfect for Edible Gifts Plus to help you with!
• Blog or tell others about the giveaway on other sites like your personal blog or a wedding forum or egroup, etc - you must post a link to the site where you posted or shared about the giveaway by leaving a comment on this contest entry.
• Tweet this contest entry and use the hash tag #ediblegifts to let me know you’ve tweeted. Come back on this contest post and let me know that you’ve tweeted.

3. This giveaway is only valid for US residents.

4. One entry per action (see #2).

5. Winners will be selected through a random draw and will be announced on July 22.

Good luck!

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If you’re on Facebook, I hope you can join up and share your own wedding photos. It’s quite nice to see wedding photos from people of all races and how weddings have changed through the years too!

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Image: Photoxpress

If you are unsure about this, there is no known practice to do this so really, it is up to you if you want to give your spouse-to-be a present on your wedding day. If you are saving and wishing to cut costs, this is an expense you can do without.

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This is a strapless wedding gown with lace over satin.

This lovely full length sleeveless wedding dress has scoop neckline, spagheti straps, lace bodice, empire waist and a layer of chiffon over the long skirt of the dress that opens into an inverted V! Fully lined. Concealed zipper in the back. The sleek design of the dress has a slimming effect. Fabric is 100 Percent Polyester Bridal Satin with lace bodice and chiffon overlay on skirt.

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If you’re the groom, you may think you don’t need to prepare much and in your excitement, you may forget to eat.

If you’re a member of the wedding entourage, you may forget to eat as well with all the things you have to remember.

Believe me, it is imperative that you eat before the wedding. If not, this can happen to you:

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Image: Flickr

Please I beg of you, don’t do it like what this woman did. I suppose to each her own but I can’t imagine attending a wedding with the very much pregnant bride wearing this gown.

Image: Flickr - Laura Mary

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