From LA to Rome - Chester See

E L E V E N years. *gasp* Yes, it's been that long. The other day my husband and I got to reflecting on life and realized a thing. Everything that we've endured through has been a wild roller coaster ride-backward! It's definitely been one heck of an adventure! Never really imagined that we'll spend our 11th year stuck in quarantine with my in-laws and no places to go, but good memories we're creating and important lessons we're learning along the way. Last week a good friend of mine had asked us whether we ever go back and listen to our wedding song from time to time and whether if we still get teary-eyed? Of course, I went back to listen to the song right after that and the answer is "Yes, I still get emotional and yes, I still cry". I can close my eyes and be zap right back into that place in time. With that said and in honor of our 11th wedding anniversary, I wanted to share my experience regarding our wedding song today.

"From LA to Rome" by Chester See

I remember hearing it through that summer of 2009, made popular by my young siblings since they kept playing it around the house. I never really paid much attention and haven't even heard the entire song. Originally, I wanted to walk down the isle to "Forever" by Uncle Jesse from the show Full House. Unfortunately, I couldn't find a wedding version and was quite bummed but again, while I loved the idea of it, I just knew it wasn't in the best of my interest since I already had reserved and attributed this song to a relationship I had had in the past. How can I possibly walk down to that song now? Here I was a few weeks before the wedding and I am on youtube searching long and hard for all things wedding! When I found this song, I had thought it sounded familiar. I listened to the whole entire song and the rest decided for itself! I mean I loved it so much I didn't need any convincing. I realized it was only the song I've heard all summer long! Who would've thought?!?! I loved the entire song, the lyrics and the melody, but I especially love the lyrics "From LA to Rome" simply because I felt like my husband and I are as far from one another as they come! Yet, somehow, we found each other. Best of all, everything was not new, but it felt so new. His love, his kiss, his embrace, his grace... somehow us becoming "one" was in alignment with the Lord's will so this song really struck me as I imagined myself walking down the isle to my husband. On the night of rehearsal, we all agreed that instead of walking in from the beginning of the song, I should make a grand entrance at the chorus. What a grand entrance it was! I still have goosebumps as I relive this moment eleven years ago! Below are some details leading up to meeting my husband at the alter.

My dad and I was still in the nursery, which was located directly outside of the chapel entrance. The nursery door was cracked open so I can hear what was going on in the chapel. At this point, I had heard the french doors of the chapel closed and my song started playing...

"It's in your eyes and it's in your smile, it's the way you kiss, it's never been like this before..."

Luckily, I spent the last two weeks of my single life memorizing the song since I had to que myself. After all, I didn't have a wedding planner. When this first verse came on, my dad and I got into position. I made sure to situate us in a way where we were not stepping on my wedding train. I took one last look at my dad as a single woman knowing everything is about to change as my time was here. I grabbed onto my dad's arm as we started for those french doors.

"... it's the way you laugh and all the times we had. It's the way you touch, I've never loved so much before. The phone calls I never want to end. It's like I'm falling in love over and again..."

You guys! I have to bring attention to the percussion in this second verse, yall! It was beating to the rhythm of my heart, I kid you not. My heart was beating so fast that it felt like I was about to present a research project! My heart was racing and my palms were sweaty as I try to catch my breath while dad and I got up to the doors, which is closed at this point. I took one last breath as a single woman and right as I finished giving myself a quick pep-talk by saying, "Here we go..." I exhaled as the french doors swung open and I hear the chorus super loud, super clear and super crisp!

"You're everything that my life's been missing and now I can't believe this is happening to me. Through the good and the bad, the happy and the sad, you won't be away from home, You'll never be alone, from LA to Rome."

The chorus played on as dad and I walked the isle. I felt like a celebrity with all eyes on me for at least the whole ten seconds (Yes, the isle was really that short)! :) I saw my husband standing there, all bashful with his shy smile looking at me. My first glance at him and I thought, "There you are, the one who'll never break my heart (at least not with another girl), the one who'll be full of grace for my past and for my future!" When I got up there to Jamy, dad gave me away. The music faded and then stopped altogether, then the show got real. Rev. Ntsuab Pov Hawj asked who gave the bride away and my dad stood up and said that he and my mom were giving me away. It was so crazy then but so bitter-sweet now as I think back on these little details. 

"Now with this ring I promise that I'll be faithful and true, devoted to you through it all, and I'll gladly be your one and everything, right by your side, shoulder when you cry if you fall, and I love you more with everything that ends, it's like I'm falling in love over and again..."

My husband and I lit the unity candle to this verse. It was simply the sweetest verse for our union under God. I just have to say that of all the weddings I've ever been to, mine is still my favorite. By all means, my wedding was beyond flawed, but my gosh, Jamy and I.... our love story... it's definitely one in a million and I am so happy when I look back because in the details I can see God's fingerprint. I am in awe of God's mystery. To quote the late Ravi Zacharias, "Love is as much a question of the will as it is of the emotion. And if you WILL to love somebody, you can." Jamy and I are a testament to this truth! Without God's calling, I doubt we'll be here celebrating today.

Happy 11th anniversary, Sweetie. Thank you for willingly loving me despite all my flaws that you know too well of. I love you, Sweetie. Here's to another  e l e v e n years and beyond!!!

July 2020