It’s Just Us

Sitting here looking through Herrik and Martha’s pictures from their wedding day got me whispering in admiration, “Wow! What great fun they had! I can hear their laughter loud and clear even through the silence of digital photography. I can feel the sincerity of every tear that streamed down their cheeks as they spoke their promise for forever. What was their secret?”

I know! They must have did everything their way, liberated from the unending, overwhelming expectations from family or even social media feed. However, we were almost tricked that Herrik and Martha cared even for the tiniest bit about following the norm. Here’s what makes them so so special.

“We just want to be married and live the rest of our lives together. We don't want to be weighed down by the burdensome long to do list that couples usually go through. BUT AND HOWEVER! WE MUST EAT NOODLES AFTER THE HOLY MATRIMONY. That’s Herrik’s Dad only wish,” Herrik and Martha told us in unison during their wedding planning.

So we thought this ritual is very very important and sacred, after all that’s the only tradition they are willing to put up with on their wedding day.

The wedding day came, vows were expressed, rings were exchanged, and they were pronounced husband and wife. Here comes the big tradition of the feeding of the noodles. Or so we thought.

Something was refreshingly peculiar as the noodles were ushered into Herrik’s room. It was not your traditional wedding misua rice noodles. It was literally a familiar looking bowl of egg noodles that we commonly consume on a daily basis, complete with mouth watering meatballs and chopped braised chicken. Another important component was noticeably missing: Herrk’s Dad, the one who requested this so called tradition.

“It’s just us! Let’s eat!!!!!! Wow these noodles are so yum!! Nom nom nom!” And our jaws almost hit the floor. We thought they were joking. But they started devouring the noodles like a bunch of hungry kids who care about nothing else but whom they are eating with. They could just be having a cup of water at some random place but still would have so much fun because it wasn't about the noodles or traditions or anything at all. It’s about her. It’s about him. Together. Doing whatever.

I’m no fortuneteller. But I would bet my bottom dollar that that’s their secret! All they cared about was each other and nothing more.