A Testament of Love, Forgiveness, and God’s Timing

Featuring Bryan Giray and Youki De La Peña

Our wedding was not just a celebration of love between a couple; it was a testimony of forgiveness and the beauty of family reconciliation. After almost 10 years of separation from my mother, our wedding became the bridge that God used to bring healing to my family, showing that when the time is right, the Lord will truly make it happen.

My husband and I met in 2023, at a time when we were both focused on self-growth and exploring life’s many possibilities. We crossed paths at his gym, and after some time of getting to know each other, we started dating. It felt like destiny had been working in the background, as we discovered that we had so many shared connections, from attending the same university to having mutual friends—yet our paths had never crossed until that moment.

As our relationship deepened, I felt an overwhelming urge to share a part of my life that I had always kept hidden: the brokenness in my family. I opened up about my mother leaving us and the complicated dynamics that followed. It was unplanned, but I realized then that God had prepared this man to be my safe haven. He accepted me fully, along with my family and our circumstances, and I knew without a doubt that this was the person God had chosen for me.

In a profound way, my husband drew me closer to God, teaching me about forgiveness and what it truly means to love with God’s grace at the center. As we prepared for our wedding, we had one primary goal: to glorify God through our union and to make our love story a testament to His mercy and grace.

Two weeks before the wedding, I felt compelled to ask my grandparents—who raised me—if we could invite my mother. It was a sensitive request, particularly for my grandmother, who had carried the deepest pain from my mother’s absence. After much prayer, she agreed. Yet, a week later, uncertainty crept back in when my grandmother shared her reservations about seeing my mother again. Though heartbroken, my husband and I continued to pray, trusting God’s timing. Miraculously, through the help of my aunts, we were able to gain her full blessing just days before the ceremony.

Our wedding day arrived, and with it came an overwhelming sense of peace. The theme, powder blue with a classic garden setting, was chosen to reflect the serenity that only comes from having God at the center of our lives. It symbolized the calmness we felt in trusting His will, no matter how uncertain things seemed.

As I prepared for our first look, the complicated dynamics of my family weighed heavily on my heart. I had made arrangements to avoid any potential tension between my mother and grandmother. But when the moment arrived, everyone was there—my entire family, including my mother and grandmother, standing together for the first time in years. It was both surreal and emotional, a sight I hadn’t dared to dream of.

However, as we moved to take family portraits, emotions ran high, and a commotion broke out, preventing the moment I had planned with my grandparents. Feeling overwhelmed, I quietly asked our coordinator to change the first touch with my husband into a full first look. I needed him at that moment. His presence brought me an immediate sense of calm, and together, we sought comfort in the Lord. We shared our private vows and a prayer, lifting everything up to God before we walked down the aisle.

In my vows, I said, “You are what I want, and precisely what I need. Now, I can confidently say that you are the most tangible form of God’s love, grace, and faithfulness in my life.” In that sacred moment, it became clear to me that God had blessed our union beyond what I could have imagined.

Just as the ceremony began, what many feared would be a rainy day turned into one of the sunniest moments I could remember. God’s presence felt undeniable, and as if to seal His blessing, a flock of birds flew overhead just as we completed our vows. It was a sign of divine affirmation, a reminder that what’s impossible for man is always possible with God.

The messages we received from our guests after the wedding affirmed what we already knew—this was not just a wedding; it was an encounter with God. Pastor Vic, our officiant, made it even more special by inviting the married couples in attendance to renew their vows, turning our wedding into a moment of spiritual revival.

Our celebration was truly unique, not because of elaborate details or grand gestures, but because of the love, healing, and reconciliation that took place. It was a day where the presence of God was felt, and the love we shared became a reflection of His grace. This celebration wouldn’t be possible if God didn’t lead us to perfect suppliers and wanted to give thanks to them!