Remarrying after 3 years of my ex-husband’s death, SUDDENLY an uninvited guest appeared, I burst into tears and knelt down in the middle of the street…
My ex-husband passed away 3 years ago. During those 3 years, my life was filled with ups and downs. There was a time when I vowed to stay single for the rest of my life to keep my love for him. But then… I couldn’t keep that vow.

Before my wedding day with my current husband, I went with him to visit my ex-husband’s grave in Himlayang Pilipino, Quezon City. In front of the gravestone, my fiancé quietly promised to take care of me for the rest of his life. I was moved, both because of the promise and because he understood and respected my past.

I met my ex-husband when I was a saleswoman at a shopping mall in Quezon City. Back then, he often stopped by to buy things; every time he stood there and chose very carefully. At first, I thought he was “addicted to shopping”, but it turned out that it was all just an excuse to meet me.

One day, he blushed and asked for my number. A few minutes later, I received a text message:
— “Sorry for being clumsy, but I’ve liked you for a long time, and I only know how to attract you with this method.”

I laughed… and then I noticed him without realizing it.

His name was Joaquin “Quin” Aguilar, he worked at an advertising company in Makati. He was gentle, quiet, and spent his days hanging around the computer. He said I was like a “light” entering his life—lively, active—taking him on picnics, joining friends, helping him open up more. Then I discovered that he sang very well; his voice was enchanting. Every time he played and sang for me, we seemed to drift into a separate world—sweet and peaceful.

After dating for half a year, he took me to Benguet to visit his mother. Nanay Rosa was a gentle country woman. She took me to the back of the house to pick fruit, taught me how to cook some specialties, and even knitted me a woolen scarf. After that time, I loved and admired Quin even more—a guy from the mountains who came down to Manila, independent and resilient. Compared to someone who grew up with a comfortable life like me, he made me respect him and want to be with him for life.

My family only had one request: when we got married, we had to have a small house. To meet that condition, Quin worked full-time and took on two part-time jobs. On weekends, he only spent a little time with me; the rest of the time he worked extra, drawing designs for hire.

After only 2 years, he bought a small townhouse in Marikina. The day we moved in, we were overjoyed. I cooked the first meal; he ran out to buy wine to celebrate. But unexpectedly, that was the last time I saw him…

On the way back, he got into a traffic accident—and left me forever.

The shock knocked me down. Even though we hadn’t had a wedding ceremony yet, we had registered our marriage; both families considered each other as family. Hearing the bad news, Nanay Rosa fell ill. I rushed back to take care of her for half a month. I once planned to sell the house to give her money for her old age, but she shook her head:
— “That’s the house Quin bought for you. You have to keep it.”

From then on, I considered her as my biological mother. Every month, I still sent her a living allowance (equivalent to ₱5,000) as a way to show my filial piety on Quin’s behalf.

After losing him, I closed my heart—I went to work and came home, not communicating. My parents were worried and urged me to go on blind dates. I objected. Then my mother was diagnosed with breast cancer. After surgery, her condition did not improve. She said her last wish was to see me settle down. Seeing her getting thinner day by day, I couldn’t bear it. Because of my mother, I let go of the past and opened my heart to the present.

Through an acquaintance, I met Paolo Villanueva—a man 2 years older than me, gentle, a good listener, always caring and loving me unconditionally. He was moved when he heard about Quin and me, and promised to bring me happiness for the rest of my life. We dated for 9 months and then decided to get married.

Before the wedding day, I called Nanay Rosa. She was silent for a moment and then burst into tears:
— “You are still young, remarrying is right. I support you.”

I choked up. After that, Paolo and I discussed continuing to send Nanay living expenses every month. He agreed immediately, saying: “That is the right thing to do.”

The wedding was held simply, inviting only relatives, in a small garden in Tagaytay. That morning, while I was putting on makeup, Nanay Rosa called to ask for the wedding location. I answered unconsciously, then continued preparing. Looking in the mirror, seeing myself radiant in my wedding dress, I suddenly remembered Quin—the person I once loved deeply. Paolo walked in, I quickly wiped away my tears.

The ceremony was warm. Then, in the middle of exchanging rings, I suddenly saw Nanay Rosa standing silently in a far corner. In the midst of the joyful atmosphere, her figure was so lonely it was heartbreaking. I quickly ran over. She held my hand, choking up:
— “Today is your happy day, I shouldn’t have come. But in my whole life I have never seen Quin get married. Seeing you happy, I feel a little comforted.”

After saying that, she handed me a large package—inside were several children’s woolen clothes she had knitted herself. She turned to leave. I was stunned, quickly chased after her, knelt down on the stone path in the middle of the garden—among many eyes—and said:
— “Mom loves me like her own mother. Even though she can’t be my mother-in-law, please be my mother. Today, my daughter is getting married, let me bow to you.”

My eyes were red, I bowed to her on the way to the wedding hall. She shed tears. The whole audience applauded. Paolo came to help me up, inviting Nanay to stay for the ceremony.

Back on stage, Paolo squeezed my hand tightly. At that moment, I understood more clearly than ever: love is not just holding hands when happy, but also knowing how to cherish past memories. I will bury the past in my heart—as a beautiful part—and hold my head high with the man beside me as we continue on the road ahead, peaceful and complete.