My dear and close friend, of whom I see her more as a sister and whanau (family) rather than friend, spoke her wedding vows to her husband in front of a Church full of people on the 2nd of October 2009 at St Patrick’s Church in Auckland City.
Maria wrote me an email two years ago informing me that she
is now engaged to marry Michael Veukiso, and the wedding plans would in two years time. So I had promised her there and then that I will come back to Aotearoa New Zealand especially for her wedding and to spend time with whanau. So I arrived in good spirits preparing for Maria’s wedding. As soon as I got off the plane I went to make up (not for me but for the girls) and the off to rehearsal. Of course it was wonderful to be there.
 |
| Maria’s Wedding |
If you click on the picture of Mele (Maria’s Sister) you can watch her doing the Tongan Taúloga and watch family dance with her and put money on her. The link should take you to my picasa account where I have uploaded this dance.
Maria’s wedding was a celebration to remember. As usual all the whanau had gather from different parts of the world, from Fiji, Tonga, USA, New Zealand, Australia and of course all the way from Cambodia. It was an occasion befitting for Maria and Michael.
The brides maids are all in the above picture. Now if ever there was a wedding these would be the brides maids to have. They know how to party! They certainly played their role well but they also had a good time and made sure the people around them did too! Yeah for the brides maids! They were da bomb!
Come to think of it I didn’t get to have a cake. It looked so yummy. Never mind another time when I go home and visit Maria we can make up for the lost cake.
Winston said to me that it took Maria to bring me back home to be with them on this special occasion. I’ve always admired Winston and remember spending time with him in Fiji in 1993. He and I had an interesting discussion on gender both in Asia and the Pacific. He said the problem is that gender is becoming commercialized whereas in Asia, in some parts, its a part of everyday society. This was once so in the Pacific prior to the Missionaries. But now there is this commercialized aspect of our gender identity. I could have sworn I could have written a Masters Thesis that night in my discussion with Winston Halapua.
Okay this is me once again. I had this coat made in Cambodia from pure Khmer Silk. Its a traditional Cambodian coat for special occasions. I felt so comfortable in it. And I wanted to dress up just like everyone else in the wedding party. I was given the role of reading from the Bible in the book of Proverbs.
This is aunty (Maria’s mum) making all the flower arrangements the night before. I’m not sure if aunty got enough sleep but she looked well on the day. Aunty has been like another mother to me too. I love aunties Faikakai (tongan desert), fish heads with coconut cream! Oh yummy aunty now I’m hungry!
This is Mike (the one at the back in the middle) and these are his younger brothers and sister. A very nice family. I remember the first day I met Mike I said to him that I’ve known Maria and her whanau for a long time. Maria reminded Mike by interpreting what that really meant! She said it meant: you better look after my sister or I’ll beat you down! Hahaha. All jokes! Kia ora Mike, nga mihi nui.
This is a picture of Maria’s father (on the left and Mikes father on the right) they have both passed on but always cherished by the memories of Maria and Mike.
These three photos are Daisy, Lillian, and Leka. Lillian is Maria’s oldest sister, and wife to Leka and mother to Daisy. I know that whenever I am in Auckland I always have a home with them. And I always feel at home with them. They are very much part of my life for a very long time. Ever since our Tikanga Youth Exchange Days!
And finally to my sister Maria although its been 4 months since your wedding this blog post page is dedicated to you and Mike and whanau. Thank you for the wonderful occasion. Next time I am home I can spend more time with you all. Love you all heaps!
You were born together, and together you shall be forevermore….
But let there be spaces in your togetherness
And let the winds of heaven dance between you.
- Kahil Gibran
