Welcoming Kellen Jr. to the world

Florami (second from left) poses with the family

by Susan Palmes-Dennis

The birth of a grandchild is not only a cause for joy but also a reminder of one's expanding roots, as Florami Lao Cordero-Lee told me last week.

She became the proud grandmother to Kellen Martin, whom she said had connected her to her ancestors and her husband's family tree.

“I am just a proud grandma,” Florami told me after the birth of her first grandbaby four months ago. The good looking grandma who can be mistaken as the boy's mother said it again during Kellen's dedication over the weekend.  

Florami, past president of the Filipino-American community in the Carolinas (FACC), is always available to baby sit Kellen Martin-Lee despite a hectic schedule in between family, work and social commitments.

Kellen Martin is four months old and was dedicated before the Reverend Pastor Chris Justice at Lee Park Church in Monroe. Pastor Chris Justice used to be a TV sport caster on channel 36.

The baby took the name of his dad Kellen Lee making him a junior. The name was decided by proud parents Kellen and Lindsey.  Grandma Florami confided that it feels like their home is flooded with love whenever the baby's around.

“ I look into Kellen’s eyes and see the blue gray eyes of his mom Lindsey,” she said. 

Florami also said she sees her husband Wyatt's hands in Kellen's tiny hands. 
Through Kellen Jr. Florami sees her son in his eyes. 

“ I felt a renewed bond with him and his parents and the family. And we are all connected. I am so happy for them,” Florami said.

A reception followed at the Field Stone Farm Clubhouse at 5005 Houndscroft Td. Indian Trail, 28079 where a mix of Filipino delicacies and American food were served to the guests.

Of course Lola Florami cooked the Filipino food while the American dishes were prepared by the couple's American grandmother.

(Susan Palmes-Dennis is a veteran journalist from Cagayan de Oro City, Misamis Oriental, Northern Mindanao in the Philippines who worked as a nanny and is now employed as a sub-teacher and a part-time teacher assistant in one of the school systems in the Carolinas.

Read her blogs on susanpalmesstraightfrom the Carolinas.com and at http://www.blogher.com/myprofile/spdennis54. These and other articles also appear at http://www.sunstar.com.ph/author/2582/susan-palmes-dennis.
You can also connect with her through her email susanap.dennis@yahoo.com as well as her Pinterest account at http://www.pinterest.com/pin/41025046580074350/) and https://www.facebook.com/pages/Straight-from-the-Carolinas-/494156950678063)

Rekindling their vows of love

The couple Janet Pichon and Richard Hixson

by Susan Palmes-Dennis

CHARLOTTE, North Carolina—It was a beautiful Friday afternoon at St. Gabriel Church last April 18 when two favorite friends renewed their vow of marriage in the presence of family, close friends and love ones.  

It was a solemn Catholic wedding of Janet Pichon to Richard Hixson and it reminded me of how beautiful the word love is.  “I feel in love and I wanted to cry,” said Beverly Jan Engracia, one of the bridesmaids.

Engracia is a practicing dentist in Davao City, Philippines and she flew in days before the big date just to be with her childhood friend on her important day. 

St. Gabriel Church was just the perfect place for the renewal of vows. The church itself was located at the corner of old streets in the residential area. The church is elevated and the structure's beauty doesn't escape the eyes of passerby.

Inside the church was decorated with fresh flowers of different colors. A big wreath with flowers hung on the right side of the altar facing the churchgoers while candles of different shapes and sizes adorned the church and enhanced the ambiance.

The couple with family and friends

Richard and Janet were married in civil rites eight years ago and decided to renew their vows this time in church. 

It took Richard seven years to court the wife to have a church wedding.

“But he proposes a church wedding everyday,” Janet giggled. 

Her white veil was handmade embroidery lace and measured 20 feet long.  About 300 Swarovski  were added to the veil. It was elegant and stunning. 

“We made our commitment to each other eight years ago to honor, love, cherish, and be with one another and we finally have blessed our love together in receiving the Sacrament of Matrimony in our Catholic faith surrounded with our love ones,” Janet said.

As a Catholic, she knows the importance of marriage as husband and wife bound by God together. The ceremony was made classic with the opening of the Ave Maria Song by Schubert performed by soloist Leigh Ann Duda.

The processional “Canon in D” Pachelbel and the Trumpet Voluntary Clarke only added to the ambiance of love in the church . It was a great piece of music on its own but also evokes fond sentiments. 

Dr. Larry Stremeyer was the organist. My husband Ronnie Dennis was teary-eyed and admitted he almost cried.  Truly, Ave Maria is the kind of music that restores one’s faith. 

Janet was radiant in her white wedding dress  with no straps and straight cut on the bust and it perfectly shaped her bodice. 

It was made of silk but 1,000 pieces of Sharovski was added to complement the radiant white. 

It was personally designed by Oleg Cassini. Janet won the title of Mrs. USA-Asia in 2010. 

She walked along the aisle with her father Edgar Pichon. 

But the bride’s mother Elma Edgar Pichon had her moment as she was the first to walk in the altar in her purple long dress. 

Chona “Inday” Burnstrum was the matron of honor who came all the way from Indianapolis, Indiana with her husband Brad Bursturm who also stood as Groomsman. 

The couple’s son Skylar served as the ring bearer. The Burnstrums are close friends of Janet.  Ann Miller, Carrie Silvers, Junne Lee Pichon (the bride's sister) and Beverly Jan Engracia were the bridesmaids. 

Other groomsmen were the groom's nephew Mike Hixson, the bride's brother Jojith Pichon and Janet's brother-in-law Mario Hernandez. The coin bearer was Adriane Hernandez. 

Spreading the petals of flowers were Nevaeh Miller, Izzabella Pichon and Cassandra Hernandez while Armela and Mary Pichon held the viel.  Deacon Dr. Mark Diener officiate the ceremony. 

Lastly, Richard's brother Larry Hixson served as best man. What struck my attention was the part of the lighting of the unity candle while the couples favorite song “Love of My Life” played.  

Janet said the song is her personal choice because it describes “how she feels and how she loves Richard.” She said Richard was a gift from heaven as he is a good provider to her and her kids.  

“He honored me and cherishes me. Every day he reminds me how he loves me. God gave him to me.” Janet said her search for the perfect man ended when she met Richard. “Because i know he is the one i want.”

Chona Burnstrum, who has been Janet's friend for the last 17 years, said she wishes “with all her heart” the best for Janet and Richard. “Love and happiness for them together,” she said.

Florami Lao Cordero-Lee, past president of the Fil-American Community of the Carolinas (FACC) who came with her husband Wyatt, quoted 1 Corinthians 13:7 in wishing Janet and Richard the best.

“My message to them is from the Bible verse: Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures every circumstance. 1st Corinthians 13:7 is my favorite too,” she said.

Other guests include Angela Cook, Rita Miles and her husband, Terri Gallagher and the neighbors of Janet and Richard here in Charlotte. The reception and dancing was held at the Ritz Carlton Hotel also in downtown Charlotte.

As I watched the couple's excitement, I thought back to the many weddings I attended in the past including that of my daughters and friends. Marriages make one believe that love abounds everywhere.

Me with the bride

(Susan Palmes-Dennis is a veteran journalist from Cagayan de Oro City, Misamis Oriental, Northern Mindanao in the Philippines who worked as a nanny and is now employed as a sub-teacher and a part-time teacher assistant in one of the school systems in the Carolinas.

Read her blogs on susanpalmesstraightfrom the Carolinas.com and at http://www.blogher.com/myprofile/spdennis54. These and other articles also appear at http://www.sunstar.com.ph/author/2582/susan-palmes-dennis.
You can also connect with her through her email susanap.dennis@yahoo.com as well as her Pinterest account at http://www.pinterest.com/pin/41025046580074350/) and https://www.facebook.com/pages/Straight-from-the-Carolinas-/494156950678063)