A few days ago, I was at a lunch at the elegant and old Manila Peninsula Hotel where Pond's Age Miracle was relaunched. Married couple Aga Muhlach and Charlene Gonzalez were there as the brand's new endorsers. Charlene looked as stunning as she once did when she stood as our Miss Philippines at the Miss Universe 1994 pageant, and Aga, at 39, still looked like the teenage heartthrob he once was. The couple talked about their love story. Aga said that Charlene is even more beautiful now than when they got married eight years ago.
All of us media guests swooned and sighed as the couple answered questions from the audience. I had to leave early but I really wanted to ask Aga this: "Not all of us look like Charlene. What can you tell women who do grow old and are worried that their husbands won't like what they see?" At dinner, I told Vince all about my day and my glamorous lunch and then posed to him my question. My husband's eyes went soft as he looked at my face. Then, to my surprise, he softly recited this poem to me...
When you are old and grey and full of sleep,
And nodding by the fire, take down this book,
And slowly read, and dream of the soft look
Your eyes had once, and of their shadows deep;
How many loved your moments of glad grace,
And loved your beauty with love false or true,
But one man loved the pilgrim Soul in you,
And loved the sorrows of your changing face...
- "When You Are Old" by William Butler Yeats
He told me many might remember how pretty I was or maybe everyone will forget but to him, I grow more precious each day and every line on my face and every graying hair is a triumph of a life lived together in hope and friendship and passion and love.
And that is my love story today.
You are so lucky to have such a romantic husband - that is so sweet, what girl wouldn't just melt over that??
ReplyDeleteAhh. sigh.... how sweet and romantic your hubby is! Love the poem by Yeats too.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing this very special post.
Who needs Aga, right? Or a miracle cream for that matter. Haha. (Sorry, I'm allergic to this particular brand!)
ReplyDeleteYihee, kinilig si Frances.:)
awwww... *sigh* :-)
ReplyDeleteCarole, I melted. I was a gooey mess by the time he finished the poem.
ReplyDeleteDuni, what surprised me was how he just plucked that poem right out of the air and had it by heart. I mean, who memorizes poetry these days? Swoon.
Tisha, kilig talaga! =D
Jill, I have a printer na for you! Sorry, took so long. We've been finally hit by the economic crisis. I need your prayers now!
Naks, ang sweet naman ni Papi! Remember that when he does something irritating. :P
ReplyDeleteevery wife should have a husband like yours. there's nothing more we, women, need than a man who loves us from the roots of our dry hair to the tips of our unmanicured toes.
ReplyDeletevince deserves a big bowl of ice cream! =D
Awwww!!! your husband is so sweet!
ReplyDeletePonds actually work. I've tried yun pampaputi. :) Maybe I'll try this age-miracle cream as well. Charlene and Aga are alaga ng dermatologists and makeup artists. Us peasants have to settle for over-the-counter creams.
ReplyDeleteFrances, your Vince is soooo romantic! Swoon-worthy! ;)
@ frances: hahaha! you're a mcgyver fan too?
ReplyDeletehes hooott!! hahaha! i mean his brain is. :)
love,
nobe
deariago.blogspot.com
nobe112681.blogspot.com
www.babyproblogger.blogspot.com
aaaw. that's really sweet. :)
ReplyDeletethat was such a sweet moment!
ReplyDeleteyou are so lucky. =)
How wonderfully sweet,
ReplyDeleteI do so love that poem.
Awww, ten points to Vince for that reply! Such a beautiful poem he recited, and true, as well! <3
ReplyDeletexoxo,
S-C
haaa... very touching and very true for a loving couple.
ReplyDeleteNakakainis naman, hehe.
ReplyDeleteKidding. So sweet!
aww.... sweet!
ReplyDeleteif only all men can be that romantic!
Man, I admire people who can memorize poetry.
ReplyDeleteWe were required to memorize "Charge of the Light Brigade" and "Oh, Captain! My Captain!" in high school and I don't remember them anymore. I also memorized a passage by Rizal that was in our HS wall but I don't even remember the topic now! I think the longest passage I can still recite is Psalm 23.