It was 1962: Cecile Mejia, 22, and Frank Macasaet, 23, were introduced during their senior year at medical school by her best friend, who was his cousin. They met and fell in love. However, this lasted for only a year because Cecile stayed in Manila to complete her internship at University of Santo Tomas, while Frank obtained his medical degree from Far Eastern University but did his internship at Silliman University in Dumaguete, Negros Oriental.

Cecile married Gregorio Loleng, M.D., and they had five children. Frank married Evelyn Paralejas, and they had four children. Both families eventually emigrated to the United States; Cecile became a family practitioner, while Frank became a pathologist. Somehow, both joined the US Army Medical Corps and, in 1988, 25 years later, Cecile called Frank after seeing his name on a pathology report of her patient in Korea, where she was assigned. The phone call was brief and Cecile congratulated him on his promotion to the rank of Colonel, like her.

Fast forward to June, 18, 2020, after his wife passed away, and after finding from Google that Cecile’s husband, Greg, had also died, he was able to get Cecile’s address and telephone number on the PeopleLooker website. He called Cecile nightly, and by the third call on FaceTime, he asked if she still liked him, and her reply was “Siempre” (Of course). When she asked him the same question, his answer was exactly the same as hers. He decided to visit her for a few weeks, but before that, they both wanted to let their children know about his plans. They all gave a resounding “NO,” because of COVID, and because things were moving too fast.

Despite their objections, Frank flew to California from his home in Chesterfield, Virginia on July 8, 2020. They also did not listen to the children’s recommendation that he stay in a hotel or to get a chaperone if he stays at her home. He met Cecile’s two sons who live in the Bay Area, but neither one had any comment.

Zoom sessions were arranged with each family group. Frank also sent an email to one of Cecile’s daughters, letting her know of his intentions, offering to get a prenuptial agreement. He simply was asking for her blessing, emphasizing that their only wish was to be together and happy during their waning years.

Within a week of his arrival, Frank bought the wedding rings and they marched to City Hall for a marriage license. However, due to Covid, a civil ceremony could not immediately take place. They decided to get married in church, after her friend, Father Edwin Limpiado, agreed.

On September 14, 2020, Frank, 81, and Cecile, almost 80, were married at St. William’s Catholic Church in Atascadero, California, and because of COVID restrictions, the ceremony was witnessed by only 15 family members and one close friend. This was followed by a sumptuous lunch at Thomas Hill Organics Bistro & Bar in Paso Robles, California. The bridegroom toasted his bride, with the English playwright Ben Jonson’s Ode to Celia (“Drink to me only with thine eyes”). All of the guests at the restaurant congratulated the happy couple. The first dance of the newlyweds was at their residence in Pebble Beach, California.

Agnes Y. Alikpala MD is a pediatrician, retired from private practice & Sutter Pacific Medical Foundation in San Francisco. She loves to dine, travel & play with friends, mostly from STCQC, Philippine International Aid & Philippine Medical Society of Northern CA.

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