If you could get married to your husband for the second time around, how would you want to do it? For this mom and CEO, her second wedding (and proposal) was a beautiful display of modern day PDA. For their 10th wedding anniversary, Mars Balajadia, founder and CEO of Mecca Aesthetic Clinic and Spa, decided to switch typical gender roles and propose to her husband during an intimate family vacay at Lagen Island in El Nido, Palawan.
“In the 10 years Dick and I have been married, he was always the one who would surprise me with grand gestures. So now, on our 10th year wedding anniversary and with the help of my three children, I surprised him with a proposal to marry me again. Luckily, he said yes,” Mars tells Preview. With no suppliers, coordinators, or friends there to help her, Mars got down on one knee and popped the question on board a yacht while their family was out exploring Palawan.
According to Mars, it left her husband speechless. To his defense, he explained, “Men are not trained what to say and do on times like that.”
The next day, the couple got married in an intimate ceremony at Lagen Island, which she also organized herself and with a little help from the resort staff. The photos show a quaint ceremony in front of a priest with their three adorable children as witnesses. The bride wore a set of chic and summery co-ords from Zoo The Label, while the groom opted for a white button-down, which he paired with khaki trousers and slippers.
Would you believe that it only took Mars a month to plan and prepare for the proposal and ceremony all on her own? Talk about being an independent woman!
When asked why she decided to surprise her husband that way for their anniversary, Mars has a practical but empowering answer: “I think in today’s world, us women have more freedom and ways in expressing our feelings. We know what we want and we know how to get them,” she says. “In this case, [it was] my husband’s ‘yes.’ As a married couple, we continue to surprise each other with ways to show our love and appreciation. I think it’s the sweetest thing when a woman proposes to a man because it is not expected. It is very empowering and it strengthens our belief that husbands and wives stand as equals.”
True enough, women should be able to pursue their goals and passions without any societal hindrances or form of discrimination—not to mention, wear whatever they want while achieving those dreams! It is 2020, after all! But if you’re a little shy when it comes to love and making the first move, heed Mars’ advice: “Go for it! The ways you show your love to someone need not be what the society dictates. If you know he’s the one, take charge of your life and propose to him! Gone are the days when women should just wait for something to happen. And just a little tip: Men like it when we take over! They, too, have soft spots. And they love it when we take their breath away!”
And to be honest, women hate to wait. So maybe it’s time you don’t.
Hey, Preview readers! Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Tiktok, and Twitter to stay up to speed on all things trendy and creative. We’ll curate the most stylish feed for you!
