December 7, 1941 has long been known as "a day that will live in infamy." This was the day that the U.S. Pacific Fleet headquarters known as Pearl Harbor was surprise-attacked in a military air strike by the Japanese Navy.
Across the Pacific Ocean, 16-year old Magdalena and 20-year old Lope married in a tiny chapel barricaded and chained shut to avoid any potential disruption of the ceremony by Japanese soldiers. The Philippines had previously been invaded by Japan and the occupation by their military forced the people to be prisoners in their own homes. Magdalena and Lope's marriage defied their rule.
Despite their dramatic union, they endured World War II and the Japanese occupation, and went on to live fruitful lives. They raised five children, 4 boys and one girl, their only daughter whom they ended up losing to an incurable health crisis at age 17. Shortly thereafter, they left the Philippines and settled in Oahu, Hawaii - coincidentally, the same island that was attacked the same day they were wed.
Three of Lope and Magdalena's sons married and went on to start families of their own. I was the third grandchild, born to their second eldest son. My grandparents were blessed with six granddaughters, two from each son, and no grandsons.
Today would have been my grandparents' 67th wedding anniversary. My grandfather passed away in 1997, after his battle with liver cancer. My granny is alive and well, traveling around with my uncle, visiting family. She has since sold the Ala Hema Street home in Oahu where her and my papa made their life - he died in that house, and it pained her to be in a place that she felt gave her life and later took it away with my grandfather's passing.
They had a wonderful life together. When she visits, Granny and I often talk about Papa and some of the great stories of times they shared. During one of our last conversations, she shared with me that it gives her such joy to know and remember that she was married to her best friend. Although she misses him terribly, her love has not wavered and transcends the vow "until death do us part."
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