I used to ask myself, “Is there really somebody out there for everyone?” Then I got to know one of the most inspiring couples, Luis and Rosemarie Mendez.
I met Luis and Rosemarie in the early 90s while I was doing Reflections in Hyatt Regency Hotel. Rosemarie was still single at the time. One time, she introduced me to her boyfriend (now husband) and I just knew that aside from the guy’s “model looks,” he could be “the one” for Her. True enough, they tied the knot soon after and fast forward to 2 weeks ago; she asked me to be her stylist for their 25th anniversary!
The couple renewed their vows at the Little Brown Church in the Valley in Studio City. Their close friends, family and relatives went to celebrate with them.
So I did what any good friend – and a fan/follower of their love story – would. I asked if I could write about their journey to “happily every after,” to which she gladly obliged.
“We met while both employed at The Hyatt Regency Hotel in Los Angeles. My husband and I started as co-workers then friends. We were both involved with other people when we met. As time goes by, our friendship and closeness turned romantic. We end-up going out and became a couple. We got married and we have just celebrated our 25th wedding anniversary.” Rosemarie narrated when I asked her to tell me again how they met.
Rosemarie works as an Executive Director at Explore Freedom Services, Inc. (EFS), a social service program providing supportive living services to adult population with developmental disabilities. His husband Luis oversees Luis E. Mendez & Associates, Inc., which is a service providing money management and payee services to individuals with intellectual disabilities. He is responsible for managing finances, making sure bills are paid on a timely fashion and that funds last to cover the costs of their daily living expenses.
Rosemarie describes her husband as kind and generous. “He is a hard worker and is ambitious. He is also caring, God-fearing and is a very supportive husband to me. He is always encouraging and is supportive of my goals and aspirations. He is a wonderful son to his mother, kind brother to his siblings and family. He is a great son-in-law to my mother and a great father,” Rosemarie added. Luis, on the other hand, loves Rosemarie’s sense of humor and considers her to be very hardworking, intelligent, and with a great personality to boot.
Luis and Rosemarie were both immigrants. Luis hails from El Salvador in Central America and migrated to The United States in the early 80’s. While Rosemarie, migrated to the U.S. shortly after working as a Secretary to the late Senator Ernesto Maceda and his younger brother Boyie Maceda. She was a scholar at the University of the East in Manila in High School and majored in Political Science at Trinity College of Quezon City in the Philippines. As with most immigrants, she considered the first few years to be the most challenging.
“You are learning to navigate a new country as well as trying to find yourself in a new culture and environment. It took a great deal of determination, hard work and patience.
To be in America, someone needs to be a hard worker. Takes courage and patience. I worked two jobs for 7 years to make it. I also made sure that I go back to school to make sure to be able to compete and level with in the playing field. I believe in kindness, credibility is important, being a hard worker and always being humble and keeping your feet to the ground. Always remember where you come from and the people who helped you along the way. I treat people the way I wanted to be treated. Do not burn bridges,” she shared.
No doubt, Luis fell in love with Rosemarie. She’s such a strong and determined woman. I asked her what could be one of the challenges they encountered as a couple and she answered: “Marrying someone with young children and an ex-wife is not easy on my part.
Thankfully, I always have been independent. That helped a lot for me as I have my own life when my husband was busy being a dad to his young children. It helps to be kind and learn to share. In the early years, I have to share Luis for his time. Through God’s help and blessings, together, we were able to overcome our difficulties. “
Luis has two children from his previous marriage; Jose (30), who works with them in their family business, and Alejandra (28), who is pursuing Nursing. Their biological daughter (and the youngest) is Marylou will be 21 years old in June. Marylou is studying to be a registered Nurse Practioner.
Through the years and in spite of all the challenges they face, there is nothing that they cannot overcome together. For Rosemarie, it’s kindness, respect and romance that keep them strong and united. “Kindness is very important. Saying thank you and please.
Respect, being caring, compromise is a wonderful thing. Learning to be able to forgive each other. Humor is important. You need to be able to laugh at each other’s joke.
Understanding and patience are some that I can think of. Always keep the romance alive.
We still go out on dates, usually on Saturdays. We go on vacations once or twice a year and bond as a family. We make sure that we are involve in our children’s lives.
“My prayers are that God will continue to bless our family. I pray for my husband and for his great health and a long life so we can enjoy each other and our family through our old age.”
I am certain that God will continue to bless them. I strongly believe that couples like them who love and respect one another and inspire people like me, are the ones who are most blessed.
To my favorite and hashtag #couplegoals: Keep the love alive and the passion burning. Happy 25th Anniversary. I wish you more years of blessed togetherness.
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Monet Lu is a Marikina-born, award-winning celebrity beauty stylist with his own chain of Monet Salon salons across Southern California and Las Vegas, Nevada. Ultimately, Monet is known as an all-around artiste who produces sold-out fashion and awards shows as well as unforgettable marketing campaigns. Monet is also the founder of the revolutionary all-natural beauty products such as Enlighten, your solution to discoloration . To contact Monet, please visit www.monetsalon.com or email him at [email protected]
