Rejuvenated!...a Valentine hangover...

My husband and I spent our Valentine's weekend at Clark, Pampanga... it was the first time, since we got married that we've ever been together sans our children. And I should say that it was such an exhilirating experience. A time of renewal, rediscovering and reminiscing. We both had fun going the rounds of Clark, watching the airborne shows at the Hot Air Balloon Festival, taking each others' picture, laughing together, laughing at each other, (and sometimes hahaha) at other people, having henna tattoed and being together...alone...at last! In the past my husband and I would always plan weekend dates but often find ourselves going back home because I would tell him that I already miss our children. I sure wish we had done this earlier as it brought me and my husband closer together. We stayed at the Oxford Hotel which was located inside the Clark Freeport Zone. We had dinner at the Oasis Hotel and we enjoyed the buffet and the acoustic songs being rendered by the poolside. This Valentine's I got a ring from my husband and my favorite chocolate (which still brought me "kilig moments"). I hope that 10, 20, 30 and pushing it even...40 years from now we would still remain as close, as sweet, as caring, and as intensely in love as the first time we laid eyes on each other.

Wedding Anniversary and Kahlil Gibran's thoughts on Marriage

Then Almitra spoke again and said, "And what of Marriage, master?" And he answered saying:

You were born together, and together you shall be forevermore.
You shall be together when white wings of death scatter your days.
Aye, you shall be together even in the silent memory of God.
But let there be spaces in your togetherness, And let the winds of the heavens dance between you.

Love one another but make not a bond of love:
Let it rather be a moving sea between the shores of your souls.
Fill each other's cup but drink not from one cup.
Give one another of your bread but eat not from the same loaf.

Sing and dance together and be joyous, but let each one of you be alone, Even as the strings of a lute are alone though they quiver with the same music.
Give your hearts, but not into each other's keeping. For only the hand of Life can contain your hearts.
And stand together, yet not too near together: For the pillars of the temple stand apart, And the oak tree and the cypress grow not in each other's shadow.

--excerpt from Kahlil Gibran's "The Prophet"--

I remember sometime ago, when my mother coming home from work brought a seemingly old hardbound black book with her. I vividly recall that the only words you can see at the front cover were its title --- The Prophet. My mom and dad are voracious readers hence, my sisters and I shared the same passion when we were younger. I was curious about the black book that I began reading it and by the time I was done, I was so into Kahlil Gibran that up to this day I refer to The Prophet once in a while especially at times when I feel I am at a crossroad.

However, today, I am quoting Kahlil Gibran’s message on marriage because tomorrow, the 4th of February, my parents celebrate their 42nd Wedding Anniversary. When I was younger, I used to think that my parents were just there and just that. I never realised how much one has to work hard for a marriage to survive. As kids growing into “hormone frenzied” teenagers we’d think that Love and having a boyfriend was all sugar and spice and everything nice while Marriage is a bed of roses. While I bear no complaints about my own marriage, I do agree that, Marriage is serious hard work. I am thankful that my mother taught me and my sisters to cook and do house chores. Although no one can maintain the same standards my mom has at least these skills had us prepared. 42 years of Marriage is indeed a milestone, these days, couples are lucky if they get past 10. I am proud to have parents who have done everything for our family to survive. I am a proud daughter to parents who has instilled in us the value of kinship hence, this is the same thing I do with my own children today.

I continually pray that my own marriage would follow the same path that my parents has taken, luckily my husband’s parents (although my father in law has passed away years ago) holds the same belief.

To you Papa and Mama Cheers on your 42nd Wedding Anniversary! May you have more years together so that, we your daughters, and your grandchildren continue to bear witness to your love story...

My 50th Blog Post

And because this is my 50th entry I would like to dedicate this space to my loving husband Ranel. The first time I met you, I must admit that I had constant reservations whether our relationship would work out. Why? Because from the start you were so strict (like my Mom) while I valued my independence you always wanted to know where I was going, with whom I was with -- things that I would rather keep at bay while we were not yet married. You never failed to amaze me with your deep understanding of the world around, you never faltered on your beliefs. You knew what you wanted to happen in your life. Early on the relationship you affirmed of a lifetime together while I did not want to hope and get hurt again. But you were true to your word after 2 years we finally got married. We planned everything together ... I saw the excitement in your eyes and felt how much you were looking forward for that to happen. I remember one night coming back from work … you were so excited and knelt in front of me. You then presented me with a ring and again proposed and told me how much you wanted to marry me. Timidly you said that it was not an expensive ring … daddy just to let you know … that did not matter to me… I saw beyond that ring … something more precious, something that can never be bought anywhere. And it was your love … you keep asking me if I have had any regrets over the years for not marrying a rich man. Wealth is nothing without the kind of love you have surrounded me and our children with. You are a fantastic self-made man I know there is no one else like you who could make me laugh as hard, smile for no reason, and with whom I can be myself. I love you my husband, my soul mate, the father of my children, my best friend and counselor, my critic and the love of my life.  Thank you!

I chanced upon this poem written by Teri Sprinkel

When We First Met

When we first met,
in my heart I could feel
the warmth of your smile,
and I knew that we would
share something special
that many people
only dream of......

Though time has passed
since the day we first met,
I can sincerely tell you
that I love you more through time,
We've seen both good and bad times,
and I feel they have
strenghtened our relationship,
making it one we can always count on.
I thank you for always being there
to embrace me when life
becomes difficult,
for warming my spirit
and returning my strength.
I thank you for filling
my life, my heart,
and my dreams with unending love.