Gary and I literally started out with nothing. We began our journey as a couple full of love in our hearts, plans on our minds but a few cents on our pockets. It was Gary who initially felt financial pressure as he was about to support a studying wife and a growing son. Ten years after, we could only laugh at the struggles we had just to have a decent life. That, I think, is the advantage of experiencing life’s challenges rather than having everything in place from the very start. Well it may not necessarily work for every couple, we were just fortunate and blessed that a lot of our sacrifices paved way to a better life. A better life for me now doesn’t mean that I am rich enough to stop working and stay at home to watch over my kids. My husband and I still have to work hard to be able to take home enough monthly salary. Neither does it mean that all our needs are already met that we need not buy anything anymore. It’s all about seeing our kids experience life a lot better than my husband and I did when we were young. Our kids are not aware that what they are getting right now cannot be easily provided by a minimum waged earner. And that selflessness is a virtue that we as their parents have learned over the years. Yes! We can now buy a lot of things that previously we felt guilty about, or that we cannot really afford. No! We’re not rich as not to think twice before we spend our cash. But with God’s blessings and continuous hard work, we’re getting there.

I have written this article a couple of years ago…
With some re-touch, finally I can post it on my own site.

‘I felt I could die happily 13 years ago, hearing the
confession of the guy who for months was the object of
my affection. He was not the boy-next-door-type, he
was never predictable, he was not ordinary… and our
story neither was.   

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Married couples, more often than not, celebrate the anniversary of their wedding day. If this is a rule then, Gary and I are not complying. It’s not because we don’t want to honor the day we tied the knot, it’s just that we have a different date in mind.

April 3, 1995 was the day that we became special friends. This date is very important to us because we both believe that it was the day that God made us one. Our civil and church weddings just formalized our union for legal and religious conformity, the reason why we seldom mark their dates.

Now, 13 years and 2 kids after, a fancy dinner ahead in mind, Gary and I are still overwhelmed with this relationship that God has blessed us with. We continue to seek God’s unending grace to strengthen more the foundation of our marriage and family.

 A toast to Gary, Yeye, Marcus, Zach and most important of all… God Almighty!

A friend confessed that she’s falling in love. I told her, “I think so too…”
the sparkle in her eyes, blush on her cheeks, unexplainable smile on her lips says it all.
As my friend tirelessly raves on about her newly found love, I tried to imagine mine.
My husband for almost 10 years, special friend for more than 13 years… Gary remained the same,
well except for that additional 20 pounds on his weight.

Then my friend asked me the ultimate question, “How do I know if he’s the one?”
Hah! The question I never get tired of answering,
the question I find it easy to answer but seems so hard to explain…

“You’ll just know…”

I silently enumerated all the reasons that made us strengthen our decision… commitment, shared interests, unselfishness, physical attraction, communication, trust, faith…

Ooops! Let us not forget laughter… it’s the icing on the cake.

There is Understanding.
I now understand why he must play poker or go out with his brods,
And he also understands that once in a while I should be taken out on a fancy restaurant, see new places, and also meet some friends.

There is Sharing.
Not only do we share household worries and parental burdens - we also share ideas. I always tell Gary the new things I learn everyday, and Gary lets me experience all the beautiful things he knows. He also talks about his dreams, and asks me what do I think of it…

There is Forgiveness.
When I lost or misplaced something important, Gary forgives me.
When he forgets to do something I asked him to do, I shrug my shoulder and say, “It’s okay.”

There is Growth.
Now…
I do not worry much, especially on financial needs.
He spends more time with me, Marcus and Zach and thinks of himself less.

There is sensitivity.
I try to stay strong when things for him seems tough.
He, on the other hand, just makes me laugh when things get too serious…

There is faith.
When everything seems to be going against our hopes…
When all our efforts seem futile…
We stay with what we believe… “We keep the faith”

There is Knowing.
I know Gary hates to throw garbage; he’ll be late to most appointments and he spends most of his time at home blogging or watching TV.
He knows that I cry when I’m happy, I cry when I’m sad, I cry when I’m angry, I cry when I’m frustrated, I cry when I’m exhausted, I cry when I’m not feeling well…

Finally, there is Blessing.
Blessing from the family…
Most importantly, Blessing from Above…

I cannot imagine myself sharing and doing all these things other than with Gary.

“You’ll just know…”

She nodded and smiled.

I smiled back.