22 years ago, Kap & I went on a honeymoon in the most romantic place on the face of the earth. Europe. It was a wedding gift from my mom. There was a catch though, the whole gang came along. And so, the honeymoon became a family trip, lol.

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On that trip was another young couple, also on their honeymoon. So young, so in love. The groom turned out to be the younger brother of Kap’s & my classmate in high school -who also got married to her high school sweetheart by the way. And so, our group of 5 became a tight group of 7. You know how we pinoys gravitate towards each other in far flung places. 😛 So we sat together, ate together, shopped together for the whole of 21 days.

I was young & foolish. Mapaghanap ako. Mapagkumpara ako. Dakilang inggitera ako. The young groom was very generous to his new bride. With affection, with words of affirmation, and most of all, with material things. Shopping left & right, with bulging packages on hand at every stopover. So I would always silently & grudgingly compare him to Kap –na alam nyo na ang tipo, yun bang hahawakan ko palang nagtatanoong na kung magkano at kung bibilhin ko ba! 😛 O yes, dati pa ganyan na talaga sya hehe.

As they say, the grass is always greener on the other side. A misconception, really. It’s not always true. And I’ll tell you why in the continuation of my story in a little while.

First, what we did on Valentine’s day..

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Lunch at Wild Ginger

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Sweet Endings at Dessert Kitchen

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Going back to my story. As I was happily eating my Purple In Love Shaved Ice on the bench outside, someone I barely recognized smiled at me. She was with her grown kids but she didn’t look a day old from the last time I saw her which is why I didn’t place her face at first. Then it dawned on me that this was the young bride who joined us on our European honeymoon. We are friends in Facebook but I hardly spend time looking people up, so I’m not up to date with acquaintances.

Kumustahan blues out of the way, I said “Hay naku, ang baduy ko talaga noh? (Pointing to Kap & the kids) Hanggang ngayon naka-family date pa rin ako kahit na Valentines”. To this she replied.. “Ok lang. Buti ka nga may kasamang asawa sa family date. Ako mga bagets nalang. Hiwalay na kami may 3 years na.” Trying to recover from my shock & so the conversation doesn’t become awkward, I asked how her SIL was, my former classmate. “Hiwalay na rin matagal na. Pareho kaming minalas  May 3rd party ang mga asawa”

Then she looks at my children & says before leaving. “Alam nyo ba, sa aming lahat, yang Daddy at Mommy nyo nalang ang solid? Lahat kami, pati A-ku, nyo nagsipag-hiwalay na. Sila nalang ang natitira“. I swear, I couldn’t swallow the grapes in my mouth because of the giant lump on my throat. Naiyak talaga ako! Buti nalang maliit lang yung kyoho grapes, kung hindi, malamang nabilaukan ako!

How truly blessed I am with my Kap! <3 And there I was that very morning, grumpily complaining that I didn’t have flowers. Walang chocolates, at walang card. Just a wet kiss & a bear hug from my one true love. When in fact I didn’t see the big picture, just a small piece of the puzzle. Here is my forever Valentine, standing right in front of me. He may not be showy, he may not be galante, but he truly & deeply adores me & is so very devoted to ONLY me. Nahiya naman akong bigla!

I looked up at Kap, who was right beside me waiting for dole outs from my shaved ice because he didn’t want to order one for himself & wanted to share from mine. With tears glistening in my eyes, I said “Thank you for staying with me Honey, I love you!”. Then I gave him a BIG KISS, and what’s left of my Purple in Love, around 1/8 I think –mga dalawang subo nalang. “O ito honey, ubusin mo na. Gusto mo ibili pa kita?”

He just smiled & shook his head no. Buti nalang humindi na sya. Ang haba kaya ng pila noh! 😛

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At wala man akong 3 long-stemmed red roses tuwing Valentines, nothing can compare to the 3 beautiful beings you gave me. A constant reminder of our love…

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Since 1986, 30 years Honey, we’ve come a looooong way. Happy anniversary. <3 All I can say is THANK YOU. For bearing with me, for respecting me, for loving me, and most of all, for staying true to your promise. Na ikaw at ako, our love is forever. At ano man ang mangyari, sa hirap at ginhawa, sa sakit man o kalusugan, habangbuhay, walang iwanan.

Next year, ok na ako, kahit sampaguita! Bili mo ako ha? 😉