16 Months

It's been 16 months of happiness and love. But it's also been 16 months of learning from one another and learning to seek compromise. Because we all know that love isn't just rainbows and butterflies. It's about holding on, getting through the rainstorm, and finding sunlight to see the rainbow... and the butterflies. So Happy 16 months of holding on to umbrellas and jumping puddles and singing in the rain together, my Love.

365 Days

365 days. Its been 365 days since the official beginning of our journey together, yet it surprises me somehow, that it's only been 365 days because I know to both of us, it seems like its been more than that. Over the year, I have witnessed the growth and development of our relationship. You've broken the walls I built from fear of giving love another chance, and you showed me day in and day out that there is such a thing as unconditional love and support. We've visited countless places together, from cities to mountains to beaches, from my hometown to your hometown. I've learned more about myself by living life with you than I could possibly ever imagine, pushing me outside of my comfort zone, only to find magic at every turn. I couldn't be more grateful for every second spent with you because you're more than I could ever ask for. Happy Anniversary my Love! You know what words come next...

Happy 25th Birthday, My Love.

To the most kindest, understanding, sweetest, humble man (with a mix of weird and funny) I know. Happiest birthday! Thank you for the smiles. They're always bigger when you're around.

WILMINGTON Weekend

To visit my friend, Rona, in Wilminton, North Carolina has been a part of my little bucket list ever since she moved here to America 3 years ago. And at long last, I can put a check mark to that on my list, thanks to my very supportive boy-friend who rented a car for us and drove 9 hours to get there. It was quite a trip but all worth the weekend of spending quality time with one of my bestest friend and being introduced to her laid-back, beautiful hometown.

Arrived in Rona's home at 5 o'clock in the morning, and just about to sleep. We later woke up around 9 in the morning to get ready for a short roundabout in Wilmington.

Finally got to ride in Rona's baby and had my first experience with her driving (and I must say, she's a great driver!)

 Rona's room in her apartment. I love her little corner of string lights and photos by her bed.

Exchanging meets! Rona met Dexter, my boyfriend and I met hers, Shane.

It was pouring hard that day, but it didn't stop our plans from going out. We rose to the occasion! And just before sunset, the rain had stopped and we landed with our Chucks on the beach.

Our second/last day in North Carolina (didn't exactly happen in North Carolina) was at Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. It was almost a 2-hour drive away Wilmintgton.

It was a pretty good day on our last day there considering the warm weather and all the fun we had.

Until next time, Rona and Wilmington...

That Central Park Bench

New York City is where our love was bred and Central Park was the next trip we went to for our first date together after visiting St. Patrick's Cathedral. We decided then that we would try to slowly tour around all the attractions and sceneries in the park - in different days, of course. Strawberry Fields was the first location I suggested we go since I wanted to show you the caption "Imagine" on the memorial mosaic. That day I was wearing my gray cardigan which I've also kept for the sentimental value of my Mama, it's the only clothing I have left that she fixed and sewed together a ripped part on the left arm of the cardigan before she passed away. I was telling myself that I'd tell you about my Mama and my gray cardigan but we got so busy having fun walking around the park that I totally forgot about it. The day grew hotter and I took off my cardigan, tied it around my bag, and hadn't thought about placing it inside my bag instead. We took pictures together, held hands while walking and happened to come across a turtle crossing the pavement to the other side of the grass. We're no longer at Strawberry Fields but some place in the midst of the park surrounded by so many trees, until then, I realized my cardigan was no longer tied around my bag. I started to panic, knowing that was the only effort I have left of my Mama's sewing talent. I told you the story about it, and you told me to calm down, that we'd trace our path back to where we started. I was already sweating bullets pacing faster and faster, keeping my eyes open to the possibility of finding it. We passed the area where we encountered the turtle and back to the little garden tunnel where we took pictures, and there it was, my cardigan was found placed on top of a bench. Feeling so relieved, we sat down to catch our breath on the bench next to where it was. I sighed with much more relief. We looked around and found a quote screwed on the bench written on a silver plaque, by Irinochka, it read "May not always be right, but never wrong." In response to that, I said, "Mama, what are you trying to tell us?"

Sometimes life brings us to a certain situation where we know that what we're doing is wrong, but because were trapped inside this box of elation, we continue to do whatever it is that makes us happy. When we talk about love, maybe even true love, the wrong things may not always be wrong because there is no wrong when it comes to love.

What we had or what we did wasn't right because you were stuck in a relationship with someone else. Although, that day, I took it as a sign. Maybe it was all meant to happen. Going to Central Park, losing my cardigan, finding it on the bench, and realizing that someone must have placed it there - to whomever it was, thank you. Maybe this is all meant to happen. Maybe we are meant to happen.