The Best Year

I am normally maudlin when it’s the end of the year, but this time it’s different. I don’t feel a tinge of regret, unlike in the past years. In fact, I am full of anticipation for a meaningful and exciting year to come. 2007 has been full of amazingly beautiful things that are hard to contain. When I look back and reflect on everything that transpired, I could almost feel my heart flutter. Truly, this year is hard to beat and I hope for more years like this.

Last year, around this time, I was awakened from my slumber by my would-be husband, Amarind. I was unattached and living a prosaic life in the Philippines while he was living alone in the States with his son, Dylan. It was the most unusual ‘meeting’ of all, for we were just virtual strangers who coexisted through small pixels in each other’s screen. Although we were worlds apart, our closeness became more inevitable everyday. We discovered a commonality of interests and aspirations in a short period of time. We have shared childhood experiences and both longed for The One, not because we needed to but because we believed that in the theory that for every Yin, there is a Yang.

He always tells friends and family members that the probability of us meeting each other was nil. But, despite that impossibility, fate decided our course for us. On a cold morning of February, after flying halfway around the world, we finally met at Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Manila. My hands were cold and shaking as I foraged for him in a throng of people at the terminal. I guess you just know love when you see it, for when I saw him, I knew he was love. I could tell that he was also tensed for I could almost hear our hearts pounding so loudly in sync as I gently pressed my body against his.

The succeeding months were pure bliss. We were almost inseparable and being away from each other was unimaginably hard but we were assured that it was only temporary. We kept in touch everyday and could not wait to be together again.

During his second visit, he experienced several milestones in his life. First, he discovered the most profound of all things– the love of Jesus Christ. His newfound faith made him a new man and reborn to a new world. He started to live with a purpose and he abounds in God’s grace wherever he goes.

In April, he asked me to marry him in the middle of a sandbar in the island of Vigan, Palawan. I answered “yes” without any hesitation and we were officially engaged. We were too consumed with our love for each other, and lost in a feeling of exhilaration. We were away in a place that knows nothing of technology and civilization but we were content. We had each other, and that was all that matters.

May came and the most wonderful thing happened to both of us. It was when I found out I was having Daniel. Although we didn’t plan it at all, it just felt right. Right then and there, my perspectives shifted and I realized that I was going to be a mom, not only to Daniel but also to Dylan. It didn’t go as smoothly as I had envisioned, considering our cultural differences. In fact, everything was hard to fathom. I was not used to the nuances of being a mom, much more of being a stepmom. Eventually, I decided that either I accept everything and celebrate what I have rather than walk away.

In July, we got married. We were officially one. Although the American culture considers marriage as just another form of a contract, we both know that we are bound by a greater law and we are not only accountable to each other but to God. We truly believe that God brought us together in spite of all odds so we honor His covenant.

From August to November, we met wonderful friends from Church and we grew our faith with the help of our small group. We became closer to each other more than ever with the joy of waiting for the birth of our son. Yes, we became endearing parents to our unborn child.

It’s almost my due date now and I am nervous and at the same time excited to finally see baby Daniel. His brother, Dylan, could not wait to share his toys and play garbage with him. His stuffed animal friends– Poohya, Elliott, and Doggie– coudn’t wait to sleep with him. Mommy and Daddy will be here to love and care for him in every waking moment. And, God will always be by his side.

This Christmas, I have no other wish. I believe I have it all. I only have words of thanks to God Almighty for giving me everything that I asked of Him in the last couple of years. I am truly blessed to have found a wonderful man to share life and start a loving family with. I know everything happened so fast but for me, the pace is just perfect! In fact, I am all the more thrilled to see what life has to offer in the coming years. 2007 is just the start of so many blessings that await us. No matter what happens, we swear to constantly love each other and work together for our marriage and for our children.

From our humble abode and from all of us, we wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! We declare that 2008 will be a very prosperous year for us all!