Post Valentine Blog Entry

My parents are the best examples of "opposites attract".

Married 42 years and counting and they've managed not to kill each other. That's true love right there! 😝

But all joking aside...

My parents have been the best example of what real love should be.

You don't need to think alike. You don't always have to agree with what the other person is saying. You don't have to pretend to like something the other does. You will argue. You will raise your voice towards each other. You won't talk to each other for a period of time.

But at the end of the day, they make it work. At the end of the day, they would sleep in one room and in each other's arms. At the end of the day, they keep the vows that they said in front of God and in front of each other. At the end of the day, there is respect for each other. At the end of the day, whatever differences they have, whatever misunderstandings, they come together as a unit. At the end of the day, they are one.

It's not about hearts and flowers. It's not about the big gestures. My parents show their love for each other on the smallest of things and they make it count.

Mama would make sure that papa's rice intake would not be too much. She would always make sure that his meds are complete for the week. She reminds him of his sugar intake. She saw to it they his needs were met for the day. She would make his favorite ulam, just because.

Papa would bring out his tools and create things for mama's convenience: The flower pot stands, the metal barrier on our garden for the dogs, the tables for the dirty kitchen. He may tease and kid around but he would listen to her and sees to it that he doesn't over do sugar intake especially when she's not there to remind him. He would reach out to her hand when they're at the mall so they won't get separated in the crowd. He would feel a bit glum when mama's not in the room and his face would light up when she comes in.

Valentine's Day for them is an ordinary day. Why? They don't need it. They don't need a special day to celebrate, because they celebrate their love for each other everyday. The smallest of gestures, the simple touch, the appreciation that they have for each other everyday.

My parents taught me, love is not about the hearts and flowers. That's just the bonus. Love is something that you have to work for everyday. Love is a struggle and a reward. It's contradicting yet complimentary. Love is having to see the flaws but still find it beautiful. It's working out the difficulties but then finding strength from each other. Love doesn't stop when you say "I do" but will continue on until "death do us part". Love is sleeping disgruntled but waking up smiling as you find yourselves tangled in each other's arms.

To everyone in love out there, Happy Valentine's Day. I wish you the same love that I see everyday in my parents, 42 years and counting.

Note: This entry was already posted on my facebook account. I just really wanted to post it here on my blog again for easy archiving.