Stories & Updates

Happy heart's day!  If you are a Catholic like us, it is also Ash Wednesday and signifies the start of Lent season. 

I tease my husband, whose love language is service sans the frills, that I have seen the pattern.   He gives me flowers only on leap years.   So there can be no more element of surprise, for the life of us!  😆 I have come to understand that for him, buying flowers on this day is an awful waste of money, highly commercialized as it is.   We'd often celebrate with food which is one thing that is always good to spend on and one that we always agree on.  Our staple -- any dish with salmon.    Salmon, back when we were still in the Philippines, is still a splurge but the clincher why it is the highlight of our Valentine's day >>>  IT FILLS our tummies and satiety!  Of course over the years, salmon has become just any regular staple in our menu at home.   Oh but the taste memories remain special!

That changed, ever since our little girl started being aware of Valentine's day.  He is kinda compelled to give the two of us flowers (in addition to salmon). 😁  Just one of his many ways of setting up the bar so high for any guy who might attempt to steal our girl from us.  (Coz take her away from us, he will right?)  So whoever that guy will be, he must be weighed, measured and deemed WORTHY.   😅  This year's beautiful bouquet were red tulips.   I could almost see my husband's thought bubble while buying it --  too bad there were no mark-down sales at closing time!  🤣

Two things that stood out to me this year --- one, it doesn't seem to be as commercialized or highly celebrated here in WA.  Back in the PH, V-day merch prices go to the roof, even restaurant bookings and yeah, all rooms in hotels and what-nots.   I am not sure if it is because we kinda live in a pretty mellow community and we are a bit far from CBD.   I can't say I miss the commercialism, I honestly like that there was no oversupply or shortage at that of anything V-day related.   Just another thing to love about West Oz!  The second one is, my kids asked me why V-day is not a Catholic holiday.  It was afterall, the day of St.  Valentine.  And so, I had to go to trusty, friend Google for a sensible response.  I ended up with because there is no clear origin or historical basis and that in fact, there have been multiple St Valentine and many other theories supporting why it is just not a Catholic, or anyone's religious celebration for that matter.  

In reflection for this year's Ash Wednesday falling alongside V-day celebration, I saw someone shared how all love must eventually turn into ashes.  Our love's existence only lasting as far as the last person who remembers it after we die.  His love though is another matter, it is the only thing eternal.  I felt that.  I honestly did.  And while I do try to be true to my faith, I know too that I am not worthy.  Not even nearly.  And it makes it all the more amazing to realize that even so, we are loved nonetheless. 

Whatever Feb 14 means for you, whether you celebrate V-day, observed Ash Wednesday (this year), or if it goes just like any other day,  I can only hope it the day turns well any way.   Padayon! 🫰

My baby girl turned 7 over the weekend!   It was a simple celebration - much simpler than most would have it.     If the Latin American countries have their Quinceanera's, in the Philippines (or perhaps just in our family?), the 7th birthday is kind of a big deal.  That and the 1st year and of course, the 18th!  I guess in many ways, it is a big milestone -- one is no longer a little one though not quite the teenager? 

I remember my 7th and 18th birthdays were the only birthdays when I had a party with my friends.  I have thrown big parties for both my kids on their 1st birthdays, but after the last one, I had a total mindset shift on throwing parties...  And so, we entered or low-key birthdays era! 😉

Nonetheless, I make it a point to put up some decor just to make the day a little extra.   This year, my little girl asked that everything be kept a surprise -- as opposed to last year's where we had countdown leading to the day.   We went to our favorite ramen place, and she got to enjoy unlimited wishes and redeem a gift fund of limited value.   She has yet to claim her bobba treat and special bubble bath as we were all feeling under the weather and cold treats were held off until we all feel better...   We did however handed out icy poles to her classmates as a birthday treat!  Perfect for the >30C summer heat!

Simple but memorable, I'd say.   

How do you make special days special?  Are you the big party thrower or a low key celebrator like our family?  Maybe going on trips to make it even more memorable?