1 

Today, on our thirteenth wedding anniversary, 

I just wanted to express my feelings deep inside 

But which words to use, I find difficult to decide 

2 

I could have written about our fave number thirteen 

That we consider lucky for us and our children

In their names the number and our history written

3 

I could have written about blessings that came our way 

Foremost are our children and the people we care for 

Earthly resources and otherwise, we have much more 

4 

I could have written about our wealth of experience 

Our projects and adventures, successes and failures 

Collected with passion to be where we wanna be 

5 

I could have written about our vision of success 

Many moments in our journey we chose happiness 

Ov’r a life of meaningless races and pettiness 

6 

I could have written about how wonderful you are 

Beauty that is not only a sight to behold 

But also evident to all ‘cause your heart is gold 

7 

I could’ve written about your remarkable talents 

The answer to “why is Rica such a great dancer?” 

You’re artistic, learn quick, adroit and a go-getter 

8 

I could’ve written about my luck that you're in my life 

And the years we were friends, before you became my wife 

And from thereon meaning, feeling, passion had been rife 

9 

I could have written about how great you make me feel 

That I can do anything, be what I wanna be 

That despite of and because of, you’ll be there for me 

10 

I could have written about thirteen years together 

Starting with our first one and every year thereafter 

But that would’ve taken volumes to write, years to finish 

11 

I could’ve written thirteen reasons I’d marry you ‘gain 

Though one is enough, the most important one at that 

Because we love and have each other no matter what 

12 

I could have written thirteen stanzas to make a point 

Of how much I love you and how much you mean to me 

I probably would, no matter how silly it’d be 

13 

Life has been great these thirteen years, the next I am sure 

Would be incredible, ‘cause we’re in for the long haul 

Together in this our journey to our final goal.

Happy 13th, my dear,

 

Twelve Years and Counting

A poem I wrote for Papa Sez on our wedding anniversary:

Photo courtesy of Panos Ipeirotis

I am so lucky I found you,

You taught me things I never knew.

You make me laugh, you make me cry

You cheer me up, Oh yes you try.

We almost missed saying “I do,”

But angels whispered we are meant to…

Now, it’s been twelve years and counting

We are happy and rejoicing.

Have you noticed in the past twelve years?

Together we conquered all our fears.

‘Coz we believed there’s nothing we can’t do,

If you’re with me and I’m with you.

Twelve colorful years and counting,

Precious moments swiftly passing.

Sweet memories and lessons learned,

For every page of life we turned.

Our blessings we selflessly share

With whomever we meet along the way.

May he be bum or gem in street,

We all journey with the same two feet.

Twelve years of marriage, four kids in carriage,

With happy hearts we go on with the voyage.

Until the day we park our cart,

When death will tear our lives apart.

That day, he fetched me earlier than he was supposed to and that left me scampering to get myself ready. We were supposed to visit a farm in the next town for a research project, passing through Mt. Makiling via the Jamboree road but we suddenly got off track as he drove the car pass through a secluded road.

As he noticed the questioning look in my eyes he explained that he is looking for a good spot to view the Laguna Lake in that part of the mountain. He then pulled out a ring from the pocket of his jacket and popped the big question, which he said took him hours (holding the ring in bed) to figure out. Well, actually he admitted that even at that moment, he had no clear strategy except to let his thoughts become words.

He phrased his question like this, “Dear, would you like to be the mother of my kids? I think it’s time we build our family.”

He placed the ring on my finger…there was no resistance on my part but still no answer. Caught unprepared, I didn’t know how to respond appropriately. The first thing that came out was “Dear, I have no Christmas gift for you yet” remembering that it was a day before Christmas.

“If you’ll tell me you are willing to be the mother of my children and to grow old with me, you have given me the best Christmas gift ever”, he said.

Our eldest child, now 11 years old, viewing Laguna Lake 12 years after the proposal.

That was the moment I said YES. However, I got too excited and failed to ask how many kids does he want to have.

It was a few weeks later that he said he wanted a big family with a DOZEN KIDS. Oh-oh, can I take back my YES answer? Just kidding, I didn’t even think of that.

Papa Sez is such a sensible person and we easily agreed that we will let the family grow as big as we can, ensuring that each and every child is given the emotional and financial support they need to be happy and become the best that they can be.

In a few days it will be our 12th wedding anniversary. Papa Sez and I were in a sentimental mood as we recounted how our paths crossed and how we ended up taking this journey together.

I thanked him for the ‘dozen happiness- isang dosenang saya’ and he jokingly asked what that means because we have only been blessed with four kids and not 12. I am referring to the 12 years of being together as a couple…the 12 years of happiness. The day we decided to become husband and wife, we were ready to become parents as well, and now we savor the flavors of this happy parenting journey.

“I look forward to several dozen more happy years with you Papa Sez... ‘til death do we part”.