26 No More: A Birthday to Remember

The Notebook

  "I'm a self-confessed chick flick junkie." I may be a little boyish, but believe me from "Pretty Woman" to "The Notebook," I've watched them all. And yes, at times a little tear escapes from my being so engrossed on the plot.

I would describe my birthday celebration this year as "momentous." Supposed to be we're going on a hike in Mt. Pico De Loro, but Junni and his new girlfriend asked us to just go to their farm in Bataan. We were so excited since we saw the pictures of the farm that Junni sent us. It has a pool, mango trees (which means fresh air), comfy house to stay in, and most of all we had the entire farm to ourselves. April's folks is very hospitable. They made lunch for us and since it was mango season that time, they gave us a sack of mangoes to take home.

M Farm - Balanga, Bataan

Where we stayed

The Pool

Chicken Kebab Ala Paulo

Grilled Liempo and Eggplant

Chicken Kebab Ala Paulo

Crab

Shrimps

Ripe Mangoes

A brief flashback, two or three years ago Paulo and I were already planning for our future. In fact, we've decided that on my 27th birthday we will get hitched. So now you know why I'm a bit elated to celebrate my birthday. Yes, I was expecting his proposal. All day I was thinking about it, how he would do it, where exactly he plan to do it, and the question that's been bugging me the most - if he's really planning to propose.

The day dragged on and still nothing. So that's when I thought to myself that maybe today's not "the day." I may have been a little disappointed that time and it showed when I tried to pick a fight with him. Harhar. He was acting a bit distant and so that's my cue to stir the pot. It's so petty, I know. After all that drama, I learned that he's acting all weird because he's jittery planning the proposal.

Time to himself

It was the most romantic moment in my entire life. He may not have planned it the way he wanted it to be, but whatever, for me it was perfect! I didn't thought I would cry, but when I saw his teary eyes I was lost. I clung to every word he said, he couldn't prepare a "written speech" that morning because he said I was with him all the time. That's also the reason why he couldn't set his entire plan, I wouldn't leave his side. Well at least what he said is spontaneous and real. It all made sense after, that's why he was tensed and distant. And of course our friends was his accomplices. Junni even hid the ring for him because they thought I might snoop around his things and see it. A round of applause for you guys!

Still a little teary

Right after the surreal moment

Engaged!

We're getting married!

As of today, we're almost done with the whole wedding preparation, from the Church reservation to the meeting of our parents or should I say "Pamamanhikan." I'm actually excited to share my wedding prep experience here. Believe me when I say that planning a wedding is not that hard as long as you have enough time to do all the work and patience to look for the cheapest suppliers, especially if you have a tight budget like us. It's fun and exciting, but with it comes the stress of budgeting and tedious work of searching for a reliable supplier.

Anyway, we're a month away from the big day. We've been receiving marriage advice from a lot of our married couple friends and relatives lately, and I think I agree with most of them. I specifically like Paulo's grandma's advise she said, "Kung anoman ang napagtalunan ng araw na iyon wag kayong matutulog sa gabi ng di naguusap at nagkakaayos, kung mainit ang ulo ng isa wag nang sabayan nung isa." I will try my best to always keep that in mind. The seminar conducted by the church was a good help too. It made us think more clearly about what we're getting into. Hopefully everything will work out fine, so we can start a happy "once upon a time" together with no uncertainties.