My father was born March 10, 1949. If he lived, he’d be 61-years old, retired from the Philippine Army, a grandpa, and cooking his favorite Papaitan as pulutan (appetizer) for his birthday drinking party. He died prematurely in 1991 at the age of 41 on my mother’s birthday and their wedding anniversary. When he left us, my mother was in her early 30’s. I was 13-years old then, my sister was 11-years old, and my bother JC was a 9-month old baby. He was ‘Papang‘ to us, and ‘Papa Charlie‘ to everyone else.

I have once written about the day my father died. Today on his birthday, my sister, Jessica, writes about how he lived.

My Father on his early 20's

Pang

by Jessica

I may have several men in my life, but few that stayed in my heart even when they were gone. It’s my father’s birthday today, and although he passed away a long time ago, his memories linger in the present.

My father was a simple man. Simple but firm. He left us with too many good memories that even with my young age, i already treasured. My father was one of the few good men I have known in my life. Not even once have I experience any verbal nor physical abuse from him. He might have been a tough soldier back then, but when it comes to his family, he was so gentle and protective. He was very proud of me and my sister. I remember when he and his friends were drinking, he would let me sing in front of his friends and tell them how good my voice was(hehe, this is the reason why i always believed i have a beautiful voice even if nobody agrees). I always sang “The Greatest Love of All”. I memorized it. My father was very good in drawing and math. He always took the time to sit with us and teach us everything he knows and helped us in our assignments. My father, just like my mother is very good in advicing us in how we should see life. He would tell us that we should respect other people so other people will respect us too. He was also keen on discipline. Every morning at 7, he would jog just to make sure he stays fit. Every sunday, we go to mass and visit “Fort Pilar” (a place in Zamboanga for Catholics to worship Virgin Mary). When we go to this place, he made sure that he gave coins to the beggars lined up inside the worship place.

My Father on his early 20's

If there was one legacy that my father left with us, it was his thoughs in education. We were poor. My father was a soldier. My mother was a housewife. Although this was the case, my father sent us to the best school there was in our place. He always told us that we might be poor and he might not have any material thing that he can leave us when he dies, but he would be able to leave us the best education and we can carry that even to our grave.

When he died I was 11, my sister 13 and my brother just a few months old, I had that legacy engraved in my heart. I am thankful for the wisdom he left us. My sister and I were scholars in high school and college. We maybe struggling then, but because of hard work and my father’s legacy and my mother’s fighting spirit(which I am also thankful for), we were able to graduate with flying colors. My sister worked as a programmer for a while and now married and happy. I, after a couple of years of trying to find a job that will suit me, is for now content working in a TeleComs company. My brother is already in college and hopefully he would also find what he really wants in life.

To my father, although we have not spent too many years together, I still feel your presence. I will not be who I am today if not for the things that you have taught us. They may not be material things. They are greater! And no one can take those away from us. It is in my heart and in my soul. I love you Pang!

Related Article:

• It was a bleak, hot Monday morning

It’s our 6th Wedding Anniversary. I thought I’d share my wedding memories. To be honest, the events of our wedding is mostly a blur to me. It’s like it happened so fast, and I was just going with the flow. It’s like I had tunnel vision, and I was only reacting because I was just so overwhelmed. If not for the photos, videos and my especially-made wedding rites, I would not be able to remember some of the bits and pieces of it.

We didn’t go traditional on the wedding, because I didn’t want it so long. Also, I was limited with what we can really do, keeping it simple was the best option. It has a mixture of Catholic-Filipino-American ceremonies. I am so happy that  Father Blais, the officiator, didn’t insist on doing the Traditional Catholic Matrimonial Mass, and he was open to do the Filipino-and-American Symbolic Ceremonies.

And although, I am so grateful to my friends who helped us with taking the photos and videos, nothing beats wedding ‘photo and video’ professionals, that we didn’t hire. We concentrated on the ring, the cake, the flowers, and our wedding attires; and of course the food for the small gathering after the wedding ceremony, which by the way were prepared as favors by friends. We ordered the flowers from the nearest flower shop and my mother and I made the corsages, while hubby prepared the candles and ordered the wedding cake from Yokota. And our wedding attires are bought and custom made in the Philippines.

It was a cold and snowy in Nagano that day, I don’t know how I’ve survived in that dress.

Read about the days leading to the wedding:

• Our Love Story, In His Words (Part 1)
• Our Love Story, In His Words (Part 2)

Our Wedding

Michael and Charlotte
March 7, 2004
Okaya Catholic Church
Okaya City, Nagano Prefecture, Japan

Pre-Ceremony Wedding Song

I Can’t Help Falling in Love With You

Wise men say “Only fools rush in”
But I can’t help falling in love with you.
Shall I stay, would it be a sin
If I, I can’t help falling in love with you.

Like a river flows, surely to the sea,
Darling so it goes, some things are meant to be
Take my hand, take my whole life too
For I, I can’t help falling in love with you.

Like a river flows, surely to the sea,
Darling so it goes, some things are meant to be

Take my hand, take my whole life too
For I, I can’t help falling in love with you.
No I, I can’t help falling in love with you …

The Walk Down the Aisle

It was a short walk down the aisle. I was looking at everyone but not really seeing. But when I saw hubby’s smiling face as he was looking at me, I just kept smiling myself.

Exchange of Vows

We made our own vows. I remember I was so touched and teary-eyed after hearing hubby’s wedding vows that I grabbed his face to kiss him, but he stopped me and told me – it’s not time. Everyone was laughing.

You will always be my angel… -Michael

I will always love you no matter what … - Charlotte

We did the traditional vows as well.

I take you to be my lifetime partner
to be none other than yourself,
to have and to hold; for better or for worse;
in sickness and in health; to love and to cherish
both freed and bound by our love
for as long as we both shall live.

Blessing and Exchange of Rings

The wedding ring is the outward and the visible sign of an inward and spiritual bond, which unites two hearts in endless love. The circle, the emblem of eternity, and gold, the type of what is least tarnished and most enduring, are to show how lasting and imperishable is the faith now pledged. Let the rings, a fit token of that which is unending, be a symbol of the value, the purity, and the constancy of true wedded love; and the seal of the vows in which is pledged in the most solemn and sacred honor.

For we will laugh and cry,
Support and be supported,
Grow and then move forward into a greater world and
Through our love bring more love onto others,
I give you this ring in solemn token and pledge
Of my constant faith and abiding love
And as a seal of my vows to you,
Whom I will love and cherish above all others, forever.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son,
And of the Holy Spirit.

Candle Ceremony

Two candles that represents the bride and groom are lighted. The candles symbolize the Light of Christ, the same light they received at Baptism and now receive again to lead them in their new life as a couple. Our candles were lighted by the Best Man, Phil and my mother.

The Best Man, Phil

Mother of the Bride

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being. In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men.
(John 1:1-4)

Lighting of the Unity Candle

From the American Wedding Tradition, using each candles that represents the bride and groom, the center unity candle is lighted. This ceremony symbolizes the union of two individuals, becoming one in commitment.

Then Jesus spoke and said, “I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life.”
(John 8:12)

Veil Ceremony

The veil ceremony is one of the symbolic ceremonies of a Traditional Filipino Wedding. A white veil is placed over the shoulder of the kneeling couple. The veil symbolizes living under God’s protection and being clothed as one.

Veil Ceremony with Friends, Patrick and Lucelle

The man said, “This is now bone of my bones, And flesh of my flesh; She shall be called Woman, Because she was taken out of Man.” For this reason a man shall leave his father and his mother, and be joined to his wife; and they shall become one flesh.
(Gen 2:23,24)

Cord Ceremony

The cord ceremony is another symbolic ceremony in a Traditional Filipino Wedding. The cord is looped in a figure 8, the symbol of infinity, and placed over the couple. It represents the ties that bind the couple together who will now walk through life as equals.

Cord Ceremony with Friends, Arvin and Grace

Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant, does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered, does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures forever. Love never fails.
(1 Cor 13:4-7)

Marriage Prayer

O God our Father, we honor You in thanksgiving
for the joy, the beauty, and the sacredness of this hour
and for the gifts of life and love;
in life and love, for the gift of Matrimony.
We thank You for our lives, which we now pledged
to live for You, and for each other.
Lord, use our married life according to Your will
and make our love strong yet gentle and true.
In all that we are, let us glorify You.
O Lord Jesus Christ, You are the True Light.
We come before You as unique individuals,
but now clothed as one and bound together in unity.
Together we ask You, to bless us and our marriage.
and with Your light, enlighten our path and warm our hearts.
Strengthen us in the trials of life.
O Holy Spirit, be in our midst.
In the joining of our lives, grant us Your gifts.
When selfishness shows itself, grant us generosity;
when mistrust is a temptation, give us moral strength;
when there is misunderstanding,
clear our minds; give us patience and gentleness;
in pain and in sorrow,
grant us compassion to comfort each other,
strong faith and an abiding love.
Grant that we see long and happy days
and be united forever in the kingdom of Your glory.
Amen.

Nuptial Blessing

The Officiator – Father M. Blais

We call upon You, Almighty God.

Let each of us now ask God, in silence, to bless Michael and Charlotte, His children as they begin their married life.

(From the book of Common Catholic Prayers)

Father, by Your power You have made everything out of nothing. In the beginning You created the universe and made mankind in your own likeness. You gave man the constant help of woman so that man and woman should no longer be two, but one flesh, and You teach us that what You have united may never be divided.

Father, by your plan, man and woman are united, and married life has been established as the one blessing that was no forfeited by original sin or washed away in the flood. Look with love upon this woman, Your daughter, now joined to her husband in marriage. She asks Your blessing. Give her the grace of love and peace. May she always follow the example of the holy women whose praises are sung in the scriptures.
May her husband put his trust in her and recognize that she is his equal and the heir with him to the life of grace. May he always honor her and love her as Christ loves his bride, the Church.

Father, keep them always true to Your commandments. Keep them faithful in marriage and let them be living examples of Christian life. Give them the strength, which comes from the gospel so that they may be witnesses of Christ to others. Bless them with children and help them to be good parents. May they live to see their children’s children. And, after a happy old age, grant them fullness of life with the saints in the kingdom of heaven.

We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Declaration of Marriage

For as much as you, Michael and Charlotte have consented together in Holy Matrimony before friends and loved ones, and have pledged your faith and declared your unity. I now pronounce you, husband and wife.

- The Officiator

The Commentator, Susette

After-Ceremony Wedding Song

Looking Through the Eyes of Love

Please, don’t let this feeling end,
It’s everything I am, It’s everything I want to be
I can see what’s mine now, finding now what’s true
Since I found you – looking through the eyes of love.

And now, I can take the time,
I can see my life as it comes up shining now;
Reaching out to touch you, I can feel so much
Since I found you – looking through the eyes of love.

And now, I do believe
That even in the storm we’ll find some light;
Knowing you’re beside me, I’m all right!

Please, don’t let this feeling end,
It might not come again, and I want to remember
How it feels to touch you, How I feel so much
Since I found you – looking through the eyes of love.

The Wedding Entourage	The Wedding Entourage
With Friends of the Groom	With Friends of the Bride

Click photos to enlarge photos.

This is the 2nd part of our love story. You can find the 1st part at ‘Our Love Story, In His Words (Part 1)‘

During the weeks that followed we would chat online and call each other on the phone getting to know one another better. On the weekends, Michael would drive to Shiojiri or Charlotte would catch the train to Yokota so we could spend the weekends together exploring Japan or just lounging around watching movies. Sometimes if one of us had days off during the week we would make the trip to visit each other and have a longer weekend together. Day by day feelings grew for each other until one day we each realized that we were in love.

I can still remember the very first weekend he came to visit me. He took the train. I asked him once to bring me a flower, and didn’t mention about it again. I waited for him at the train station. He wasn’t hard to spot among the Japanese people in the station. I was hiding just observing him and he had his neck so long looking for me. He was in jeans and long sleeves polo shirt, carrying a black backpack and a single yellow rose in his hand. It wasn’t a test. It wasn’t a big deal if he had forgotten, but he didn’t forget about my flower … and my heart just melted. I still have the pressed yellow petals.

Between me and him, I was the one who said “I love you.” first, the very first time. He responded with, “I know. I can tell.” Thinking about this makes me want to strangle him. But, we have been lovingly saying “I love you.” to each other everyday since then and he usually say it first.

Yokohama Sea Paradise, Celebrating Hubby's Birthday in 2003

We both like watching movies. That has always been something we shared. But on our dates, if we weren’t just lounging and watching movies, we went to places that he not been through, which is outside Yokota Airbase. He has been in Japan for a little more than 2 years before he met me, but he has no place outside the base that he can speak of having explored. So with my minimal knowledge about the great places of Japan, I gave him the taste of Japan, got us driving to Yokohama and to nice places in Nagano, got him to go to church with me, visited Japanese parks, castles and shrines …

Okaya Yamabiko Park, Japan, Photo taken on 2003 Oct 18

In November of 2003, Michael asked Charlotte to marry him and she said YES. Michael wanted to get married in January 2004 with the belief that a new year with a new promotion and a new wife was a wonderful way to start a new life together. But Michael also wanted to give Charlotte a wedding with family and friends and since Charlotte was Catholic it would only be fitting to have a Catholic weddiing at the church Charlotte attended in Okaya, Japan. So, on the 8th of January 2004 we were legally married and we had a Catholic wedding in Okaya on the 7th of March 2004 with our family and friends.

By Christmastime 2003, just about 5 months after we first met, we were already engaged and had all the dates decided. On Christmas morning, among other Christmas gifts, he gave me a jewelry box. Inside it was a diamond ring … my engagement ring.

First Valentine Together, 2004

Originally, we were planning a wedding in the Philippines. During the planning stage, he showed me a map of the Philippines and he wanted to make sure where exactly was my hometown even though I had told him over and over the name of my hometown, and the location. I pointed out in the map my hometown at the tip of that big island in the south of the Philippines (Mindanao). Then he said to me in a really sad face, “I can’t go there.” Well, I kind’a knew that before he told me that! I knew it was a long shot to have our wedding in my hometown in the Philippines. It was the height of terrorism in the Philippines at that time, that tourists were highly discouraged to come, especially in my part of the country.

In February 2004 we got a house on Yokota and started moving Charlotte’s belongings from Shiojiri to Yokota, because after our wedding in March 2004, Charlotte was quitting he job to be with her husband in Yokota. In March 2004 we had a Catholic wedding officiated by Father M. Blais in Okaya, Japan with our closest friends and Charlotte mother who came from the Philippines from the wedding.

My mother came to Japan for the wedding. A few friends attended. It was small, but special. I am so glad that Father Blais, the officiator, didn’t insist on doing the traditional Catholic Matrimonial Mass but went along with me on doing just the Matrimonial Rites with a few tweaks to combine the Filipino and American matrimonial traditions. I asked some friends to take the photos and videos, and even asked some of them to cook for the reception. Ordered the flowers from the nearest flower shop and my mother and I made the corsages, while hubby prepared the candles and ordered the wedding cake from Yokota.

We had our honeymoon at a ski resort in Nagano, but neither one of us wanted to ski …

Our Wedding, March 7, 2004

We have been together for over a year now and have been married for the last 8 months.

Each day that passes we become closer than ever to each other and our love grows by each passing minutes. Our lives have been wonderful since the day we met each other and neither on of us would change a minute of time we have been with each other.

We have been together 6 years now. Tomorrow is our wedding anniversary. Our lives together is not without issues and problems, struggles and compromises but his statement above remains true until this day.

This is our statement and it continues …

Read about our wedding …

Hubby reads my blog from time to time. One time when I asked him what he did that day, he said he read my blog from the very first one I published to the current – that’s 3-years worth of entries. I don’t think he really minds about me blogging about him and our family. So far, he haven’t discouraged me about my blogging. So far, blogging has not been a big issue between us. He just don’t comment.

My sister follows my blog, and a few family and friends. Most of my friends blog, too. Friends and family who do not blog, I have to email them that I have published something that I know they would be interested in – like if I published my son’s photo, or after an occassion or celebration, etc. And I update my Facebook status about my blog. Only a few of leave comments, which is fine, ’cause most of the time we talk about what I blogged about.

Although, I know a few who would raise eyebrows about me disclosing our lives online, my blog hasn’t really become a big deal for those I blog about. And since I blog about my family and friends and they can read about it, the only problem there’s been is that I am so limited to venting or blogging about the more interesting controversial issues. That sometimes because I want to remain truthful, it’s just difficult to blog about topics that are interesting and controvercial with no consequences. But then, do I want to change anything about my blog, my style of blogging, or the people I blog about or those reading my blog? Not at all.

The weather did not permit grilled baby back ribs, unfortunately! It has been raining. At least it didn’t snow. But we placed the ribs in the oven, and had some roasted ribs instead with corn-on-a-cob! Yummy! We haven’t even touched the cake because we were so full…

Hubby did everything, from cooking to washing the dishes! And, he got me a really nice plant. I had to tell him not to go overboard when I told him I wanted a plant on my birthday. He does that – go overboard! When he and Matthew was out to get me that plant, I had to remind him again. In my imagination, he was going to get me a tree, and I will be really problematic if he did get me a tree.

It was a great day of lounging in the couch, watching movies, taking naps. Unfortunately, the nap time only goes for me and hubby alternately. Matthew didn’t nap at all, which is always bad during hubby’s day-off especially on my birthday, when we are looking forward to a nice hubby-and-me time. Sigh.

The day ended well, with me telling Matthew that we will continue mommy’s birthday the next day to eat the cake.

Celebrating my 32nd Birthday with family. All photos are taken on March 2, 2010. Click photo to enlarge the photo.

It’s not a maternity dress I’m wearing, but it’s a more forgiving dress for someone like me with a 33-weeks bulge in the belly.

Today is my birthday, I look forward to just spending time with my family, to just lounge in the couch. I’m glad hubby’s day off coincides with my birthday, so if the weather permits, he can grill some baby back ribs for me!

Yesterday morning, I woke up to a lot of thoughtful birthday greetings from friends in Facebook. I really appreciate the advance greetings! And I appreciate more what mostly got them to greet me. My sister wrote a very nice tribute for me in Facebook. I got teary-eyed upon reading it, and made me miss her a lot. To top it off, she had to post a very nice photo of us together. What she wrote definitely made my birthday extra-special this year.

My sister and I are just 2-years apart and we have shared so many interesting experiences together. She’s actually the one of my blog influences. Growing up together, she’s more than a sister and a roommate, she’s my best friend.

Get to know her more: Blog Influences, Sisters and Best Friends, Hazy Drift and Chasing Stars

Here’s what she wrote:

I have been thinking about writing about my sister. Our memories together were mostly spent 10 years back.

In kindergarten, my sister got the award for the Highest Honor. in grade school and high school,she was consistently top 3 in her batch (a batch that has an average of 150 students). In college, she was a scholar of DOST (Department of Science in Technology). This scholarship is granted to outstanding students all through out the country. She finished Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering and after that worked in Japan for Epson as a Software Engineer. My sister is very good in painting, singing, writing and cooking. she is a positive thinker, you will never hear any bad words come out of her mouth. She is very timid and proper. She thinks before she speaks. She would cry if she is hurt or angry but will never condemn you for making her feel that way. She is very forgiving and understanding. My sister just like my mom, has a very long patience but when it explodes, you might not want to be there. From what I can remember so far, I was the only one who dared to see that side of them, but of course they forgave me afterwards (hehe).

My sister Jessica at age-5 and me at age-7. Photo taken on March 1985.

I remember when we were young, I used to fight with her because I had to wash the dishes all the time. When I wash the dishes at lunch, she would be the one to wash it at dinner and vice versa. My sister is very smart, when I wash the dishes at lunch, she would empty all the big bowls and refrigerate or preserve the remaining food and then tell me to wash everything, including the ‘kaldero’. but when she is the one washing the dishes at lunch, since I am not that keen, of course leftovers are not transferred to ‘tupperwares’ and at night when it is my turn, I get to wash everything still. This had been going on from the time i learned to wash the dishes until I went to college which is pobably 10 years. the good thing about it though is that, I learned to love the job. My sister learned to cook very well, and since she is smarter, i end up buying the ingredients that she needs from the store which is a few blocks from our house.

When I had an assignment in grade school, my sister will teach me how to do it but will never do it herself, even if I bully her into doing it or make her feel guilty(which works most of the time, haha!)….

The last unforgettable memory I had with my sister was when I just turned 18. I had a boyfriend then, my first love who was 7 years my senior. He was notorious with girls and is a good friend of my sister also. This guy had been our friend since I was 12, we hang out a lot and fortunately/ unfortunately, my sister knows his ways. Since I am an expert in choosing the wrong men(unintentionally, even if at first they seem nice), this guy became my boyfriend. One night, we went out on a date. we went on the beach and it was ‘oh-so-romantic’, since i was in love, i was so into the moment and thought that everything was just perfect, until my sister from out of nowhere came out storming and wants me to go home. I was so angry, my anger lasted for more than a month. i made my sister cry. i told her countless times that she ruined everything. Now though, when I look back, I just laugh. Now I am thankful, I realized that she was just protecting me. I am thankful because I did not end up with that guy, haha! It turns out that big sister still knows best.

My sister has her own family now. She has a very beautiful son and in a few months is going to bear her second son. She has a very wacky and faithful husband(so I’ve heard) who loves her dearly (coming of course from kuya mike himself). They live a simple content peaceful life and I know my sister is very happy and is deserving of it.

If there was one person(other than my mother and brother) who I trust with all my heart and who I know will accept me completely, it would be my sister.

Manang, I love you. Although, i’ve hurt you countless times and had been mean sometimes(unconciously), I am just here. I know you almost have everything that you need,but if you want to laugh more or if you just need someone to talk to and make your life a bit stressful(hehe),you always have me. I may be a pain sometimes but I love you dearly!

The butterfly counts not months but moments, and has time enough. -Rabindranath Tagore

Did you know? An adult butterfly probably has an average life-span of approximately one month. In the wild, most butterflies lives are shorter than this because of the dangers provided by predators, disease, and large objects, such as automobiles. The smallest butterflies may live only a week or so, while a few butterflies, such as Monarchs, Mourning Cloaks and tropical heliconians, can live up to nine months. Source: North American Butterfly Association

I don’t want a butterfly’s lifespan – to live for just weeks or months, but I sure want my life be filled with great moments.

If we take care of the moments, the years will take care of themselves. – Maria Edgeworth

What is it about birthdays that make me look back to my life and somehow measure myself? I’m turning a year older in two days. I have to admit that it’s quite depressing since I don’t feel my age and yet more and more evidence of age are turning up. I’ve started counting gray hairs and wrinkles a few years back, and I wonder what more will I be seeing next. And the year added to my age feels like another year wasted on not accomplishing anything.

But over and over, I have to remind myself that my life should not be about my age, the time or years I’ve existed in this world. Life is about the more important aspects in life – happiness, meaning, and the friendship and love that we shared and received. These aspects make us sigh, smile and laugh, and swells our hearts. These more important aspects in life make up great experiences and great moments.

And sometimes, that moment of being satisfied with what we have is a great moment enough.

Life is not measured by every breath we take, but by every moment that takes our breath away. -Anonymous

Papi and Baby, Malling, Photo taken 2003 Sep 12

When we were applying for immigration visa for me to be able to come and live in the United States, hubby did all the paperwork. All I needed to do was make sure my name was spelled right and fix my signature.

Anyway, the fun part in the application process for me was the ‘Statement of Initial Meeting and Ongoing Relationship’ , where we technically had to state our love story. The better part of it is that – hubby wrote it.

Here it goes … our love story in his exact words. I have to adlib though…

22 August 2004

The following statement is explaining the circumstances of initial meeting and ongoing relationship between Micheal and Charlotte.

On 18 June 2003, we met through a mutual friend, Phillip R., who is the supervisor of Michael at Yokota Airbase Japan. At that time Phillip was dating June Y., Charlotte’s friend. Phillip invited June to Yokota to spend the weekend together and June brought Charlotte with her from Shiojiri, Nagano Japan near Matsumoto where Charlotte worked for Epson as a Software Designer.

Nagano, where June and I lived and worked, is 4-6 hours commute by train from Yokota Airbase. June didn’t want to go by herself, and asked me to come along. I went with her because I really wanted to see the airbase, but I think Phil didn’t like that I was there – the unwanted third wheel!

Phillip asked Michael to pick up Phillip, June and Charlotte from the train station in Fussa just outside Yokota Air Base. We were introduced and from that moment Michael believed he had met an angel.

I have to laugh at reading the statement – that he believe he had met an angel. I have once told him that he is only saying that to make me feel special, but he has been really consistent and he is really sweet like that…

Okaya Yamabiko Park, Nagano Japan, Photo taken on 2003 August 23

For Charlotte, it was a different story. Charlotte thought Michael spoke too fast and too loud and had a hard time understanding him and had thought she had met the devil.

I didn’t actually thought I had met the devil, but I didn’t like him at first! I thought he was too loud and swearing and cursing all the time. That on a casual conversation, his sentences would have swear words in between other words, plus talking fast, with that American accent. He was just so hard to understand. At one point, while hearing him talk, I keep asking what is wrong with this guy?, I could understand Phil, they are both Americans and they’re suppose to sound the same at least, but … he’s just weird.

But, as the weekend went on and we talked and spent more time with each other, Charlotte realized that she had met a wonderful man and not the devil.

What really softened me to him, is, at the night we arrived (Friday Night), while the four of us were hanging out watching a movie at Phil’s place, Phil and June were, well on their own, while I was stuck with him but completely ignoring him, Michael took my hand and softly bit my finger. I was really shocked at this gesture, but I thought it was funny that he must really like me that he was really trying so hard to get my attention. Anyway, as the weekend progressed, he played the guitar for me, talked about his grandparents and I just started to listen to him more.  Saturday night, we watched the movie ‘We Were Soldiers’. The next thing I know,… I was telling him to kiss me and he did.

Michael and Charlotte in Red, Yokota Airbase, Photo taken on 2003 Nov 01

By the end of the weekend on 20 July 2003 we knew that meeting each other was a wonderful thing that happened and thought we should continue seeing each other.

Well, actually I left it to him if he wanted to keep in touch with me. I left him my number without taking his. It was Sunday morning when we left Yokota. Sunday night, I was telling my friend, Susette, about him. She was happy that I had a nice time but she asked, ‘What if he doesn’t call?‘ The truth is if he didn’t call, I thought – it was a great weekend to remember. The reason I didn’t take his number so I would ridicule myself by desperately calling him if he didn’t call, but I was really hoping he’d call like he said he would. That night, at 10pm he called and asked about my travel back and how the rest of my day went. I was so excited …

Continued at ‘Our Love Story, In His Words (Part 2)‘.

Do you feel your age? How old are you at heart?

I think I have asked this question before but …

Anyway, I will be 32 next week, but I feel like I’ve remained 25 at heart because the truth is I don’t feel that I’m a day over 25!

When I turned 28, I was still working. With a few officemates, Japanese and Americans, we had a small birthday celebration for all the March Celebrants. I told everybody that I was turning 25! Those who really didn’t know actually believed me, and I never corrected that.

Now, I’m wondering if I can still pass up as 25 years old.  Eekkk … Maybe not.

Me and Matthew (3), Photo taken on Dec 8, 2009

Hear your heart. Heart your health.
~Faith Seehill

After being sick for days, coughs and colds, mild fever, pink eyes, fatigue, I’m glad we are recovering. Even my 3-year old Matthew is back to his energetic self.

After being sick for days and almost recovered, I am back to taking preventive measures to not get sick again – like drinking orange juice, making sure we’ll drink 8-glasses of water a day, being active, spraying lysol all over, …

Being sick is tough! But why is it always like that (for me anyway), that only after we get sick that we start to think and take measures to not get sick again.

If I’d known I was going to live so long, I’d have taken better care of myself.
~Leon Eldred