The Marriott of our story...

I was falling in line in a long queue at Ayala's terminal on my way home when my eyes caught the sight of Marriott's building. I felt my lips expanded from a smile as joy overflowed my heart from the beautiful memories I shared with Ryan in the building when he came to visit me twice. It was my first time to stay in a big and sophisticated hotel. My first time to plunge in the comfort of a big bed and air-conditioned room. My first time to deep into the pool. My first time to have a sumptuous buffet breakfast. I remember I was confused what food to get. LOL.

It also reminded me of the night when Ryan and I bravely walked and danced under the rain from watching a movie in Ayala Mall on our way home to Marriott. We reached the hotel soaked in rainwater and I was shivering because it was too cold. He prepared me a warm bath. How sweet my man was.

Marriott Hotel will always be a part of our love story. I thanked God for the beautiful, unforgettable memories we created there. It was a privilege staying in that building with the man I've always longed to be with for the rest of my life.

Welcome to the family Caden Rhyze!

I heard my kuya waking me up around 3:30 in the morning on July 5. His wife Lotes was starting to labor. She was due this month and everyone was expecting that she'll give birth anytime soon. Everyone in our neighborhood woke up when they found out that Lotes started to feel pain on her groin. She was sent to Velez Hospital around 6AM when the pain was already successive.

The baby was born at 10:13 in the morning by normal delivery (thanks God). He is 7.3 pounds. His parents named him Caden Rhyze. When I first heard of his second name, I told them that it sounded like a combination of Ryan and Riza. LOL. Also, Rhyze is pronounced as "Rhiz."

When I reached the hospital bringing with me the breakfast I made, the baby was not there yet. He was kept in the nursery. I noticed my kuya's eyes were damped. I knew then that he cried. Most probably because of joy in his heart as a first time father. And also the relief that finally his baby was safely delivered and the mother was safe from danger. Actually it made me think of God. I was thinking --- if my kuya cried because of so much joy in his heart as he becomes a father, how much more God who is the Author of creation? I do not think I can fathom the greatness of joy God felt when He saw the newborn Caden.

The baby was handed to his mother almost 8 hours from the time he was born. My kuya was not there though. It was really crazy because the moment I saw the nurse carrying a baby and walking towards Lotes' bed, I squeaked because I could not scream the joy inside me in the hospital or else the guard will drag me out. LOL. Caden melted all of our hearts. He looked so fragile. I was too careful when I cradled him in my arms, afraid that I might break his bones :D

My kuya immediately lifted the baby in his arms when he saw him. His smile was so big. It reached from one ear to another :D The joy in his face was overwhelming. Are not the pictures too obvious? :) I wonder what went through his mind when he cradled the baby in his arms. He must be screaming inside "I'm a Daddy!!!" :) :) :)

It felt so great to finally see Caden. I was so happy seeing the three of them so happy as a family. They are finally complete as a family. Before I bade them goodbye I kept teasing my kuya that he looked so blooming and that his eyes kept sparkling. He blushed. LOL.

Welcome to the dela Peña family Caden Rhyze! The beautiful future is waiting for you. God bless you all the days of your life!

To the man who calls me "baby boo" : An Open Letter

Everytime I think of that name, I couldn't help but get tickled inside. It makes me feel like I am 18 years younger. I'd be in high school then, in my senior years exploring what puppy love is all about. I really don't have any idea how and when did that name start buzzing your sweet mind. Let me guess. Was it when you heard a song on the radio while driving on your way to work? Or could be, you heard it from one of your favorite character on a TV show. Or perhaps you overheard it from someone in the grocery while picking up stuffs. Oh, I have a lot here in my mind to guess. But for now, I want to rest my probing self and allow my mind to relax in the tranquility of our memories.

It's funny. When you told me the total number of hours, minutes and seconds that we're together, I laughed and said to myself, we really think alike. Yesterday, after you signed off for bed, I calculated the same and even thought of including it in my email for your morning. I decided not and thought of reserving those million counts with me.

Literally we are together for 17544 hours, 1,052,640 minutes, 63,158,400 seconds. Wow. Our life has been tied up together for more than 63 million times? If we will convert that into Philippine peso, we're already millionaires. How much more if that will be converted to US dollar. That should make us billionaires! I wonder if that amount will make us the richest in the world after Bill Gates. But you know one thing I am sure of? We are indeed the richest in the world. Not of money and assets that are perishable, but of love which no amount will ever compensate. Each second that we spent together, were the most priceless seconds sewn continuously with hope and faith that created the most precious thing in this world everyone craved for...love. And we have it. We found it in each other. Are we not one of the "luckiest" in the world? Actually, we are beyond the luckiest for luck is only for people who believe in coincidences. We believed that ours was already written even before this world was created and has been ordained to happen at the right time, at the right place. I am quite glad we made and acted exactly the roles that we were called for to play. And so, we have reaped our best actor and best actress awards. Our scriptwriter, director and producer was proud and pleased.

How many times were we tested? How many harsh waves blew our way? How many storms challenged our strength? I could no longer remember how many and where each of those go. All I see now are two lovely couple, walking hand in hand, facing the sun and follows where it leads them --- to the beautiful future that was promised long before.

Our time apart is getting short everyday. But I admit, lately I was feeling it's still a long way to go. I think I just couldn't wait to be finally with you for good. Can you blame me? Can you blame me for this yearning inside to see your beautiful smile when I open my eyes every morning? Can you blame me for my body's longing to have your arms wrapped around me when I desire it? Can you blame me for the security I need to cry on your shoulder when things are not ok? Can you blame me when my mouth hungers for your kiss?

Yet I came to realize --- what is two months compared to 731 days of which 98% of it was spent deprived from your touch? It is not really that lengthy from now than I thought it was. Beginning tomorrow, I will wake up with doubled excitement. Yes, I will keep marking my calendar everyday of the number of days that are left until we are together again.

Going back to calling me "baby boo," when did it really start? How? I think, of all the names that you have called me and will call me, that will be my most favorite. I don't know why, but everytime you call me "baby boo" I get so tickled and I feel like I am this young lady in my sweet 16 being wooed by my high school crush. Ha ha. I really can't help it. I am also glad you did not spoil that name too much. You only call me that name when you really feel like it. By doing so, I get so thrilled and giddy everytime I hear it from you. And I know that when you call me with that name, it's special...very very special.

To the man who calls me "baby boo":

I love you. Happy Anniversary. Cheers for next year's celebration.

P.S. Did you know that I like everything that we are?

as a silly couple as a corny couple as a sweet couple and more..............