NaBloPoMo 11: Celebrate Every Day

Today is my parents 39th wedding anniversary. They didn't know each other when they immigrated from the Philippines. They met on a blind date - his roommate and her roommate introduced them (notably they to are still married too). My parents had a whirlwind courtship before my father was sent off to Vietnam. Their courtship continued through letters. When my father was on R&R in Oahu my mother met him there. They got married in a civil ceremony and celebrated afterwards at a luau.





The next year after my father was released from the Army my parents had a traditional Catholic wedding ceremony. My mother wore a dress my grandmother's design shop created (I wore this same dress on my wedding day, but had it altered to be more modern). She was breathtaking and my father was so handsome.





The early years of their marriage was not easy. My mother worked full time while my father put him self through college. Then he got his first job when I was born. To make ends meet both of my parents worked full time while I was cared for by a nanny. Eventually, my mother quit her job as VP of a bank to get her cosmetology license so that she could have a flexible schedule when I started kindergarten.

My father retired a few years ago from the company that gave him his first job. He planned for his retirement, has been generous to his family and loves my mother with all his heart. My mother has always been the matriarch of the family, providing good haircuts, even greater food, sound advice, constant support and loves my father back with all her heart.

I love the relationship my parents have. They love each others strengths as well as each others weaknesses. They bring out the best in each other. They learn from each other and teach each other. They have the same interests and love to experience new things together. And, they love to spend every minute with each other. Today, I asked my mom if they were going to do anything special for their anniversary and she simply told me:

"Dad and I will just go out for Japanese sushi tomorrow....nothing elaborate....we've already celebrated by going to Alaska and Maui. Everyday is an anniversary for us, you get to our age we want every minute we are together to count because we don't know how many more years we will be blessed with good health."

Congratulations, Mom & Dad! I hope and pray that you both remain in excellent health so that you can celebrate every day for many, many, many more years. I love you!