13

(Photo here was taken during our honeymoon in May 2000. We spent 7 glorious days discovering Kauai, the Big Island and Oahu. What great memories we made!)

It should've been our 13th wedding anniversary today. I should be waking up beside Reymond and planting a big kiss on him and giving him a tight hug (that's if he hadn't escaped yet to sneak in a bike ride or a long run!). We should be celebrating with our children and our extended family. I shouldn't be grieving for you, Darling. I'm still having such a hard time accepting my fate.

I met Reymond in 1996 at the birthday party of my good friend VP. He was with his girlfriend then and I was going out with someone else. There was no initial attraction. In fact, the only time he paid attention to me was when he found out I was a law student. Other than that, no sparks flew and we went about our lives after that fateful day.

Fast forward to 1998. I was still going out with someone but he was already single after his seven year relationship ended. He asked VP and her boyfriend Jingo (now hubby!) if he could go out with me. Both refused but for those who know Reymond, he remained undeterred. He started calling me, making excuses to see me and was making himself very visible at parties and functions of our mutual friends. I was very flattered by all the attention but I still wasn't sure about this man who was not bothered at all by the fact that I was in a relationship. In fact, he offered me marriage without even asking me to be his girlfriend! His explanation was since I already had a boyfriend, I probably didn't need another one. He said he was offering me marriage because he says my boyfriend then didn't have the guts to offer me that. The nerve, right? All my family and friends said he was psycho (haha!) but why wasn't I running away? Why was I still entertaining him?

Come mid 1999, it was just too difficult to resist this man's charm. I fell fast and hard and in one short year, I broke up with my then boyfriend, got together with him, got engaged and then got married. Not the most ideal beginning and a lot of people were wary of my decision but I persisted. I had no regrets then and I still believe that despite everything that has happened, marrying him was the best decision I ever made.

Mom always wondered why Reymond was in such a hurry. In a hurry to marry me, in a hurry to do so many things at one time, in a hurry to fix things .... just generally, in a hurry!

Now we understand. His time here with us was so short. He needed to do so many things so that he could fulfill his life's purpose and mission before his death. 

As I said, I still have a hard time accepting and grasping things but I continue to pray for God's healing hand. 

Happy Anniversary, my Love. You are no longer with me now but I continue to pray for our family. Please watch over me and the girls. I miss you so much, especially today. I love you, Darling.