Tri-Girlfriends

Last night, I had dinner with a special group of women. I call them Reymond's Tri-Angels. Day in and day out, Reymond would pester them for anything tri-related. They were always a constant presence in Reymond's tri-life.

Reymond was always so close to women in general. In the beginning of our marriage, I would get jealous of his closeness but later on, I realized that this was just how he was. He treated his girl friends exactly how he would treat his guy friends. He never saw the difference in gender! Haha! I don't have close guy friends and so I could never understand how he could have close girl friends. But he just did! These ladies are just a few of those that he had. 

To my right is Michelle. She is our teammate and was with us the whole day before Reymond passed away. She is a childhood friend and her hubby Bambi was Reymond's running idol. When she found out about Reymond, she was in disbelief. How could someone who appeared so strong the day before his race die? It was just so impossible for her. We were even trying to convince her to stay and watch us but she and Bambi had to go home to watch their son's game. She may not have been in Subic that day but she has been in constant touch with me since March 10. She is one of the few who I can count on to listen to my random everyday thoughts and not feel like I'm imposing. 

To my left is Tricia. Reymond got close to her and her hubby Guy around 2010. She is Reymond's text pal and phone pal. I swear, he calls Tricia more often than Guy! They love training together, exchanging tri tips and gossip (hehe), comparing nutrition notes or simply  hanging out during races and post-race parties. Despite our relatively new friendship, these two travelled to Hong Kong on a whim last September to spend what would be Reymond's last birthday with us. Such a fun, unforgettable adventure we had -- to be cherished forever! Tricia was at the finish line when she heard of Reymond's passing. I even remember vividly when I saw Guy at the Subic Hospital and how distraught he looked. Sad, sad day. I'm comfortedthough to still have her and Guy as friends even if their pal Reymond is no longer around. 

In white is Lara. Reymond met her the same time she met Tricia and Guy. They would be doing their first 70.3 together in Camsur that year and so they shared a lot of 'firsts' as triathletes. Reymond loved Lara's energy, positivity and all around happy vibe. She was the female version of Reymond! Always game, warm to all and was not afraid to make new friends. Lara was one of the first to reach out to me after he passed. We have been in constant touch since then. In fact, we have been in touch more often than usual nowadays because she is planning to write an article on Reymond. I am so very touched by this gesture. 

Last but not the least is Yvonne. The most taray of them all! Haha! When Reymond started getting close to her, I was not thrilled. I told Reymond, "she never smiles and she hardly talks to me." My gosh, we've come a long way since. Reymond was so dependent on Yvonne for everything. He needed to clear everything with her. Haha! I really cannot stop smiling when I think of how my perception of Yvonne has changed over the years. She is reserved, cautious and wary of strangers. She really chooses who she talks to and hangs out with. So you can just imagine my surprise at how two people with seemingly different personalities can get along so well. But they did! We loved hanging out with Yvonne and her hubby Glenn! We tried our best to convince them to race with us in Subic but it was not meant to be. Yvonne may not have been there with us that day but she has been with me (and looked out for me!)  since March 10. There is not a day that passes that she does not call, text, fb or instagram me.   I am so happy to call her a friend. 

So ain't I the lucky one? Reymond's Tri-Angels are now my dearest, most cherished Tri-Girlfriends. Even after Reymond left me, he made sure I would be surrounded with great friends. Lucky I tell you.