A Love Letter (Kind Of)

I’ve always loved surprises. Doesn’t it just feel so damned good when out of the blue, something good happens or you receive something for no occasion at all? It doesn’t have to be anything major, a love note perhaps, or a small token. Which is why it frustrates the hell out of me that Bob doesn’t know how to give surprises. He’s the impatient type kasi, and ika nga nila, medyo mababa ang EQ :) But in fairness to the guy, he tries. But it would go something like this: “Be may surprise ako sayo bukas!” I’m like, uh thanks Be pero hindi na yun surprise! Hehehe :)

It will be my birthday in a couple of days and the reason why we haven’t been posting anything here for the past few months is that we’ve both been very busy with our respective careers. Too busy in fact that we are not even halfway with our wedding preparations. Which freaks me to the max. Can you just imagine, the wedding will be in about 3 months and we still haven’t finalized our wedding invitations! So anyway, Bob and I went out yesterday to try to accomplish some things for our wedding. It was going to be our “wedding work day” and in part, an early date for my birthday since we (and by that I really mean, HE) have such hectic schedules and we don’t know if we would be able to even go out for dinner on my birthday itself.

It was a normal day, nothing out of the ordinary. We met for lunch and proceeded to a mananahi who was referred to us. I discussed my ideas with her for the attire of the entourage, unfortunately her quotation was a bit on the high side, so we’re still on the lookout for a more affordable modista (help!).

On we went to Megamall since I needed to buy some materials to finish the invites, and since we were already there, I suggested we both get haircuts because Bob’s was getting longish na. Afterwards I asked him if we could pass by the grocery coz I needed to buy some stuff and he obliged naman. I was taking my sweet time, and Bob was his usual sweet self carrying the grocery bags even with a bad backache. I asked him where he wanted us to have dinner but that I was craving for pizza. He said, “Be parang gusto ko kumain ng hipon.” Well I didn’t feel like going to Dampa (where we always go to eat shrimp) but he doesn’t usually have food cravings so I gave in. So off we went to Seaside in Ortigas.

We were there around past 7pm, maybe even close to 7:30pm and I told him, “Be wag na tayo mag-Sharmila (the resto in Dampa we frequent), hindi na sila nagbibigay sakin ng discount. Try tayo ng iba.” And Bob was like, “Sige, try natin yung isang resto dun sa gilid.” So we went to a place called Cha-Cha which was empty of diners but was a much better place than Sharmila. I was pointing out to Bob where we should seat when I heard someone sing “Happy Birthday”. Knowing there was no one else in the resto with us, I looked out to the diners outside wondering whose birthday it was and when I turned back to look at Bob, I saw JD (one of Bob’s best friends and our best man) carrying a cake with candles and our friends filing out from where they were hiding.

I couldn’t react, I was speechless. It took a while before everything sunk in and crybaby that I am, I broke into tears. It was amazing. Bob orchestrated everything and I had absolutely no clue! There was shrimp and oysters and pancit and liempo and stuffed squid and tuna belly and my favorite isaw (courtesy of our friend Rodel, thanks so much!) I barely ate a thing because of the shock but it was my best birthday ever and I owe it all to Bob.

What made that moment even more special was the effort Bob gave to make the night a success. You see, the past week was absolute hell for Bob work-wise. The advertising agency where Bob works as an Art Director was a bit understaffed so the workload was just too much. He worked throughout the weekend (including the Monday holiday, mind you) and had little to no sleep. He would spend the night at the office going home the next day na and I knew he was really stressed out and exhausted.

But last Friday, before going home after spending another night at the office, he took the time to do something this extraordinary for me. From Makati where he works, he drove all the way to Ortigas to reserve the resto and finalize the details for my surprise party. And yesterday before picking me up, he woke up extra early so he could buy me my favorite cake and hide it in the resto before he went to my place. All that time acting casually and nonchalant! The party was supposed to be at 6pm and everyone was there on time but I was busy grocery shopping! Can you imagine what Bob must’ve been feeling all that time? But he was soo cool! For someone who has low EQ, magaling na artista pala ang Bebe ko ha! :)

This entry is getting a bit long but my main purpose in writing this, aside from sharing with all of you one of the best moments in my life, is that I want to thank Bob for last night.

One of our friends was telling us that it was not advisable to get married when you are starting a career in advertising and are still trying to make a name for yourself. You would have to choose between your career or your partner in terms of time and effort. But I don’t believe that, and Bob also proved it untrue. All it takes is a lot of love, commitment and desire. Kung gusto, may paraan; kung ayaw, maraming dahilan. Which for our English speaking readers roughly translates to: you can and will always find a way to be able to do something you really want, but you can come up with a ton of excuses when it’s something you don’t wanna do. Bob is creative and talented and he’s on his way up, yet he doesn’t make me feel neglected or any less special or important than his career. I know that Bob will have a lot of success in his life and I will be by his side supporting him all the way.

I’m so lucky to have Bob in my life, and I want to shout it out to the whole world. Be, I want to thank you not only for what you did last night, but just for being you. I have no worries about my future because it will be spent with you, and we’ll spend it laughing and loving each other and filling it with wonderful memories and surprises. I love you.