Today's theme is "We're In Love" and I would be very happy to share our love story. I believe these moments are the sweetest. The moment when everyday of being together seems very precious and each wishes for the day not to end. And until now, I can still feel how in love I was with the man I wished and prayed to be with me for the rest of my life.

I didn't say yes to him which made us a couple. It was just so quick that right after I told him my break-up, he held my hands tight as we walk along Roxas Ave. and as we search for a place to have dinner, he rested his head on my shoulder and told me, "wag ka ng magdiet, kase hindi malambot pag nakahiga ako sa balikat mo". (That's the reason why until now, I'm having a hard time controlling my food intake...LOL)

We rarely spend times together for about two months because he was very busy then and I was staying at the dorm so curfew was really strict. Then maybe he can't stand it anymore and asked me to get an apartment. I thought one of my dorm mates was joining me so I told my mom and aunt and insisted that it's gonna be good for me as I'll have much time concentrating with my studies. And they agreed. Hurray!!! LOL

Come December 2003, I moved in and my dorm mate backed out. weeew!!! A great sigh of relief for Mark, I'm sure. ;) Since then, we lived together. My parents learned about it when we already have Alyssa. (we're good!!!) Mark was about to graduate by March 2004 and will be taking the board October of the same year, so he was busy reviewing and doing all the officer stuffs. His aunt and the whole household thought he was staying overnight with his classmates because that was what he told them. And he will come to my place with two shirts, undies and pants on just not to be caught. Until most of his clothes are already in my wardrobe. =)

Then knowing him as the "SURPRISE MAN", he never failed to surprise me even though we were already living together. Come Feb, we were so excited to celebrate our 1st Valentines Day together when we were told that our school retreat will fall on Feb. 14. What D?!? During the retreat, an envelope was being distributed to each student with surprises inside. We have no idea that enclosed are our parent's letters to us and that made us all cried. In each envelope, there's Mark's common letter to each student (being the org's pressident) wishing us all luck and God's guidance as we have our retreat. Right after I emoted on my parent's letters, I built an anger on him. I told myself, "How could he? Not even any sweet note from him? And it's Valentines Day???" Then as the lights opened, a brother called my name while handling a huge white envelope and he handed it to me. To my surprise, It was a card from my dear boyfriend! GOSH!!! Then everyone cheered up for me. (shyness) I opened it, and saw a huge card filled with his hand writing. You will not believe it, but he wrote his message clockwise with the smallest handwriting from the edge of the card until he reaches the middle. Goodness!!! It was difficult, I can imagine. Then, with the card was a CD of Jim Brickman. Right there and then, I just knew that our theme song is DESTINY. He mentioned it a lot of times on his message then a CD with the song Destiny? That must be it, I said. And until now, I'm holding on to that word.

His surprise didn't end there. When I reached the apartment, It was dark, only a candle and a cake and HIM. A day to celebrate Valentines after the Valentines Day. And he asked me to close my eyes, and another gift came out, it was a very nice bag. Holy cow!!! Am I dreaming??? LOL

Then that incident continued. Every month was special. Too many to mention, really. We both think of a surprise every month to celebrate our Monthsary. And no special occasion passed without me having a Red Ribbon Cake from him and that continues until now (though not Red Ribbon at all). I bought a huge box and every chocolate wrapper he gives, I put it there. I keep every cake board from him and all the letters were there. Can't wait to show that box to Alyssa and the future kids.

We were just so in love that everyday means so much to us. I hurt him a lot during those times when I still meet up with my ex. He knew about it, I don't know how, but he just knew if I was doing something wrong then. He confronted me every time and I all I did was denied. He never asked for a break-up. All he said was "I'll never leave you and I'll always love you." And I asked myself, and is asking until now, "What did I ever do to be loved like this?" I am just so blessed.

We lived in for a year and January 2005 came, I discovered I was carrying Alyssa. Then the continuation is on next Wednesday. LOL. See you then!

 

Yes indeed! The very first tree - we bought for our family. We have a very small house way back in the Philippines and that our budget is just enough for our daily needs so we decided not to buy Christmas tree on the 1st two Christmases (2005-2006), then hubby left the country and we celebrated Christmas 2007 apart and we were ready to stay with him in London after six months so we thought buying one isn't practical at all as we'll be leaving it behind after.

Last year, we were living with friends and they have a tree so we just helped in buying some decorations. But this time, we moved in to a new house and only leaving as a family, with extra budget and we're all together so we thought this is the right time to buy one.

Alyssa's just so excited with it as much as hubby and I do.

We've been wanting to buy this tree since September, but the store just made it available last week (17 October) and we put it up right after it reaches our home. We don't decorate for Halloween and as Pinoys, we welcome Christmas when "ber" month starts.

We just realized after that the tree was too big for our house. LOL

Alyssa was goofing beside the tree and she said, "We've got a very lovely tree!'

The finished product. ;)

 

My gosh! I can't believe I almost miss this week's meme. I CAN'T!!! I JUST CAN'T!!! This is one thrilling moment we had and this one's really unforgettable. Please join us too and share your love stories at Rodliz's Nest.

This time, I'll copy-paste hubby's story telling about the day he laid his eyes on me. He posted this on my friendster account as a comment. Weeeee!!! Can't help it, I'm getting so kilig.. again!

01/1/2004 2:51 pm
There are many things to describe this very lovely lady, but what I like best on AC is that she's not only sweet, cute, graceful, charming and sexy, but she's a smart and responsible person. You could always count on this girl. And whatever she does, she always gives her best shot. She is a soft-spoken girl with a very wide understanding. This girl has earned the admiration of a lot of people, including me (I was no exception). With her lovely looks, no man could ever afford not to turn his face on her. I remember the first time I saw this girl. I was then looking for a representative for Miss San Beda (Integration'03). And I went to Class 1-AAC to look for one. And I saw her in the classroom. I immediately notified my first year batch representatives and ask them if they could convince her to be the Department's representative. Unfortunately, she declined. I would admit that I was attracted on her from the very beginning. But I did not show it in the campus. I kept it all to myself with a hope that our paths would cross someday. Days and weeks passed. We did not have any occasion where we had even a simple conversation. I was busy then and she was busy too. Until came the last week of September. I texted her if she could be JPIA's face of the month (October). Gladly, she agreed to be one. We went out for a lunch... and a dinner... and a dinner again... and another dinner... and the rest is history... Thank God I found this woman. She's incredibly beautiful and is very sweet. Everyday I love her all the more. She is the source of my inspiration, and she brings out the best in me. She makes me smile even when I am in despair. She has captured my heart. Just I have told her over and over again, I promise to love her with all my heart and with all my life. I would always be her man and I swear to God to love and protect her now and always. If there is one thing now that I have asked from God, aside from graduating on March 2004 and be a CPA, it is that He allows us to be together for the rest of our lives...

Baby, I love you so much po and promise, I will love you until the end. I will always be here for you no matter what happens. I will never leave you. BABY, YO TE AMO CON TODO MI CORAZON... 

AWWW!!! a big AWWW!!!!!!!!!! LOL

Now, here's my version:

02/1/2004 1:02 pm
SEPT.26,2003;11:00pm I received a message from an unexpected person. He was my organization's president, Mr. Mark Lim Saldua, asking for a picture to be used for the next Face of the Month. My dormmates asked me to agree and i did.. (though I'm not really aware who he really is)

SEPT.27,2003;8:00pm My dormmate accompanied me to the studio for the said pic.

SEPT.28-30 I never passed a day without any text receiving from the JPIA president.

OCT.1,2003 Mr. Saldua, whom i used to call "Kuya Mark", asked me for a lunch having the reason of interviewing me for the write-up he's going to post for the "Face of the Month" thing.

OCT.2,2003;11:00am We met in school and went out for lunch with my dormmate with me and with his about 10 officers with him. ;)

OCT.4,2003 While he was in Antipolo for a meeting, he called me up and ask me if he can fetch me after the affair in Jade Valley and to take me for dinner. I accepted his offer. (and really prepared for it! LOL.. I spent the whole afternoon fixing myself)

OCT.5,2003 Right after the affair, I saw him standing somewhere, where no one could see him..(for some reasons...we both know - he's the president of the org and I know he has to focus on the org...then)  and I was dead cold all over! It was the 1st time I'll ever talk to him in person..alone. We went to Starbucks-Intramuros and there, we had the chance to know each other more.He took me home before my curfew...we went out for another dinner..and another dinner..and another dinner..and the rest is history.
OCT. 11,2003 - WE WERE ON! Fast??? NO! VERRRYYY FAAAASSSTTT!!!

OH MY!!! I'm always happy to share the story about how we found each other. And I'll tell this story to our Alyssa and the future kids until I get tired of doing so (which I don't think will ever happen).

This picture was taken while we have our lunch at KFC Mendiola (where he also brought me and our friends for the write-up for JPIA's Face of the Month thingy)

By the way, I have a boyfriend then - for 4 long years and Mark knows about it. But still, he makes his way just to have me. So I broke up with my bf and 3 days after, we became couple. LOL! 

My second time in Mommy Moments and I really love doing it. You can join us too. Just click the Mommy Moments Badge.

Huge malls are not common in London and we were only able to visit 2 so far, one is called Bluewater Leisure and Shopping Centre and the other one is the Westfield London Shopping Centre.

It was my birthday last year when we experienced the best day ever and it was in Bluewater. So much FUN indeed!

Alyssa had the first face painting experience that day and it was FREE!

 TADAH!!! Isn't it nice? My litte blue butterfly.

And of course, the stage mum in me can't be set aside.

And for our last hurrah for summer this year, off we go to Westfield, a new-built huge shopping center.

We passed by the NEXT shop and saw this lovely coat, but knowing me, I won't buy it at it's actual price. So I said, "Alright, that's enough. Let's wait for it to go on sale." LOL

It was also lovely outside the mall. Refreshing.

Going out is indeed uncommon for our famiy, but the few makes it really special. And a day the the mall was something we enjoyed together as a family.

I just started my blog a few weeks ago and I was so happy that I found a very nice community in this blogging life. It's my second meme (first was Mommy Moments) and I just love doing them. Thanks Mommy Liz for this and now I have something to look forward to every Wednesday. Come and join us too.

I'm May Ann Cherie "AC" Agbayani-Saldua. The eldest in my family, eldest daughter, eldest cousin, eldest niece and eldest grandchild. I am an illegitimate child (as how they call a child with unwed parents, then), but most loved by everyone. I'm a certified Lola's girl, Auntie's girl, Uncle's girl, and Papa's girl. My parents separated just before I entered grade 1, but that didn't hinder me from growing up as a good girl and that I owe to all the parents who stand by me up to this very moment and I know will always be there for the rest of my life. My grandmother, dad, uncles and aunts did a great job in raising me up. I don't have a good relationship with my biological mum since 2002 (if I remembered it right) and with her relatives because of some serious family problems. However, I believe that instance contributed in my being a good mother and wife at present. Both mum and dad were from Pangil, Laguna and I grew up and spent most of my childhood there.

Enough with the seriousness.. LOL Now, let me tell you something about who I am. I'm a person who is very weak in decision making. I am always in need of other's assurance on almost anything and that hasn't changed until now. I simply don't believe in my own taste. I am a very simple woman who rarely buys anything for myself. Most of what I use are from my aunts and I'm loving them to pieces! LOL I am a woman who lives with 3 pairs of shoes - rubber, peep-toed and boots for winter, wears year-old clothes (the oldest I'm still wearing is a shorts I had when I was grade 4 - woooaaah!!! it's that old, right?) and feels guilty even of thinking of buying anything for myself. I don't complain though, it's just that I'm satisfied with what I already have. I am what they call "kuripot to the bones" ;) My family said I am now able to live simply because I already had everything I wanted when I was young and that I was brought up to just live with what I have. Hubby must be really thankful for that! ;)

Now, let's jump to my husband's life. I am married to a man named Mark Saldua. He's also the eldest among 6 siblings. If I am a favorite in the family, he's no different. He's well loved mostly by all. He's a Masbateno and very proud of it. He was a seminarian back in high school and a really great achiever (wish Alyssa gets that trait). He excels in his studies and continues to excel in his chosen career. He always gives 101% in anything he does. A natural-boned leader then and a magnificent head of the family now. He is the laziest man I know, but still manages to complete all his tasks - I wonder really how he can do that LOL. I am but just one fan and supporter of this brilliant man. He never shouts and never mad. He cries and that for me makes him a real man. He just loves me just the way I wanted to be loved. And I love bragging anything about him 'cause he's worth bragging about. He's the man I chose to spend the rest of my life with and I thank God for giving him to me.

That's us.