Dear Ysa

Dear Ysa,
Your Nanay emailed me last week telling me how you have grown but you still only weighed in at 8 kilos, and she was worried that you needed to eat more. I told your Nanay that your Ninangs and Ninongs will be visiting soon. It’s too bad your ninongs and ninangs only get to see you only once or twice a year, as we are at one time or another stationed in another country. We never seem to get hold of each other, and when we are gathered together, it is enough reason to celebrate. So like your fairy godmothers and godfathers, we came last week to your house, bringing gifts and lots of love. We were disarmed by your charming smile. You were as precocious as any one year old baby, playing peek-a-boo and smiling while Ninang Consuelo read with Ate Yobel and Ninong Sony (oh how your Nanay missed Ninong Sony) and Ninong Robert looked on.

It seemed only yesterday when your Nanay married your Tatay. We were all there too. In fact I was there when your Nanay first went out on a date with your Tatay. Not exactly there, but we met her up before her date with your Tatay. We were at Wendy’s, we ordered fries and fudge sundae, held our hands and prayed before eating, after which two men asked us what our religion was (just because we prayed before eating). Then Nanay’s eyes were sparkling, shimmering and splendid while she talked about meeting her date. They knew each other in college, they were both in CYA, but your Nanay was hooked up with somebody else all through college. In fact, we thought your Nanay would end up with him, but God had other plans. After leaving Nagano in 1996, your Nanay, who usually weighed less than 90 lbs, gained weight and had ample red cheeks when we landed at NAIA. She lost this weight sooner than expected and before we knew it, God has led her to a new path. A wonderful, joyful path that brought you and Ate Yobel into this world.

Look at your Nanay, she was so beautiful as she walked down the aisle. You could see she had fullness of joy in her heart. In fact, your Nanay was singing her heart out to the Lord during the marriage rite.
But who would not? She had a fairy tale then, and when we met her 6, almost 7 years after that wedding, she is still living a fairy tale. When you are old enough to speak, ask Nanay to tell you her story, it is the best fairy tale you’ll ever hear, and the best part is, it’s all true. She is as in love, more in love with your Tatay than before. Your Tatay is more gwapo than ever for your Nanay for he has continuously led a life following God's will. With the Lord at the center of their marriage, and their lives, there is, indeed a happily ever after.