Two Valentine’s Day from the two most important guys in my life (next to my dad) strike me as the most memorable. The first one is my first Valentine’s day with Butch, my ex-boyfriend. The second is the last Valentine’s Day Card that my son lovingly crafted for me.
Leafing through the yellowed pages of my diary, I found a journal entry written on February 14, 1979. The wonderful thing about keeping a journal is one is able to relive those youthful years and feel giddy all over again. Oh my, were we that cheesy!? Looking back that day, I wrote down I saw him through the window carrying a single red rose and a gift. Clutching the red rose, Butch chuckled at the scene unfolding before him. Just like the movies, he muttered. Three pages of sweet nothings where the sappy Butch declared his undying love and our dreams fill my paper journal. In the last part of my journal entry, he had whisperd “Let’s make Valentine’s day the whole year through”. kilig. Today is our 30th Valentine’s Day celebration. Though our love endured, it was not all roses and sweet nothings.
The childlike scribble of the I love you that my son wrote in his hand-made Valentine’s day card never fails to bring tears. Tears of joy, of course. Reading through the same journal entry of February 14, 1979, Butch and I wove dreams of our first born son who we called Jose Luis back then. (Jose because both our fathers are Jose’s and Luis for Butch’s real name.) Many years later, the dream of our Jose Luis materialized whom we nicknamed Luijoe, for short. The reality lasted for six glorious years. I touch the crayon drawn heart in this card to remind myself that death may have taken our son away but his love and memories remain alive and pure in our hearts.
Tonight, as restaurants fill to the brim with loving couples, I will celebrate dinner at home with my family members and fill it with love and gratitude. Let’s remember what love truly is…
Love is patient. Love is kind. Love isn’t jealous. It doesn’t sing its own praises. It isn’t arrogant. It isn’t rude. It doesn’t think about itself. It isn’t irritable. It doesn’t keep track of wrongs. It isn’t happy when injustice is done, but it is happy with the truth. Love never stops being patient, never stops believing, never stops hoping, never gives up.
Love never comes to an end
<< 1 Corinthians 13 >>
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February 14th, 2008 at 3:40 pm
Happy Valentine’s Day to you and your family, Noemi! Good to see that you have been able to keep your journals from the BB (before blogs) era. Nice to have finally met you personally at the Happy Slip Meet & Greet.
February 14th, 2008 at 3:47 pm
@angel- Thanks for the greetings, Angel. those paper journals do come in handy after many years. It’s good to reminisce. Nice meeting you too. Happy valentine’s day.
February 14th, 2008 at 6:50 pm
happy red day!
February 14th, 2008 at 8:52 pm
masyadong espesyal ang mga sulat na binigay ng anak mo sayo.
nakakatuwa at hanggang ngayon, pinapaligay ka pa rin niya in many ways,
February 14th, 2008 at 11:23 pm
those cards are really priceless, because they are made with love, I just could imagine the joy that it brings you.
I also treasure cards crafted by my ishi, i’ll be waiting for a card from my li’l boy icko soon.
Happy heart’s day, stay happy and continue to inspire others
February 14th, 2008 at 11:44 pm
This made me cry. I feel the same way with regards to my mom and my brother who died 2 and 9 years ago, respectively.
Happy Valentine’s Day!
February 15th, 2008 at 4:15 am
Happy Valentine’s Day to you and your family, Noemi.
Spread the love!
February 15th, 2008 at 10:43 am
happy hearts day!
February 15th, 2008 at 10:53 am
ohh…i wish i have a mom like you.
February 15th, 2008 at 10:57 am
Hope you had a Happy Valentine’s Day with Butch and the girls Noemi. Was touched by the sight of Luijoe’s scribbles. I also treasure those hand-made cards my kids give me, even if they are requirements in school:)
February 15th, 2008 at 11:42 am
Hi Noemi!
Happy heart’s day! I also received yesterday a valentine card from my first born son, Derick with a tight hug and kisses. Saying that I am the best mom!. Valentines is always a special day for us. It is my birthday and also Derick’s birthday (what a coincidence!).
Deb
February 15th, 2008 at 4:14 pm
Hi Noemi, Happy Hearts Day, belated. This is a wonderful post. I like the card that Luijoe made for you and hubby. Such a sweet boy. I bet he’s happy seeing you with his card. And your love story is really nakakakilig. Good thing you still have your diaries with you….
February 16th, 2008 at 7:36 am
Hi Tita Noemi!
Happy hearts’ day! 
This post made me cry. Thanks for always inspiring me and the others to be always close and love everyone 
February 16th, 2008 at 12:06 pm
[...] Meanwhile, I was really touched by Noemi with her post on always a valentines day. [...]
February 16th, 2008 at 9:28 pm
@lad madrigal- remembering my son always brings bittersweet memories
@cielo- i treasure all the things created by my children. I kept them in a treasure box of memories.
@she- the tears are a sign that we loved deeply.
@ajay- yes I keep all the kids’ drawings through the years. They are precious
@deb- what a special day it must have been
@rowena- i read the diary entry to my husband and we were both laughing at ourselves
@dyanie- thanks
I also teared while writing this entry. Love just never dies. Love never comes to an end.
February 17th, 2008 at 3:51 am
I am always touched when people share the difficult times in their lives. I believe it does help us and others to cope with difficulties we all face a different times in our lives. I’ve not been brave enough to share mine in a blog - maybe oneday. Thanks for sharing your journey so sensitively and encouragingly.
February 17th, 2008 at 4:55 am
Belated Happy Love Day.
That was… a beautiful, touching entry. You truly bring beauty and inspiration to all of us. Thank you.
February 17th, 2008 at 6:53 am
what a precious memory
February 17th, 2008 at 12:00 pm
It must be one of your precious possessions, that long ago card from your son. I see it being kept in a treasured place in your home .. but more so in the sanctum sanctorum of your heart.
See ya soon.
February 17th, 2008 at 11:46 pm
Thanks for the visit sis.
Oh sis…browsing through your blogs’ pages takes me to a place that is so foreign. You are one amazing lady! I praise God for allowing you to process everything like you do. I looked through the pages when you were with your son last and I can’t help but cry. I don’t know what to say. May God’s grace abound in you even as you minister to other people who are in the same circumstance.
God bless you more sis and belated happy V day!
February 17th, 2008 at 11:49 pm
Have a tag for you sis, I hope to know you more.
http://aspacio.blogspot.com/2008/02/gtky-tag.html
February 19th, 2008 at 12:36 pm
Seeing your son’s Valentine card made me teary-eyed… I remember giving my parents weird card drawings before, and I thought it didn’t really mean anything. Now I know that it does, esp. if it’s the last. God bless!