I am writing this one down because it is Valentine's Day tomorrow. Currently, I am scrolling my February photos since 2017, and one significant discovery I found out is that I have never dated someone special for the past 6 years. I guess, I have been very comfortable with my self that being in a relationship is no longer a priority for me.
Well, I don't want to appear melodramatic because the truth is, I am happy of being alone. I am happy with my independence that no matter how much pressure my siblings (my older brothers) impose on me about getting married, I am still unaffected.
Love is more than a Feeling
Everytime I am asked with a question about love's definition, I always answer it this way: "It is the greatest achievement of mankind." For love's definition is subjective for each individual. For some, people define love as a commitment to forever while others define love as the elated or gratified feeling for someone. For a family, love is raising each other like how parents raise their children or how couple support each other. As long as there is that mutual feeling of respect and understanding - as values summed up then that is love. Love is pure and expresses happiness. Love never hurts - disappointments and frustrations do.
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| "Love is fortified with years together; just as this lovebirds, my brother and his girlfriend of 5 years" |
Types of Love Manifested in a Road Trip
It was one Sunday morning when I appreciated the different kinds of love. The love of a daughter to her mother and vice-versa. A love expressed through more than a decade of friendship, and even a romantic form of love. These manifestations of love were all too clear when we were heading our way to Medellin.
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| "It was Tita Neneng's idea to visit Medellin Bamboo Forest for a short 'laag' together." |
Three days before our road trip, my bestfriend's mom asked me if we could visit a certain bamboo forest in Medellin. That moment, I knew I had to take the chance since it was my only available date (I would get busy since I am a COVID-19 frontliner). Although the road trip took more hours than we expected (our personal vehicle had some problems, unfortunately), we finally managed to visit this "Japan-feels" area of the north.
The Poses with our Kimono
As much as I wanted to have some photos of me, I somewhat felt uncomfortable at the camera. Honestly, gaining excess kilos in my once-thin frame had all my insecurities pouring. Maybe, I am not used to being called "fat" these days, and people commenting how "chubby" or "fat" I look now all the more made me feel ugly. But my best friend had a way to console me during our photo op. She uplifted that feeling of disappointment and shame. She was more than willing to take a photo of me and with me regardless my childish comments.
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| "Didn't take convincing with this pose as we were talking about One Piece here..." |
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| "Apol and I with our kimono and all smiles." |
It was also unexpected that my younger brother and I had a photo together. It was one of the fewest occasions when we didn't feel awkward at the camera. Admittedly enough, our closeness is defined by video games, Pokemon Go, and food (he cooks and I eat) but we only had few photos together.
Medellin Bamboo Forest is an Inspiration
One thing that I realized during our trip to Medellin is to appreciate what I have, and to keep those who treasured me. Gone were the days where I begged for attention and love from people whom I thought cared for me and loved me. I wouldn't deny that I cried for what was once love but I have changed and see a different perspective of what love is.
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| "The cast at the Medellin Bamboo Forest." |
Love is that moment when you value yourself. There is nothing wrong with self love. You can not completely give love when you do not know your worth. I know that every individual is precious, and more than any diamonds ever combined. We are self-nurturing and we radiate this to others. Love is complementing. Love is giving. Love is love.
P.S: A friend of mine sent me a message about her relationship complaining about her partner's free time. I couldn't advise more but told her that she just need to be honest about her expectations and feelings towards her fiancé. Telling someone "I miss you" isn't that difficult even if you are a female. Let us break that thinking - love is never labelled as "male first" and "female should wait". Love knows no gender. Love is never biased.
Hello, Angel, you have a good heart. I can tell from reading your blogs. You shouldn't be insecure about the way you look. Your character/ personality is attractive enough. I used to have friends which our society would call handsome. But they were vain. And with the added advantage of having a good brain and money, it consumed their personality leaving an empty shell. Good looks are over rated, Angel. Focus more on developing your personality and helping more people. That way you will gain more happines.
ReplyDeleteI couldn't agree more about self-love. Also, sometimes when we feel too convenient of being single, we feel so fulfilled that finding a significant other is the last thing we want to do. But yeah, no pressure as life is full of surprises. Some great things happen when we least expect them. Happy Valentine's!
ReplyDeleteWow! Lingawa uy. I can imagine Kenshin Himura, fighting in the Medellin Bamboo Forest.
ReplyDeleteLove should be like a bamboo....
You know, Anj, I imagine myself listening to you in person. And I can't help but nod the whole time. Love simply is and it manifests in so many forms, some we don't even have labels for. I am happy to know that you have found the love you deserve - within you. By the way, you look kawaii in that kimono. <3 Belated Happy Valentine's Day! Love, Armie
ReplyDeleteHello Maam Anj, I came from the northern part of Cebu and I wasn't able to visit Bambio Forest up until now. Thanks for sharing your experiences at Medellin Bamboo Forest and can't wait to dressup like Japanese ☺️
ReplyDelete