Rhythm (24 page)

For Mommy and Daddy, they consider what
happened before as a blessing because now, they are counseling
couples who are experiencing struggles in their own marriages. They
can testify because they have the experience that those couples can
learn from. Of course, there are different levels of battle every
couple undergoes, but basically, they’ve been there, done that. And
what better teacher we can have? The experiences and mistakes of
others.

Today marks the 25th year wedding anniversary
of the greatest couple I’ve ever met—Mr. and Mrs. Grant
Peterson.

“We are gathered today to witness the
celebration of the renewal of vows of Mr. and Mrs. Grant Peterson .
. .”

What the pastor is saying is great, yes, but
I can’t wait for the part when Mommy and Daddy will tell each other
their vows. I think it will be cool and sweet to remind your other
half of your promises after 25 years of being married with each
other.

After a few squirms—from me—here and there,
it’s time.

“Hey, love,” Mommy starts. We all giggle
because who starts a vow with a ‘hey’? Only her. “My vow before
still stand true, and I have added more.” She smirks. “I vow to be
your everything. To thank you every single time you say or do
something to and for me. To appreciate you. To speak your love
languages every single chance I get. To affirm you. To serve you.
To fill your love tank. To submit to you. To be your best friend.
To support you. To be faithful to you. To never give up on you. To
never ever give up on you. To always listen to you. To communicate
with you. To love you unconditionally. To decide every day, over
and over and over and over again, that it’s you that I will always
love, no matter what. To decide every day, over and over and over
and over again, that I will always love you, in spite and despite
of what season we’re in. To be the best wife I can ever be. To be
the best mom to our kids. To love not only you, but all our
kids—Alexa, Will, Belle, Brian.” Everyone gasps at the mention of
my name, including me. “To understand you. To put you first before
our kids. I’ve explained this to you guys, right?” she asks us, her
children. We nod, laughing, as we wipe our tear-streaked faces. “To
put our family first before anything or anyone else, after God. And
last but not the least, to always surrender, offer, lift and
entrust our marriage, our family to our Lord—who will never fail
us.”

Not one attendee escapes the mandatory cry.
Well, it’s actually not mandatory, but hearing Mommy’s vow? It’s
like you’re a stone if you don’t cry or at least feel something
strong.

Jeez. My heartbeat’s racing faster as I wait
for Daddy’s turn.

“Hey, Rip.” We laugh again. “My vow is kind
of a love letter. Well, not kind of. It is a love letter.” He
chuckles. “Okay, here goes. To my beloved Rip, I know what I’ve
said before, but allow me to say these words again. I am very sorry
for what I did to you. Not only about Lola but also about
everything. Even the simple ones like forgetting to lift the toilet
lid, or pressing the tube of toothpaste in the middle, or the times
that I wasn’t able to give your feet a massage when you were very
tired because I myself was also tired, or the times that I watch a
game and forget that I’m a father, or those moments when I forget
to call that I’m coming home late, or when I am being insensitive
in saying that you’ve gained weight and not clarify that the gained
weight looks good on you, or the times we have a tickle battle and
you say you surrender, but I don’t budge and just level up my
battle, and you end up coughing and grasping for breath . . . I
could go on and on because I keep on doing things that hurt you
physically, mentally, or emotionally. Also, I want to thank you
because you always say that I’m human, capable of making mistakes,
that’s why you understand me. Thank you for accepting me even with
all the things I did that caused you pain. Thank you for loving our
kids . . . especially Belle. You’ve shown what a true unconditional
love really means by accepting Belle in our family, by becoming her
mommy not only by label but also with all of your heart, body,
soul, and mind. Thank you, Rip, for loving me. I feel incredibly
blessed to be married with a woman like you. I thank God so much
for your life. You’ve been an instrument God has been using
mightily for His glory. And through you, many people have been
blessed tremendously, especially us, your family. Rip, thank you
for allowing me to be myself and learn from my mistakes. Thank you
for not judging me for my actions even if it is worth judging for.
I want to say more, but they will get bored.” Everyone cackles.
“We’re a team, Rip. We’ll always have each other. Together,
forever,” he says and gives a smile reserved only for Mommy. “I
love you to the ends of eternity—if it ever ends—and back and back
again and again.”

Wow. Can I just say it again? Wow. I told you
they are the greatest couple. I’m not biased, you know.

Honestly, they do set a high standard for the
four of us—Alexa, Will, Brian, and me—in finding our own Grant or
Rhythm. That’s why I’m already nineteen, but I still don’t have a
boyfriend. Will and Alexa? Nil. Brian? He’s still considered as our
baby so, zilch. But we don’t fret for we know that we’ll meet them.
Soon? Maybe, maybe not—but definitely, in His perfect time.

I am grateful to my Father, my Creator, my Lord, my
Savior, my Guide, and my Mentor for using me as an instrument to
share His message about one of His most valued ministry—family.

I am grateful for Jimson (Bee), an instrument used
by God to make my writing and editing journey easier with his gift.
God has blessed you tremendously and in return, you are generous
enough to give back through blessing others in your own ways.

I am grateful for Rei, who shares not just the same
birthday with me, but also the passion in reading and writing. You
have been a great blessing in my writing and self-publishing
journey. Your determination is contagious.

I am grateful for Isa, who believes in me. It’s time
that you believe in yourself. May God guide you as you find your
calling, your purpose. Every time people say you can’t, think that
maybe you can’t, but HE always can.

I am grateful for Colleen Hoover for inspiring me to
decide what to be and go be it
. You are like my comfort food
that I indulge myself with every time I feel morose. Your blog and
books have been a blessing to me.

I am grateful for my family—Papa, Mama, Kuya, Ate,
Enie, Ethan, Pau, Nanay—you are all a blessing to me. I couldn’t
ask for a different family—you are all perfect in your own
imperfect ways.

I am grateful to you, reader, for letting these
written words—used an instrument by God—enter and hopefully remain
not only in your mind but also in your heart.

I am grateful for the time I have been given to
write this book.

I am grateful for the hands God has given me so that
I can type these words.

I am grateful for the eyes He has given me to see
the details I need to correct or improve.

I am grateful for all the resources God has provided
me to complete this book.

I am grateful for what I’ve been called: To write
for God’s glory.

I am grateful for the life God has given me to
fulfill His purpose through me.

I am grateful to God beyond words that the
twenty-six alphabets could ever form.

authorena.com

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