To my sweetest home girl,
We met when we were still so innocent and naïve from the
cruel reality of the world, still enveloped with our own colorful bubbles. You
were the first one to call me “Joan”
in my entire school life, and I’d like to believe that was the moment I fell in
love with your personality. No matter how many friends I have mastered to gain
throughout the years, I’d still find my way back into your warming comfort and
accepting words, your deep but yet so overflowing nature. You know me like the
back of your hand, and I am immensely grateful for the time and effort you have
always blessed me with.
You were always present in my life, from my highest peak
and lowest downfall. You were there as if you’re all ready to clap for my
victories or even catch my soul when it gets too heavy for me. I don’t have to
filter my words and hide myself from you because you’d still see through me.
You’ve taught me how love can be expressed in multiple ways and how it is not
limited to what the society had constructed it for the many. I guess, this is
what those wedding vows with lines “loving is easy” for because it is so easy
to love you. I don’t have to think of any grandeur gifts and trips or even keep
up with how you live your life. I just blend with you easily and smoothly like
it is meant to happen from the very beginning of our friendship.
How many times have you seen me laugh like
there’s no tomorrow? How many times have I cried my heart out to you? How many
times have I gone so crazy through life with you? Crazy how, for sure, I’ve
lost count for these moments and now I am celebrating your 21st year
on earth.
In
21 years, I’ve witnessed:
1.
How you proved to our 3rd
grade teacher that you can be a good example to your sisters.
You are always like that, I’ve witnessed how people would perceive you
differently and no matter how much I’d like to correct them but I just let it
pass for I know I’m just blessed enough to have known you this much.
2.
How you learned to mingle with new
people and find beautiful friendship with them.
It is so refreshing to see you happy and laughing with other people. You always
have this easy going personality that drives people to you. You accept us for
who and what we are, no matter what. You vibe with us, you jive with us.
3.
How you braved yourself to join a
beauty pageant back in high school. You totally surprised us
with that one, and know that we don’t mind getting surprised with your growth
and courage.
4.
How you get lost and still find your
destination. Literally, it happened to the both of us
a lot of times. And we will always be grateful for those times because those
learning experiences were etched in our memories. Figuratively, you were thrown
into paths that were nowhere in your comfort zone yet you have learned to love
the journey.
5.
How you committed yourself and your
life to God. You are a good reminder of how God shows
his grace and mercy in life, people look up to your faith in Him.
6.
How you thrive for your progress.
You, of all people, have the most efficient discipline and dedication. If you
want something, you get it done simply and silently. I know it was not easy to
get to where you are now, but I just I want to say that I am so proud of you.
7.
How well versed you are in expressing
your thoughts and delivering your insights.
Your words will forever hold a dear value I the lives of the people you’ve
touched. I am a fan of your writing and choice of books, I guess your wisdom
reflects all of your interest and investments with it.
8.
How dedicated you are to the people
you love and things you adore. From real life people to
fictional characters, and kstans who made you fall head over heels. It is just
so fascinating to see you get so hooked and pressed with these, you deserve to
enjoy life and its people.
9.
How cheery and self-loving you are.
You always give yourself time to grow and say yes to opportunities, you never
rush things and just go accordingly to what your heart tells you to. Just
continually growing at your own pace.
10. How
you balance your person and social life. Thank you for
always trying your best to hang out with people even if its way past time your
own life schedule. It just means that you hold people dear in your life.
11. How
thoughtful you are. You never forget to look beyond and
extend your effort to the people who matter to you. We are so pampered with
your love and friendship. You give your time for us as if it is something you
can just bear and bring back to. Time is the most precious gift that you hold
in life yet you never hesitate to spend it with and for us.
12. How
you worked hard for the things that you have. From
the first time you had your first job at a BPO company to having sidetrack jobs
that enabled you to provide for your own joys in life. Instead of asking, you
worked for it. And not just that, your faith, inner peace, happiness, and contentment.
I know it was a not a smooth road to take to have everything built for
yourself.
13. How
simple you choose to live life. You were never the type
of person who invest on expensive things and fun times, you were more the simple
and chill girl. It is fine by you to just stay home, do your own things, go out
occasionally, and that’s it.
14. How
disciplined you are. Oh my gosh, believe it or not you
are on the top of my list. It’s still so amazing to me how you managed to live
a low-key life by not dwelling too much on social media (and everything in the
virtual world).
15. How
you step up your aesthetic game. If there’s one thing I
have not said so often to you, I think it’s this. Just seeing your photos (and
outfits) and watching your vlogs, I know you have a niche for these. You
capture moments so candidly; you present yourself timelessly.
16. How
selfless and nurturing you are to the people around you. Most
of the time, after every call, I could just thank the Lord for sharing you—a beautiful
gift to me. You are always willing to give your time up for people, you take
time to understand every word that they speak and then you assess and give your
own insight. It means so much, and it helps a lot.
17. How
you are always low-key with your progress.
You were always quiet with your wins; you were never the one who would post it
or share it to us. Just know that we acknowledge and appreciate your hard work
and effort. And for that, you deserve it. I am proud of you.
18. How
overflowing is your sense of empathy. You always know
the right words to say, and when it comes from you? It feels like you understand
us better than anyone else. It is such a powerful ability how you can see
through our eyes and feel our heart like you have owned our struggles and pain.
19. How
brilliant you are. People would be so amaze if they
ever get to see who and what you are in my perspective. You are one of the
purest gems that I have known for years and years, and your value just adds up
every time. You bloom, you prosper, and you continually sparkle. I will always
believe in your capacity to do and achieve greater things. And as long as I
live, I would really try my best to protect you.
20. How
you envision life and how you hustle for it.
If imagination is the limit, you already know that you are a pro with it. What
sets you aside is that you continually work for it, you just don’t give up
easily. You know what you want and you work hard for it.
21. How
open you are to opportunities and possibilities.
I believe that this is the main ingredient of your growth throughout the years,
you grabbed the right opportunities and made the right decisions that led you
to multiple possibilities.
Madam, thank you for
letting me witness all of these and more. Thank you for growing with me from first grade down to our last years in college (and to all our beautiful days here on
earth). I am so blessed and grateful to share every milestone with you. I wish you nothing but genuine happiness, stable inner peace, and well-deserved success. And may you always find spark in everything that you do and through.
