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 21^st year on earth.

        In 21 years, I’ve witnessed:

1.     How you proved to our 3^rd 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.