This year’s anniversary didn’t exactly go as expected. We really wanted to eat at this Senegalese restaurant in Metz, but somehow those plans didn’t pan out. Instead, we ended up having Indian food delivery at home with good friends. Don’t ask me why. When the Husband and I were in bed later that night, too tired to do anything but sleep (? ? ), we couldn’t help but laugh about how our night turned out. We had a really fun night and the way the Husband sees it is that this year’s anniversary theme was sharing our love to others.
I think that when friends see the Husband and I, they have a tendency to think that we have it all. That our relationship is made of a bed of roses. Let me assure you – it’s not. The statistics are impressive: 7 years being boyfriend-girlfriend, 9 years being husband-wife, 16 years altogether. But what’s more impressive is the work behind it all.
I was talking to a trainee who is persuaded that high school / college love doesn’t last. She might be right, but I’d like to believe that there’s an exception to everything.
I think the tricky part of a high school love is balancing your self and your couple. The Husband and I have loved each other in different ways. I first loved him as a high school punk, then as a struggling college student, as an immature adult, a young 20+ year old father, a husband, and now a serious and mature working man. I’m sure it’s the same for him. The challenge has been growing individually, but also with a partner alongside and respecting their individual needs too.
There is an African proverb that goes like this, « If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together. » That’s exactly how I feel about us.
Anyways, Baby Girl talked about a music playlist she has on her phone the other day. A phone she inherited from me. Shockingly, I realized that this was a playlist I had put together on iTunes a couple of years ago. Almost each song represented a specific moment in our relationship and I thought why not share it here.
Our love story started with Hanging by a Moment by Lifehouse. I was celebrating my 16th birthday. The Husband was the lead singer of his high school band and he was singing this song when I first noticed him.
You Were Meant For Me by Jewel. The Husband was first to fall hard in our relationship. Admittedly, it took me a couple of months. I was going through a hard time (my mom had recently passed away), but he stayed and waited until I could find the words to say what I felt.
By Your Side by Sade. Six months in our relationship, I was finally head over heels. We were 16-17, but he was my world and I would have done anything for him.
Til I Hear It From You by Gin Blossoms. The Husband and I are very different, except for one thing. Music. Sure, we don’t always like the same songs but Gin Blossoms is one band we both love.
Stigmatized by The Calling. On some evenings, we would hang out in my room. He would play my acoustic guitar and I would sing. This is the first song we practiced in duo.
Love Song for a Savior by Jars of Clay. As much as we love music, we haven’t been to many concerts together. One of the few was Jars of Clay, who came to our city of Cebu in the Philippines.
Much Has Been Said by Bamboo. Like everything in life, nothing’s perfect. We had our bad times and these were rough. We broke up, got back together, broke up again, got back together several times. Of course, looking back, those were times when I felt like my world was crumbling. But this was necessary for us to find our way back to each other.
No Letting Go by Wayne Wonder. A couple of months after finding out that I might never have children naturally, a miracle happened. I was pregnant. But we were also very young (22-23 years old). During my baby shower, the Husband surprised me with an acoustic version of this song. It was one of the sweetest things ever.
La Vie en Rose by Edith Piaf. One year after the birth of our child, Baby Girl, we decided to get married in a surprise ceremony. It was simple but filled with emotions.
Toi et Moi by Guillaume Grand. When Baby Girl was 3 years old, I came to France to find a job and prepare our future life together here. I was separated from my husband and my child for 1 year. It was one of the hardest things I’ve had to do in my life, but it was for a brighter future. I got over many lonely nights listening to this song imagining the day the Husband and I would be reunited again.
Loved me back to life by Celine Dion. That’s exactly what the Husband did for me. I lost my mom when I was 16 years old. He was there. I lost my father when I was 27 years old. Again, he was there. I was at my lowest, but he stood by my side and loved me back to life.
Sunday Morning by Maroon 5. On a Sunday morning, you will most likely find the three of us in our bed listening to this song. It’s our thing. It has even become Baby Girl’s favorite song. When it comes up on the radio or television, the Husband and I can’t help but look for the other. We usually end up hugging or even slow dancing.
I can’t help but feel a little emotional as I hear all of these songs that have marked my life. I am 32 years old now and I pray that I will have many many more years to come. What a life I have created along with the Husband. I may not be financially rich, but I know where my wealth is. My Love.