The Comfort in Two

As summer gives way to fall and winter, I sigh in relief because the end of the year is my favorite. Along with the holidays, our families celebrate multiple birthdays and anniversaries within the -ber months. This past two months, in particular, we celebrated Tino turning 30 and our second year of marriage.

Cotton is the 2nd-anniversary gift. It's poetic because the longer you are married, the more your life becomes intertwined with your partner. Even though I am stubbornly independent, I know three strands are not easily broken. Cotton represents how marriage brings couples closer together; the material is flexible, symbolizing adaptability and a strengthening relationship. Oh, how true this was for year two, just learning more about each other. Ecclesiastes 4:12 will be something I hold close to my heart in this new year (and 2023) because we're stepping into trust as we transition to a one-income household to give Tino time to rest and re-evaluate his career plans.

This man stepped back into my life when I was at a crossroads. I prayed for someone and hesitantly asked for more than I thought I could be given. To see God's work in his life mirror my prayers gives me so much peace. Every time I look at Tino, I am reminded of how faithful He is to his promises.

To walk this life and have someone so selfless pray over me? I am so blessed to call this man my home.

& it was called Yellow

Look at the stars, look how they shine for you and all the things you do ⭒

This is how I'll remember your 20s - always on my couch studying for some test, napping, or bingeing your current Netflix obsession with a bowl of pasta. You've called it your own room, and my couch has never quite recovered from your visits. Of course, Mochi is never too far away. I have more shots of your naps, but I know those are far less appreciated hehe.

Photographs don't capture the valleys you walked through and the mountains I watched you climb in your past decade. I'm so proud of who are and that you're stepping into a new chapter more sure of yourself and unafraid of your future. Thank you for letting me hold your hand during our midnight sessions expressing vulnerabilities and hopes for this short life. I appreciate that you give love freely and you welcome me to take part in your victories. You are so loved.

Happiest birthday to my sakay o patay, my business partner, secret keeper & the reason this blog exists.

Goodbye, 2021!

This year has been a whirlwind. I am grateful for everything this year brought, and excited for 2022.

The best of 2021:

• Chungus - even though I can't get any work done, and I can't ever be on my phone anymore.

• Assisted in the design of brand new taxiways for 3 airports; wrapped up 3 construction projects at LAX and ONT.

• Bought a house, continuing to make it a home. Even though the closets are the bane of my existence right now.

• Everything K&N became this year. Excited for a new direction and ideas in 2022.

• Bon started her career in Pasadena. That meant more sleepovers and twice the amount of pasta.

• Ran my first and last half-marathon. Training for it took dancing away for a few months, so I'm excited to be back to my preferred outlet of Tahitian, Hawaiian, and ballroom :)

• Dodged COVID for the second year in a row. This seemed almost impossible towards the end of the year.

Goals for 2022:

• Keep shooting consistently and follow through with the projects I've been meaning to start.

• Start and finish the closets at home (lol to how long I've ranted about this to my sister)

• Europe - this trip got postponed FOUR times. WE. ARE. GONNA. MAKE. IT. HAPPEN.

• Road trips - to parks, to Lyssa and Leo, and just to get out.

• More courage to step out of comfort zones, and more grace when mistakes happen during that process.

Happy New Year! Thank you for all the support on this site. I see each one of you, and am grateful for your visits 😉