“Did you ever love Dad?” I found myself asking my mom one day. It may have seemed the most foolish question I have ever asked but one out of pure curiosity. I have never in my life seen my parents hug each other, or a romantic dine at a fine restaurant, or a kiss—not even a single peck. At first, it didn’t matter to me when I was little, but as I grew older, it was quite odd to me. Now that I have found someone I truly love, I wonder how it could be so different when compared to my parents’ relationship. My mother simply looked at me and smiled. She replied, “Yes, I do love your father very much.”
Seeing the puzzled look on my face, she knew what I was thinking—she always read my thoughts. She gently told me that things were never the same … it was their way of loving each other. A little smile, a funny joke, a simple breakfast, and a soothing massage. Little things that we forget is a part of loving each other. She told me that when she was growing up … these were things that her parents did also. It wasn’t a heavy romantic outing nor a million kisses that would make love work. Simple little “I love you” gestures are what counts.
I have always thought that there is no way in which my parents could have separated but I was wrong. She recalls a time when her past lover—or should I say her ex-fiancé—wanted her to come back. She had all the reasons to go back to him but she remained loyal to my father. She told me that whether you are married or in a relationship, you must stick close to your better half in times of “trouble.” There are many people out there who would attack your happiness because they lost it when they let go of you. She strictly instructs me to always be loyal, no matter what the case may be. Always choose a commitment carefully and remain until you are destined to part. If she was to leave my father … she may have never had a cute little daughter like me! Now I know that she has experienced something that many women have faced—one that I have faced before too.
My father, on the other hand, was a quiet and not very outgoing person. However, he is one of the greatest and respectable men in my eyes. He is a man who can be called a gentleman. He doesn’t smoke, drink, or gamble—qualities that my grandmother admired. Even though he wasn’t the “flower delivering” type … he made sure that she was able to attend gardening and flower arrangement classes. He wasn’t the “fine dining” type but he made sure that she gets to drink his famous chicken soup. He was loving in his own ways and so was she.
Once again, she looked at me and chuckled a bit. “He promised me that he would take me to travel the world,” she laughed. I simply replied, “Daddy did take you to travel the world … it’s just that you guys are just halfway around the globe. Perhaps he’s going to finish this trip when you guys return to the starting point.” The starting point of how all this mysterious loving had began.
