To woo or not to woo? That is the question. (Photo c/o History.org)

Last Friday night on the bus after another tiring work week, I found myself staring into space. But as passengers were filling in the aisle, I couldn't help but notice a young lady holding on to a single long stemmed red rose. By her side was a young man, carrying  around 5 more long stemmed red roses and what seemed to be a rolled up tarpaulin banner. So I deduced that the young man was wooing the young lady.

And indeed he was. So I continued to observe them trying not to look so obvious…

He then asked the girl: "Could you help me get something in my backpack? I can't reach it. It's somewhere behind a folder there…" The girl brings out package in brown paper, looks at it in puzzlement then slowly smiles. It was another gift. The young man proudly says: "I put it there because didn't want it to get any creases. I made it myself. Look inside for the note I wrote for you. " He grins goofily.

Smooth move boy, I smiled quietly in my seat. Young love, sweet love. Courtship. True love? Maybe. Maybe not.

I must say that Dodong never pulled off those smooth moves with me. Never ever. He never wooed me with long stemmed roses and little surprises like the young man did. He never put his best foot forward like traditional courtship would dictate. In fact, he put his WORST  foot forward in the 1st 2 years of our relationship.

Did I wish he wooed me like the young man did? Looking back in the more than 8 years we've been together, not really. I am perfectly happy how we started, even if it was the worst of times, and how we ended up to be now. It is true love. Despite of and in spite of his worst foot forward, I learned to accept and embrace all of those because that is him. Besides he still has his best foot even if it came in a little later

Raj (the kitty) and Kimmy (the dog) sleeping side-by-side in peace.

The pnuemonia kept me stuck in the house resting (mostly watching TV and movies plus reading books) for the past weeks. So it also gave me time to think, think and think some more.

Our pets (a few dogs and cats) were the ones who kept me company aside from the telly and my laptop and some books. They kept following me around the house, snuggling for warmth on the bed while I had my afternoon siestas, and fooling around with each other. Yes, the dogs and cats live in harmony.

It kind of reminded me of our relationship because Dodong and I are almost complete opposites. Let me count the ways…

Dodong wakes up late (very late), while I like waking up bright and early. I'm up as soon as the sunlight hits my face.

Dodong, aside from the fact that he wakes up late, is obviously always late for his appointments, while I am the early bird. I come in at least 5-10 minutes earlier than the set appointment times.

Dodong doesn't eat breakfast (he'd rather have lunch or dinner), while I LLLLLLOOOOOOOOVEEEEE breakfast to death. I even had a breakfast buffet on one of my birthdays years back. It was torture for Dodong.

Dodong is just not into Tagalog movies, while I just adore watching them especially romantic comedies. He claims not to watch them, but did because I dragged him into them. Hehehe! Tagalog movies are fun!

Dodong is so not thoughtful and sweet, while I am just saccharine! Well, or so I thought he wasn't sweet until he sent me 7 bouquets of my favorite flower. Hehehe!

Dodong is more for the quantity of food, while I don't mind small servings yet quality food with an expensive price tag. He's food mantra is 3M: mura (inexpensive), masarap (yummy) and madami (voluminous). Cute noh?

Dodong absolutely hates schedules as he is more spontaneous, while I do live by the schedule. I'm a planner, you see, by nature AND by profession.

Dodong loves to shop (as in retail therapy mode), while I don't enjoy it as much because I'd rather eat or save. Would you believe? Hehehe! I sometimes think he's the girly girl in the relationship.

Despite the differences, Dodong and I managed to survive in peace. At least most of the time. Hehehe! It's been 8 years and counting!

Are you guys opposites or more the same?

Love the distance,

Inday I. Nagintay

Reminiscing with a hot cuppa tea

It's June 16 today! And it's a doubly special day for me because it's Loving the Distance blog's 1st ever anniversary AND it's our 8th anniversary as a couple. I take this time to reminisce on the good year that was…

The  VERY FIRST TIME I received flowers

On this very same day last year (2009), Dodong surprised me with 7-Dozen Yellow Gerberas on our anniversary It was the first time I've ever received flowers in our then 7-year relationship. I remember him in his video message (yes, ala ASAP ito!) that the 7-dozen flowers represented each month of our relationship. How sweet!

Our Pagudpud Roadtrip

After 8-months of separation (It was the looooongeeeeesssst ever!), Dodong came home and we took off to the northern-most tip of Luzon, Pagudpud, for a much needed homecoming date. It was also the first time we took Dodong's super gwapo car, Sharkface, on a joy ride…a 13-hour one. Oh 26-hour road trip considering it was a roundtrip. Hehehe.

Our Impromptu Photo-Opp at the Bangui Windmills

On the way back to Manila, we just had to pass by Bangui Windmills. The very reason we went on the looooong road trip. It was such a blast taking photos of each other, whether day-off mode (i.e. solo pic) or the two of use together. Oh we also just had to take photos of Sharkface too!

The time I lost 8-lbs for Dodong's Birthday

I had no idea of what to give Dodong for his birthday then. So I decided to take on the challenge of losing weight for him (a much coveted dream of his). I was super successful and I'd like to think that made him very happy Hihihi!

How Dodong continues to show his soft side (heart flutter!)

Long distance relationships make people miss each other like CRAZY. So duh. I just super love reminiscing about how Dodong misses me like WILD! Hehehe!

Sigh. Just thinking about that made me sad again. This is our 3rd anniversary apart But still Happy Anniversary to Us: myself, Dodong and Loving the Distance blog! More years of happiness, romance and love

Love the Distance,

Inday I. Nagintay

P.S. Watch out for the Loving the Distance Anniversary contest winner tomorrow