THE STORY OF "THEM"

In the myriad of faces in a busy street, crowded public utility vehicle, malls, parks, schools, or workplaces; there will be that "special one" who they say is meant for you, or, though it may sound very mushy, the one destined to be your lifetime partner -- your soul-mate. But how would one tell which is which, who is the one? Definitely, there is no secret formula nor rules and guidelines to help you identify that exceptional "one". Usually, it is the person we ignore, an individual we take for granted, or a soul we don't even take notice of.

As the cliche goes, he or she comes from in the most unexpected place, in the most unexpected time, and in the most unexpected way. Lucky are those who have found their match and those who find "them" have their unique stories to tell.

"I first met him at the factory where he and I worked together. There were no sparks nor lightning bolt that flashes across the sky when we first laid eyes upon each other. No violins played, and there was no sudden whisper of a cool breeze. We were thrown into the same crowd, moving in the same circles, having the same set of friends; until we started running into each other for one reason or another. It was the kind of romance that grew out of friendship -- slow, gradual, unnoticed until the last minute."

Yes! that's the great grand "love story" of my parents. My mother and father knew each other as only friends and co-employees. However, it wasn't years later that this simple acquaintance developed into a more meaningful relationship. What began as friendship grew into something more lasting, more binding, and hopefully forever. Both of legal age, they decided to tie the knot despite the disapproval of their parents and relatives. My father stayed within the company, while my mother resigned to become a full-time housewife. Three children. wherein one is exceptionally cute, were born out of that marriage.

Throughout marriage, problems naturally arose but were eventually solved right away. Though the relationship was that not happy all the time, it was not always as rosy as some may describe it. Just like what others were always saying, if you want to take the rose, you must be ready to accept the thorns with it.