Birthday Post: Turning 40 and a look back at my 30s #frannyat40
Today I celebrate a milestone. Turning 40.
It seems like my 30s was so eventful and packed with so much changes and adventures that somehow it flew by so fast. I still remember celebrating my 30th birthday with family and my bestest friends. It was at a nice cozy restaurant in Quezon City and I even had lechon flown in from Davao! How cool was that?! Who would have thought that months after that, Paul and I would be packing our bags and bidding our lives in Manila temporarily goodbye as we relocated to Singapore. We spent the next 4 years of our 30s living abroad and would just fly in and out of Manila for quick weekend trips to see the family. My 30s was also when I have experienced my two biggest heartbreaks -- the death of my Ama and Kongkong who both have played very important roles in my life. Somehow, not having them around feels like missing two very important puzzle pieces that I'll never ever be able to have back.
As they say though, at the end of a thunderstorm or rain comes a beautiful rainbow and right smack at the middle of my 30s, I was blessed with the arrival of my beautiful twins, L & J. Before they came along, I thought I had it all -- a loving husband, a supportive family, a growing career and a good circle of life friends whom I can trust with all my heart. I thought life was pretty neat and complete. This was until I became a mom to my twins and I realized that life can even be better and today, I can never imagine my life without them in it. My world literally revolves around them and all I pray everyday is to be able to live longer to be there for them. Being a mom has gave so much meaning and purpose to my life. Gone are the days when I would worry about the most petty things. I've also learned so much about friendship, trust and building meaningful relationships.
As I enter the 40s club, I have no idea what lies ahead. I know for a fact that I will definitely be at the forefront watching my twins grow up. I hope they won't grow up that fast though, I still want to be able to have more cuddle time, more chance to play hide and seek with them, to watch them laugh and giggle at the silliest things and to beam with pride as we witness each and every developmental milestones as a family of four. I want to take more trips and build more memories with each and every member of my family too. If there's one thing that I've learned about dealing with a pandemic for the past two years is to take each day at a time and to make the most of every moment with your loved ones. Seize the day, they say.
So, Happy Birthday to me and thank you for being there to witness my life unfold through all these years. Cheers!