Dear Anni,
Recently, I googled you and JP. You have a Facebook fan page! Someone loves your love story, as I do. I feel really blessed to have met up with you both 4 years ago. You both are wonderful and perfect together! I actually feel a sense of possessiveness and loyalty to your love story, so you better not mess that marriage up. Just kidding! I'm fond of you, and I wished that I had made coming back home for the wedding happen.
Long ago, my sister mentioned that I'm such a bad influence, that I talk people into decisions that they wouldn't have made. I had laughed, but it got me questioning: Did I talk (pressure?) you into choosing PhilSci? Or am I giving myself too much credit? You'd probably say yes to the latter.
Out of the few who took the entrance exams, only the two of us entered EVC. Cres Ann went to Diliman; Caesar and Julie Ann stayed in LIDE. Our shared path of boarding houses, rooms, closets, classes, meals brought us to the level of sisters, I think. We argued, fought and had cold wars. I even wrote diary entries about you. But we would go home together and come back from Isabel together. We forgot those arguments as quickly as they arose.
I was really blessed to have you during the high school years. You have been a support, an encouragement and sister to me. Remember the story we wrote when your brother was born? I don't have a copy of it anymore, but the story of many Antonio messed me up when my mother asked me how many siblings you have. She laughed and said, "You could be a better friend." (It's 5, right?)
As this new chapter of your life unfolds, I pray for you and JP, just like I do for Faith and my future brother-in-law, B-Jay: May God be central in your marriages. May you be intentional in the way you love and serve each other. May you be blessed with children who will be a treasure just like you had been to your parents. May the marriages be lengthy, fruitful and a testament to God's providence. I look forward to seeing and eating in your beautiful kitchen.
Love--
