Adpenture

When I say a newly-married life is a treasure of adventures waiting to be found, I guess this is one adventure we can add to the list!

There was so much counseling and planning involved in this arrangement and we had been putting our trust in God with our decision to finally move out and make new life-changing decisions for our small family.

A Real-Life Studio Ghibli Movie

I have been saying this for months since we moved into our first apartment but everything about our place was so serene and beautiful that it feels like I am living in a studio ghibli movie.

No exaggeration whatsoever. Imagine waking up to the sound of birds chirping in the trees, a bit of barking here and there, and the pinkish-to-orange sky welcoming you with open arms. Everything feels so peaceful and comforting, to say the least.

Journals are my saving grace for keeping these treasures and I hope I can put the right words to remember those beautiful moments from our first home. And as our moving date comes to a close, I made sure to seize those moments as much as I can through my phone…though my camera can’t seem to capture the exact ambiance I was experiencing in real life. But that’s all I could do.

Friends We’ve Made

Another treasure we have discovered is the friendships we’ve built throughout our stay. Our first home wouldn’t be like it was without the friends that helped us settle in and enjoy every hour in our old place.

The next-door neighbors we’ve had have the kindest hearts for sharing with us their delicious meals and nice afternoon talks after a whole day’s work. Though we have different religions, our families both experienced God’s love through kind words and actions that break the barriers thought to be built because of differences.

It is also kind of ironic how two neighbors mirror the life of marriage. Us, as newlyweds, and them, as long-married couples. And as much as I want to lay down the differences, I am amazed to see only similarities we both have and the wishes I have for our future because of the example they have shown to us.

The same goes for our dearest Amalia, Dianne and Danica who were the most beautiful set of sisters that came into our life. These ladies are many many things to us but the most accurate we can think of is how they became our kids throughout our stay. Having the three of them stay over countless times helped us get to know them more and make them part of our first few months as a newlywed. Their sweet spirits brought so much light into our home that we were eager to have them more. If only we could adopt them, we would. But they’re adults now, so.

These three made our home a home. There’s no doubt about it and I hope you are reading this Danica because we would really miss your lutang moments. Although Amalia left earlier to serve a full-time mission, it felt like we are leaving her as well on our move.

Regardless, these beautiful people were the treasures we’ve found and will always cherish through our memories.

Games, Laughter & the YSAs

The same goes for this activity, which we will miss a lot during our stay.

I may have mentioned it here and there but our first apartment had been the home of game nights for YSAs for months now. Every Sunday after a long day at church and doing the Lord’s work, the young single adults from our ward would gather together and play board games for bonding and ministering efforts to our new friends as well.

Since Gerson and I decided to not buy any TV but instead use our money to purchase board games of any kind for wholesome activities at home…the YSAs sure enjoyed every bit of what we got.

We blasted our place with laughter (as much as we want to tone it down) and hoped our good neighbors don’t report us to the barangay tanod. Luckily, we have the most patient and considerate neighbors. Bless them.

With every visit these wonderful YSAs did to our first apartment, we made memories that we knew and built many friendships and good relations. We hoped we continue to do this by maybe inviting them to our new place or us going all the way to theirs.

Things We Left Behind

When people move out of their apartments, we know they leave a bit of themselves. And I guess we would too with ours.

As we gradually moved our things out, cleaned the space spick and span, and bid our farewells to our dear friends…we left a bit of the memory we treasured for the first few months of our stay.

We hope the new tenants will make new memories of their own as well. Ones that will help them build a strong foundation of their faith and family…just as it did with ours.

As much as this would be a sad goodbye, we know it is just one of the many adventures we get to discover in our newly-married life. And a new and happy chapter is waiting for us.