| Our Dearest Bea, 1. You are our first. And always will be. With you, everything was and is a new experience, an adventure -- for us as well as for you. We learned and we continue to learn life's lessons together, for everything with you is a first. Thank you, dear, for this grand adventure. 2. You'll soon be in your second year in college. And I can with all honesty say I'm so happy and proud of your accomplishments in your first year. For the first time in your life, you were left to your own devices, and you've proven how capable and mature you are. I was so worried when you left for manila at the start of the school year. Thank you for proving us right in our decision. 3. God blessed your mom and me with three wonderful kids who have given us so much happiness and joy over the years. Your sio-be and sio-ti are so in awe of you, do you know that? You are their leader, their model. Thank you for blazing the way for them. 4. You were not quite four years of age when you showed us you could read the headlines of the newspaper. How surprised and happy we were! We were so proud that we brought you to your Lolo and Lola to show you off, made you read another headline from another newspaper. Thank you for allowing us such happy, foolish moments 5. "Does she have five fingers?!" Hahaha. This memory is so stark in my mind: On the day of your birth, moments after I heard your first cry, the nurse stuck her head out of the delivery room to inform me that my wife had given birth to a healthy baby girl. I then proceeded to ask her, "Are her fingers complete? Does she have five fingers on each hand?" I'd had this irrational fear during your mom's pregnancy, of birth defects, and other such things. When I looked in the nursery window and saw you, I prayed, "Thank you, God, for giving me such a beautiful child." 6. Six years ago, you were not yet a teenager, but on the verge of being one. I had apprehensions, fearing the coming of stormy confrontations and teen angst (I myself was a teenager once, you know). But I found my fears unrealized, and witnessed you blooming into this wonderful, caring, talented, intelligent teenager. I wondered what we did right. And each time we went to church, I thanked the Lord for this, among His many blessings. 7. In seven more years, if you continue along the path you've set for yourself, you will be graduating from medical school. Seven years may seem a little beyond the horizon for now, but, Lord, how time flies! Continue to focus on your goals, dear. "The captain that best guides the ship is he who has in his mind an image of his destination and would that he reach there, never mind the storms that billow nor the mermaids that sing." 8. I come from a family with eight children, and though it was at times a bit rough, all in all I had a grand time as a child. I hope that although our family is smaller, you kids had a similarly fun childhood. We've tried to make it so. I remember our trips – to Bohol, Davao, Dapitan, Bukidnon, Cebu, Manila. The sights filled me with wonder – the Tarsiers, the Philippine eagles, seeing Rizal's place in Dapitan, enjoying the good life in plantation bay, riding the rides in Enchanted Kingdom. These places became memorable because we were there, showing our kids the beauty that can be found in our country. Thank you for inspiring us into taking these trips. 9. Nine years from now, you'll be 27 years of age – that was the age your mom and I got married. A few months after (in the last week of August, if my memory serves me right), we got the best news ever – we were going to have a baby!!! For nine months, your mom lovingly took care of you in her womb. So proud were we and so excited to be first-time parents! Thank you, dear, for coming into our lives. 10. Ten things I admire about you: your compassion for those less fortunate than you, your willingness to try new things, your love for your siblings, your talent in writing, the confidence you have in your abilities and talents, your love for animals, the kindness you show to your friends and classmates, your ability to adapt to new and unfamiliar situations, your talent in taking great pictures and videos, and your ability to make decisions for yourself. 11 and 12. Jesus made two new commandments, to add to the ten in the old testament – Do unto others as you would have others do unto you; and love one another as I have loved you. Compassion is the physician's greatest tool. Always remember the precepts of Jesus, dear, when you practice your profession. 13. Thirteen years ago, you became a big sister. You were five years old at the time, and I remember how we both waited outside the delivery room. And after Cait was born, we looked at her with wonder through the nursery window, and I saw how proud you were to be a big sister. Thank you for being a good role model for her all these years. 14, 15, 16, 17 … the years marched on, and suddenly, as I type this, it's now precisely 12:00 midnight, May 26, 2011, and you're officially 18!!! Happy birthday, dear! Mom and I love you so much, and want the very best for you. Thank you for being such a lovable baby, such a cute toddler, a wonderful child, a loving teenager, and now a caring young adult. The future is yours. It is God's greatest gift to you, and much like clay, you can shape it any way you want. See you in a few hours!!!! Mwah!!! -- Another one of your parents | | Our Dearest Bea, 1. You are our first. And always will be. With you, everything was and is a new experience, an adventure -- for us as well as for you. We learned and we continue to learn life's lessons together, for everything with you is a first. Thank you, dear, for this grand adventure. 2. You'll soon be in your second year in college. And I can with all honesty say I'm so happy and proud of your accomplishments in your first year. For the first time in your life, you were left to your own devices, and you've proven how capable and mature you are. I was so worried when you left for manila at the start of the school year. Thank you for proving us right in our decision. 3. God blessed your mom and me with three wonderful kids who have given us so much happiness and joy over the years. Your sio-be and sio-ti are so in awe of you, do you know that? You are their leader, their model. Thank you for blazing the way for them. 4. You were not quite four years of age when you showed us you could read the headlines of the newspaper. How surprised and happy we were! We were so proud that we brought you to your Lolo and Lola to show you off, made you read another headline from another newspaper. Thank you for allowing us such happy, foolish moments 5. "Does she have five fingers?!" Hahaha. This memory is so stark in my mind: On the day of your birth, moments after I heard your first cry, the nurse stuck her head out of the delivery room to inform me that my wife had given birth to a healthy baby girl. I then proceeded to ask her, "Are her fingers complete? Does she have five fingers on each hand?" I'd had this irrational fear during your mom's pregnancy, of birth defects, and other such things. When I looked in the nursery window and saw you, I prayed, "Thank you, God, for giving me such a beautiful child." 6. Six years ago, you were not yet a teenager, but on the verge of being one. I had apprehensions, fearing the coming of stormy confrontations and teen angst (I myself was a teenager once, you know). But I found my fears unrealized, and witnessed you blooming into this wonderful, caring, talented, intelligent teenager. I wondered what we did right. And each time we went to church, I thanked the Lord for this, among His many blessings. 7. In seven more years, if you continue along the path you've set for yourself, you will be graduating from medical school. Seven years may seem a little beyond the horizon for now, but, Lord, how time flies! Continue to focus on your goals, dear. "The captain that best guides the ship is he who has in his mind an image of his destination and would that he reach there, never mind the storms that billow nor the mermaids that sing." 8. I come from a family with eight children, and though it was at times a bit rough, all in all I had a grand time as a child. I hope that although our family is smaller, you kids had a similarly fun childhood. We've tried to make it so. I remember our trips – to Bohol, Davao, Dapitan, Bukidnon, Cebu, Manila. The sights filled me with wonder – the Tarsiers, the Philippine eagles, seeing Rizal's place in Dapitan, enjoying the good life in plantation bay, riding the rides in Enchanted Kingdom. These places became memorable because we were there, showing our kids the beauty that can be found in our country. Thank you for inspiring us into taking these trips. 9. Nine years from now, you'll be 27 years of age – that was the age your mom and I got married. A few months after (in the last week of August, if my memory serves me right), we got the best news ever – we were going to have a baby!!! For nine months, your mom lovingly took care of you in her womb. So proud were we and so excited to be first-time parents! Thank you, dear, for coming into our lives. 10. Ten things I admire about you: your compassion for those less fortunate than you, your willingness to try new things, your love for your siblings, your talent in writing, the confidence you have in your abilities and talents, your love for animals, the kindness you show to your friends and classmates, your ability to adapt to new and unfamiliar situations, your talent in taking great pictures and videos, and your ability to make decisions for yourself. 11 and 12. Jesus made two new commandments, to add to the ten in the old testament – Do unto others as you would have others do unto you; and love one another as I have loved you. Compassion is the physician's greatest tool. Always remember the precepts of Jesus, dear, when you practice your profession. 13. Thirteen years ago, you became a big sister. You were five years old at the time, and I remember how we both waited outside the delivery room. And after Cait was born, we looked at her with wonder through the nursery window, and I saw how proud you were to be a big sister. Thank you for being a good role model for her all these years. 14, 15, 16, 17 … the years marched on, and suddenly, as I type this, it's now precisely 12:00 midnight, May 26, 2011, and you're officially 18!!! Happy birthday, dear! Mom and I love you so much, and want the very best for you. Thank you for being such a lovable baby, such a cute toddler, a wonderful child, a loving teenager, and now a caring young adult. The future is yours. It is God's greatest gift to you, and much like clay, you can shape it any way you want. See you in a few hours!!!! Mwah!!! -- Another one of your parents | | Our Dearest Bea, 1. You are our first. And always will be. With you, everything was and is a new experience, an adventure -- for us as well as for you. We learned and we continue to learn life's lessons together, for everything with you is a first. Thank you, dear, for this grand adventure. 2. You'll soon be in your second year in college. And I can with all honesty say I'm so happy and proud of your accomplishments in your first year. For the first time in your life, you were left to your own devices, and you've proven how capable and mature you are. I was so worried when you left for manila at the start of the school year. Thank you for proving us right in our decision. 3. God blessed your mom and me with three wonderful kids who have given us so much happiness and joy over the years. Your sio-be and sio-ti are so in awe of you, do you know that? You are their leader, their model. Thank you for blazing the way for them. 4. You were not quite four years of age when you showed us you could read the headlines of the newspaper. How surprised and happy we were! We were so proud that we brought you to your Lolo and Lola to show you off, made you read another headline from another newspaper. Thank you for allowing us such happy, foolish moments 5. "Does she have five fingers?!" Hahaha. This memory is so stark in my mind: On the day of your birth, moments after I heard your first cry, the nurse stuck her head out of the delivery room to inform me that my wife had given birth to a healthy baby girl. I then proceeded to ask her, "Are her fingers complete? Does she have five fingers on each hand?" I'd had this irrational fear during your mom's pregnancy, of birth defects, and other such things. When I looked in the nursery window and saw you, I prayed, "Thank you, God, for giving me such a beautiful child." 6. Six years ago, you were not yet a teenager, but on the verge of being one. I had apprehensions, fearing the coming of stormy confrontations and teen angst (I myself was a teenager once, you know). But I found my fears unrealized, and witnessed you blooming into this wonderful, caring, talented, intelligent teenager. I wondered what we did right. And each time we went to church, I thanked the Lord for this, among His many blessings. 7. In seven more years, if you continue along the path you've set for yourself, you will be graduating from medical school. Seven years may seem a little beyond the horizon for now, but, Lord, how time flies! Continue to focus on your goals, dear. "The captain that best guides the ship is he who has in his mind an image of his destination and would that he reach there, never mind the storms that billow nor the mermaids that sing." 8. I come from a family with eight children, and though it was at times a bit rough, all in all I had a grand time as a child. I hope that although our family is smaller, you kids had a similarly fun childhood. We've tried to make it so. I remember our trips – to Bohol, Davao, Dapitan, Bukidnon, Cebu, Manila. The sights filled me with wonder – the Tarsiers, the Philippine eagles, seeing Rizal's place in Dapitan, enjoying the good life in plantation bay, riding the rides in Enchanted Kingdom. These places became memorable because we were there, showing our kids the beauty that can be found in our country. Thank you for inspiring us into taking these trips. 9. Nine years from now, you'll be 27 years of age – that was the age your mom and I got married. A few months after (in the last week of August, if my memory serves me right), we got the best news ever – we were going to have a baby!!! For nine months, your mom lovingly took care of you in her womb. So proud were we and so excited to be first-time parents! Thank you, dear, for coming into our lives. 10. Ten things I admire about you: your compassion for those less fortunate than you, your willingness to try new things, your love for your siblings, your talent in writing, the confidence you have in your abilities and talents, your love for animals, the kindness you show to your friends and classmates, your ability to adapt to new and unfamiliar situations, your talent in taking great pictures and videos, and your ability to make decisions for yourself. 11 and 12. Jesus made two new commandments, to add to the ten in the old testament – Do unto others as you would have others do unto you; and love one another as I have loved you. Compassion is the physician's greatest tool. Always remember the precepts of Jesus, dear, when you practice your profession. 13. Thirteen years ago, you became a big sister. You were five years old at the time, and I remember how we both waited outside the delivery room. And after Cait was born, we looked at her with wonder through the nursery window, and I saw how proud you were to be a big sister. Thank you for being a good role model for her all these years. 14, 15, 16, 17 … the years marched on, and suddenly, as I type this, it's now precisely 12:00 midnight, May 26, 2011, and you're officially 18!!! Happy birthday, dear! Mom and I love you so much, and want the very best for you. Thank you for being such a lovable baby, such a cute toddler, a wonderful child, a loving teenager, and now a caring young adult. The future is yours. It is God's greatest gift to you, and much like clay, you can shape it any way you want. See you in a few hours!!!! Mwah!!! -- Another one of your parents | | Our Dearest Bea, 1. You are our first. And always will be. With you, everything was and is a new experience, an adventure -- for us as well as for you. We learned and we continue to learn life's lessons together, for everything with you is a first. Thank you, dear, for this grand adventure. 2. You'll soon be in your second year in college. And I can with all honesty say I'm so happy and proud of your accomplishments in your first year. For the first time in your life, you were left to your own devices, and you've proven how capable and mature you are. I was so worried when you left for manila at the start of the school year. Thank you for proving us right in our decision. 3. God blessed your mom and me with three wonderful kids who have given us so much happiness and joy over the years. Your sio-be and sio-ti are so in awe of you, do you know that? You are their leader, their model. Thank you for blazing the way for them. 4. You were not quite four years of age when you showed us you could read the headlines of the newspaper. How surprised and happy we were! We were so proud that we brought you to your Lolo and Lola to show you off, made you read another headline from another newspaper. Thank you for allowing us such happy, foolish moments 5. "Does she have five fingers?!" Hahaha. This memory is so stark in my mind: On the day of your birth, moments after I heard your first cry, the nurse stuck her head out of the delivery room to inform me that my wife had given birth to a healthy baby girl. I then proceeded to ask her, "Are her fingers complete? Does she have five fingers on each hand?" I'd had this irrational fear during your mom's pregnancy, of birth defects, and other such things. When I looked in the nursery window and saw you, I prayed, "Thank you, God, for giving me such a beautiful child." 6. Six years ago, you were not yet a teenager, but on the verge of being one. I had apprehensions, fearing the coming of stormy confrontations and teen angst (I myself was a teenager once, you know). But I found my fears unrealized, and witnessed you blooming into this wonderful, caring, talented, intelligent teenager. I wondered what we did right. And each time we went to church, I thanked the Lord for this, among His many blessings. 7. In seven more years, if you continue along the path you've set for yourself, you will be graduating from medical school. Seven years may seem a little beyond the horizon for now, but, Lord, how time flies! Continue to focus on your goals, dear. "The captain that best guides the ship is he who has in his mind an image of his destination and would that he reach there, never mind the storms that billow nor the mermaids that sing." 8. I come from a family with eight children, and though it was at times a bit rough, all in all I had a grand time as a child. I hope that although our family is smaller, you kids had a similarly fun childhood. We've tried to make it so. I remember our trips – to Bohol, Davao, Dapitan, Bukidnon, Cebu, Manila. The sights filled me with wonder – the Tarsiers, the Philippine eagles, seeing Rizal's place in Dapitan, enjoying the good life in plantation bay, riding the rides in Enchanted Kingdom. These places became memorable because we were there, showing our kids the beauty that can be found in our country. Thank you for inspiring us into taking these trips. 9. Nine years from now, you'll be 27 years of age – that was the age your mom and I got married. A few months after (in the last week of August, if my memory serves me right), we got the best news ever – we were going to have a baby!!! For nine months, your mom lovingly took care of you in her womb. So proud were we and so excited to be first-time parents! Thank you, dear, for coming into our lives. 10. Ten things I admire about you: your compassion for those less fortunate than you, your willingness to try new things, your love for your siblings, your talent in writing, the confidence you have in your abilities and talents, your love for animals, the kindness you show to your friends and classmates, your ability to adapt to new and unfamiliar situations, your talent in taking great pictures and videos, and your ability to make decisions for yourself. 11 and 12. Jesus made two new commandments, to add to the ten in the old testament – Do unto others as you would have others do unto you; and love one another as I have loved you. Compassion is the physician's greatest tool. Always remember the precepts of Jesus, dear, when you practice your profession. 13. Thirteen years ago, you became a big sister. You were five years old at the time, and I remember how we both waited outside the delivery room. And after Cait was born, we looked at her with wonder through the nursery window, and I saw how proud you were to be a big sister. Thank you for being a good role model for her all these years. 14, 15, 16, 17 … the years marched on, and suddenly, as I type this, it's now precisely 12:00 midnight, May 26, 2011, and you're officially 18!!! Happy birthday, dear! Mom and I love you so much, and want the very best for you. Thank you for being such a lovable baby, such a cute toddler, a wonderful child, a loving teenager, and now a caring young adult. The future is yours. It is God's greatest gift to you, and much like clay, you can shape it any way you want. See you in a few hours!!!! Mwah!!! -- Another one of your parents | Our Dearest Bea, 1. You are our first. And always will be. With you, everything was and is a new experience, an adventure -- for us as well as for you. We learned and we continue to learn life's lessons together, for everything with you is a first. Thank you, dear, for this grand adventure. 2. You'll soon be in your second year in college. And I can with all honesty say I'm so happy and proud of your accomplishments in your first year. For the first time in your life, you were left to your own devices, and you've proven how capable and mature you are. I was so worried when you left for manila at the start of the school year. Thank you for proving us right in our decision. 3. God blessed your mom and me with three wonderful kids who have given us so much happiness and joy over the years. Your sio-be and sio-ti are so in awe of you, do you know that? You are their leader, their model. Thank you for blazing the way for them. 4. You were not quite four years of age when you showed us you could read the headlines of the newspaper. How surprised and happy we were! We were so proud that we brought you to your Lolo and Lola to show you off, made you read another headline from another newspaper. Thank you for allowing us such happy, foolish moments 5. "Does she have five fingers?!" Hahaha. This memory is so stark in my mind: On the day of your birth, moments after I heard your first cry, the nurse stuck her head out of the delivery room to inform me that my wife had given birth to a healthy baby girl. I then proceeded to ask her, "Are her fingers complete? Does she have five fingers on each hand?" I'd had this irrational fear during your mom's pregnancy, of birth defects, and other such things. When I looked in the nursery window and saw you, I prayed, "Thank you, God, for giving me such a beautiful child." 6. Six years ago, you were not yet a teenager, but on the verge of being one. I had apprehensions, fearing the coming of stormy confrontations and teen angst (I myself was a teenager once, you know). But I found my fears unrealized, and witnessed you blooming into this wonderful, caring, talented, intelligent teenager. I wondered what we did right. And each time we went to church, I thanked the Lord for this, among His many blessings. 7. In seven more years, if you continue along the path you've set for yourself, you will be graduating from medical school. Seven years may seem a little beyond the horizon for now, but, Lord, how time flies! Continue to focus on your goals, dear. "The captain that best guides the ship is he who has in his mind an image of his destination and would that he reach there, never mind the storms that billow nor the mermaids that sing." 8. I come from a family with eight children, and though it was at times a bit rough, all in all I had a grand time as a child. I hope that although our family is smaller, you kids had a similarly fun childhood. We've tried to make it so. I remember our trips – to Bohol, Davao, Dapitan, Bukidnon, Cebu, Manila. The sights filled me with wonder – the Tarsiers, the Philippine eagles, seeing Rizal's place in Dapitan, enjoying the good life in plantation bay, riding the rides in Enchanted Kingdom. These places became memorable because we were there, showing our kids the beauty that can be found in our country. Thank you for inspiring us into taking these trips. 9. Nine years from now, you'll be 27 years of age – that was the age your mom and I got married. A few months after (in the last week of August, if my memory serves me right), we got the best news ever – we were going to have a baby!!! For nine months, your mom lovingly took care of you in her womb. So proud were we and so excited to be first-time parents! Thank you, dear, for coming into our lives. 10. Ten things I admire about you: your compassion for those less fortunate than you, your willingness to try new things, your love for your siblings, your talent in writing, the confidence you have in your abilities and talents, your love for animals, the kindness you show to your friends and classmates, your ability to adapt to new and unfamiliar situations, your talent in taking great pictures and videos, and your ability to make decisions for yourself. 11 and 12. Jesus made two new commandments, to add to the ten in the old testament – Do unto others as you would have others do unto you; and love one another as I have loved you. Compassion is the physician's greatest tool. Always remember the precepts of Jesus, dear, when you practice your profession. 13. Thirteen years ago, you became a big sister. You were five years old at the time, and I remember how we both waited outside the delivery room. And after Cait was born, we looked at her with wonder through the nursery window, and I saw how proud you were to be a big sister. Thank you for being a good role model for her all these years. 14, 15, 16, 17 … the years marched on, and suddenly, as I type this, it's now precisely 12:00 midnight, May 26, 2011, and you're officially 18!!! Happy birthday, dear! Mom and I love you so much, and want the very best for you. Thank you for being such a lovable baby, such a cute toddler, a wonderful child, a loving teenager, and now a caring young adult. The future is yours. It is God's greatest gift to you, and much like clay, you can shape it any way you want. See you in a few hours!!!! Mwah!!! -- another one of your parents |
