Little Souls

Little Souls (131)

Author's Note: F I C T I O N

—
July 16th, 2025

My Dearest RJ,

You asked me why I am so busy this past few days and why you felt that there's a secret I am hiding from you, and I told you—wag kang makulit and you just pout like my five year old way back then. 🤗

This is what I've been doing secretly in time for July 16th. You're holding a box with this letter and a note instruction inside. From now on, we will call this as "LETTERS OF MEMORIES" and we will keep this at one of the safety box in our study room (Follow the note for the safety key instructions). Everytime we wrote letter for each other we will put it here, and our children can also join later on when they will be able to write. I intend to keep this as our little family tradition. Something we could look back and read together when we're 70, or 80? or until this lifetime allows us to.

Today, I will start our memories by giving you this letter on the 16th day of July 2025–a decade after you came into my life and gave me the best love story I've ever known and experienced.

I remember too well how that day unfold—your smile, your dimple, your being you, yet, I am still learning up until this day how that magical day was able to change both our world—as much as also me asking God, how lucky I was to be chosen among others to be in that moment alongside you.

It wasn't an easy start, my RJ, but it definitely is a worthy journey. You are everything I've ever dreamt and wanted as a boyfriend, as a husband and as a father to my children.

Please know that even after a decade with two beautiful children already—you still never fail to sweep me off my feet. You still never fail to effortlessly put butterflies in my stomach. You still make me blush every time you look at me like I am the most beautiful woman to ever grace your life. You still won me over those puppy eyes, deep dimple and a smile that reaches your eyes. YOU STILL MAKE ME THE HAPPIEST and I LOVE YOU for that.

You said to me back then that you're grateful because GOD GAVE YOU ME, and I want you to know I feel the same way—YOU ARE MORE THAN A GIFT TO ME. YOU ARE A TESTAMENT THAT GOD NEVER EVER FAILED ME—BECAUSE YOU ARE HERE WITH ME SHARING THE BEST THINGS THIS LIFETIME COULD OFFER ME.

Rj, I THANK MY GOD that JULY 16th, 2015 happened. I THANK MY GOD that even after a decade of being with me, of countless i-love-yous, and of the many letters I gave you—there are still moments that I couldn't put to words how much you mean to me. There are no words to describe how much I love you, RJ—even poets will never put into prose and rhymes my heart that is full of you.

You own the spot—STILL.
...and it will always be yours.

Happy 16th, my love.

Yours,
Maine

—
LETTERS OF MEMORIES

October 25th, 2025

My Wife,

Thank you last night. Hindi man tayo nakalabas to celebrate October 24th, but you were able to prepare at home. Akala ko anong movie panonoorin natin ng mga bata, yun pala it's the Philippine Arena event, the very first time I get to see you up close and the very first time my hands felt your skin.

The emotional high I am feeling reminiscing that event is still here, even when we're at bed already and I looked at your beautiful face. I can't sleep, so, I decided to wrote you this letter instead.

Saan ba ako magsisimula, mahal? Siguro paulit ulit ko nalang sasambitin sa'yo na sobrang saya ko sa bawat paggising ko sa umaga at sa bawat pagtulog na mukha mo ang nakikita ko. Hindi mo alam gaano mo binigyan ng kabuluhan lahat ng meron ako ngayon. Ikaw at ang mga bata ang nagpapatibok ng puso ko sa bawat araw.