death by a thousand cuts (lenrisa)

pockets of freedom and bagfuls of peace

Content: fluff, domestic!, sto. tomas-navarros

i.

Summer has been nothing but fulfilling for the likes of us, a family of nine who thrives being kissed by the sun and wading through the salty waters.

It's the fifth of the month, and just like every fifth, today's pool date at home consists of Therese's favourites—of course—courtesy by me and our children who have been nothing but lovely to us, not including all the teasing that they've done as we prepared for this; but as always, the preparation was a blast. I couldn't be happier to have to be able to share moments as such with my children (which includes Therese's kinships, of course).

As per usual, Therese didn't expect anything for today, even when we have been doing this since the dawn of day. Still, I could feel my already bright day becoming brighter because today, just like all days, reminded me of how I've made the right choice the moment I told her that I was in love with her and that I would marry her in a heartbeat, which I did.

And I would a hundred times over.

For my gift—which Therese often complains about how unnecessary and needless it is—a recycled shoebox, which I know would add to her buoy when she sees it, was filled with rolls of different films and a Canon AE-1.

"Oh.. my!" Therese's mouth agape upon seeing the contents of the box. "Love!!!!!!" My wife comes rushing to me as I'm showered with heaps of kisses on the face and a hug tighter than any hug she has given me over the years. My happiness in a nutshell.

Therese was stoked to once again use a film camera. She kept saying how technology has destroyed our ability to make memories and cherish the moments we were in.

"Alam mo, Love, I dislike the ones where the photo or video just lasts for 24 hours," there's nothing more that I enjoy more than her candid thoughts about things. Honestly, I live for the moments where she just keeps on spouting her thoughts.

"They're really not my cup of tea. What's the point of posting something that won't linger forever?"

"It's how it is, nowadays. It lasts naman, Reese, just in the archives ata." she gave me an inauspicious look, judging whether I was adjudicating against her point or I was trying to yield to her protest.

"It does stay in the archives, Ma." Isabel reassured her Mama and then looked at me clandestinely. She gave me a giggle and I did, too.

I love Sundays with my family.

Just like a child who was handed an ice lolly, Therese was dancing giddily as she tried and remembered how film cameras work. I am feeling things, happy creatures in my stomach going wild and beyond.

They say the butterflies do go away as time passes by, but I think when you're with your one true love, it's recurrent. That's why I know I love her—everything that passes by with others, remains when it comes to her, my one true love.

"Ian, anak, smile!" her usual stance whenever she takes pictures appeared such a comical relief to the family, our children and I living vicariously through her.

"Sa, ang cute mo! Nanay na nanay ka naman dyan!" I bellowed.

"Aba, siyempre! Look how beautiful my Ian Love is!" she's taking more pictures of Ian, eto namang Ian, pose ng pose. I love how natural everything is with Therese and our families— family.

"Ate Isabel, come here!" Ian gestures to Isabel.
"O ayan! Smile, my Isabel love and Ian love!"
"Lah! Sama ako, Ma!" Jessica interrupted, "Huh! Ako rin, Ma!" Janine joined the chaos and everyone kept laughing as they gathered for a photo op of some sort.