They used to be just penpals.

He was from Manila, a working student. She came from the province (Isabela) and was a nursing student. A common friend showed them each other's pictures and suggested that they write each other. Eventually, mails were being sent and received by the two.

He'd go all the way to her province just to visit her at times. If not, when she'd just stay in her dorm in Manila, he'd visit her early in the morning (her friend would tease her that Chinese guys court early).

Her brothers-in-law and some of her siblings didn't like him that much. They'd ignore him during his visits. They were rooting for some other guy, the guy she went out months before she met him.

For 6 years, they went steady before finally deciding to settle down.

It was in 1980 when they got married. Had their first child a year and 2 days after that. Next year, on Christmas eve, they had their second baby.

These days, they're still living as happily as they were 29 years ago. They don't write each other anymore. They do text and talk on the phone twice or thrice a day ( i.e. mondays to saturdays - when they're not around each other).

Tomorrow, they will be celebrating their 24th year as husband and wife and 30th year together.

Tomorrow, March 24, is my dad and mom's anniversary.