02/05/2026
Happy Birthday, my Ai Baiee! ♥️👼♥️ Thank you for choosing me to be your Mama. I used to draw your face when I was younger and when you were born, you looked exactly like my drawing.
The doctors said you would be born on May 21. But on May 1, you started to make your presence felt. Ayaw tuloy maniwala ni Loly. Sabi nya, nakiki Labor Day lang daw ako. You were born on the morning of May 2, the most beautiful baby in the nursery. When I was ready to take you home, the nurses at the nursery said, “Ay uuwi na yung magandang baby!”
The next day, I realized I didn’t know how to bathe you. Nor did I know how to anything mother. Panic gripped me. I called your Ninong Pao, crying. “I don’t know how to give her a bath!” He sent Nanay Pacing who balanced you effortlessly from hand to hand, her thumb and forefinger securing your ears while you cooed, happy and content. That feeling of not knowing what to do, stayed with me for many years. Until the day we were in front of the principal and I heard her saying what your “proper life choices” should be. To this day I don’t know how I found the courage to say, “Her life, her choices. I will make sure we play by your rules. But you will not dictate on her choices. Neither will I.” Wampoint for motherhood.
In college, you must’ve decided you were going to be a rebel. Haha, kinarma ako! And whenever I would be angry at you, you never answered back. Just stared at me with eyes like daggers. I remember thinking, “Hala paano na?!” But at the same time, I was thinking— “Ay, matapang! Very good!”
And just like that, here we are. You, celebrating your 38th year. Me, wanting to gather even the smallest of memories while I still can. Take your time on the things that matter, Baby Girl. Never let fear dictate your choices. Allow yourself to be loved. The world is safe now, because you have made it so.
I want you to know I am SO PROUD OF YOU, not only during your wins but especially when you are uncertain and afraid and then you come from the heart and make the best choices. I am proudest of you then.
Thank you for choosing me to be your Mama. I hope you choose me in the next life and always. I love you. ♥️ 👼♥️