EVERYDAY KIND OF LOVE

EVERYDAY KIND OF LOVE
by Celine Dabao

In movies, shows, books, and songs, we see love as something that happens to us instead of something that we nurture everyday. What we learn from these things is that we can fall in and out of love quickly. But growing up has made me realize that I don’t have to look much further than my own home to see what genuine love is. Because after nearly 22 years together, my parents have continued to show us that real love has to be nurtured and cherished everyday in order for it to flourish. 
 

In movies, shows, books, and songs, we see love as something that happens to us instead of something that we nurture everyday.

There is a beautiful poem called "Every Day" by Serge Gabriel that has always reminded me of them. He talks about how when someone asks him what the most romantic gift you can give another person is, his response is ‘every day.’ It is not a glamorous, groundbreaking answer. It highlights the hard work and struggles that we will all inevitably face in our relationships. But when two people stick together through both the difficulties and the mundane moments, like my parents continue to do, they will eventually see the fruits of their labor come to life in the lives and vocations of their children. 

What's the most romantic thing you can give to one person? It's everyday. (Serge Gabriel)

When the pandemic started, everyone had difficulty adjusting to spending all waking hours together. But my parents chose to see this as an opportunity to strengthen their relationship with each other and with God. They spend a lot of time praying with us, having long discussions on what is happening in the Church today, and they always make it a point to bond over watching movies together. They find the small moments in their hectic schedules to enjoy each other’s presence. There is nothing extravagant about these things, but their love is made all the more meaningful for being built upon the collection of these tiny, lovely moments. 

[Christ] envelops us in the greatest and most fulfilling example of sacrificial love ever.

The sacrificial love that Christ has for His church, the one that is mirrored in the loving relationships I see in all RC couples, is one that requires a lot of  dedication and sacrifice. But Christ leads by example and He does not shy away from the hard work. Instead, He wholeheartedly embraces it. We are all imperfect, but He envelops us in the greatest and most fulfilling example of sacrificial love ever. It is this magnificent love that I am privileged enough to see in my parents, and that I hope to experience one day. I know that I will not let myself--or my siblings--settle for anything less than this everyday kind of love.
 

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Celine Dabao graduated from Everest Academy Manila in 2018 and is currently studying in De La Salle University. She aims to be a high school English teacher after she graduates.