May 29, 2021

mahal ko,

on this day last year,

I was in America,

not knowing when I’d be

in your arms again

when the borders stayed

closed, we both

cried

+ I began making

a home in

your heart

as you further opened

your heart to me, I found

a wave of love overflowing,

sinking

deep

into

my

soul

filling

in the cracks

of where I had

broken

giving me

the strength

to stand

there on

my own

over our year

apart

I filled

each room

in your heart

with fond memories

of us + looked

at them each day

like the time

we prayed

together

on our first date--

the Manila city lights like shimmering

stars

spilled

from the night sky

as I listened to you talk

to God in your mother tongue

from Tagaytay

up above

+ finally, 3 months ago

I came back

to your dreamy island country,

by the grace of God

+ it’s by the grace of God

that I will walk

before you now,

as your bride,

with arms + heart wide

open, + it will be for good

I’ve been making

a home in your heart,

mahal ko, + I’m ready to cross

the threshold, + come

home

to you

I’m coming

home

for good

---

Tagalog Words:

*mahal ko = My love

*This poem was written for my fiancé as a gift before I walked down the aisle to be his wife on our wedding day: May 29, 2021*