'Aku sayang kamu~!"

13.11.2009 minus 13.11.1983 equals 26~!
26 years - that is how long LiL and I have been a couple, married, in partnership, and jointly parenting six children.

After twenty six years, I no longer hope for a surprising card hidden in my brief case, or a florist sending bouquet of roses to my office, and not even a present left on my car seat. No, not from my dearest wife, that is. If there must be anything at all, than perhaps a freshly baked banana cake - and that is more than capable of making me blissfully happy.
Gone are the days...when wedding anniversaries used to remind us to rejuvenate our relationship, to appreciate and cherish our marital bliss, and to utter words often left deep down in our hearts. Those three magical words, "I love you!" are no longer said with the same English language correctness. Most times, a simple variation in our voice says a lot more love than those three words! Often, a gentle squeeze of the hands, or a knowing glance across a crowded room speaks louder than what those three words can ever say. Having said that, since we both grew up in the era of Mills & Boons, we can't help but to sign off our days and start off our mornings with "Luv you!"
Accuse me of being a romantic fools, and I will stand up and say, "I am guilty as charged".

After twenty six years of marriage, my heart actually yearns for tokens of remembrance from my 'anak-anak' - that twenty six years ago, their 'Ayah' and their 'Mak' had taken a vow to live with each other, for better or for worse, and with that vow 'Ayah' and 'Mak' consummated their love and have been blessed with not one, or two, or three and not even four or five, but ALL SIX of them , all much beloved children.

After twenty six years, my eyes get misty not because my darling wife is too far away to greet me with a morning kiss on our anniversary, instead, my eyes become misty just by thinking ...what if, yes, what if none of my children even remember or care to wish their "Mak and Ayah" greetings of happy anniversary. No matter how vaguely painted or how faintly whispered, loving words from 'anak-anak' will always looks more beautiful than flowers and will always sound musical to parents' ears.

After twenty six years, 'Ayah and Mak' do not need symbolic gestures to say "I love you!" for the words get spoken with every move and every deed, and the words are at the forefront of every thought! What 'Mak and Ayah' need on their twenty-sixth anniversary is to see joy and optimism in the eyes of their 'anak-anak' - and a little expression of gratefulness to God , for giving their 'Ayah and Mak' good health! When 'anak-anak' pray for us, THAT is the best gift we can ever hope for~!

After twenty six years - 'Ayah' get teary eyed writing this short note in anticipation that his 'anak-anak' would remember to 'love' him even if it is only for a day - on his wedding anniversary day. Love has to be shown to be known, and love has to be whispered to be heard!

To my darling wife - my love for you can overcome the loneliest of nights, for you are with me even when I am stranded in the vastness of a desert without stars. Your love for me, need not be said in words, nor shown on a card, neither do you need to buy me any gift, for your presence in my life has been all of those - for each one of the last twenty six years! You are the only gift I ever wanted!
For our twenty sixth anniversary I do not write any love poems not because I could not find the right words to say, but simply because the best of words will not be able to describe our kind of love - which is only ours to understand and cherish! Our journey has taken us through roaring waves of different oceans, enchanting lights of a few cities, rustling sound of jungle leaves and hissing silence of deserts sand, and we both know the best is yet to come as we continue pacing down the slopes and alleys of rediscovering the meaning of true love - loving Him!

I opened my window tonight to send these words to the twinkling stars, knowing that no matter where you are, you are never too far!

"Happy anniversary darling! Aku sayang kamu~!"