Everyone has their one true love, or yet to meet them.
Tatay Julio and Inay Leoning, are one another’s one true love.
This week they celebrated their 57th wedding anniversary. As I reflected on the way that they are with each other, I realized that they’re are very impatient with one another, they bicker and yell at each other, and just constantly annoyed with each other. Yet, Tatay always makes sure that Inay takes her medication on time. Inay always makes sure that Tatay has had his coffee and breakfast in the morning. Inay also has dementia. Tatay barely sleeps because he just gazes at her at night, and is upset with himself because he knows his wife is sick and he can’t do anything about it. Inay asks the same question countless times, and after each time she asks, Tatay raises his voice louder and louder.
As lent just ended and we reflected on the passion, Tatay is going through his own passion. He makes the sacrifice to take care of Inay and himself, out of his deep love for her. We make crazy sacrifices for the ones we love, especially our significant others.
I had a conversation with my coworker the other day, and she said that marriage back in the day is just not possible for people in this day in age. I told her she was wrong. People in this day in age are just spoiled. If they don’t get what they want, they whine and complain and give up so easily. Because they have either lost sight or never experienced the Cross. Because the Cross represents authentic love. If you are willing to go through the challenges with your future husband, and focus on your love for one another, then marriage back in the day should be no different than a marriage now.
Praise God for Tatay and Inay, and the sacrifices they make for one another. They have set an example on our family of authentic love.