I went to bed earlier than usual on a Sunday night with the idea of getting a full-night sleep. I really want to start the week right.

Julian woke up at 2:00 am and couldn’t fall back asleep.

He finally went back to sleep at 2:55 am, but now I’m the one who can’t sleep.

It’s Monday, and my eldest has a morning class. I have to wake up at 6:40 am to drive him to school.

The situation sounds horrible, but I actually don’t mind it. I see it as part of the full parenting experience to have this struggle. Though, I could not deny I’m struggling.

Despite the situation, I still have a lot of things I’m grateful for.

For the help we receive in preparing Joshua for his class. All I have to do is to drive.

For Joshua gently waking me up by kissing me, then whispering “Dad, wake up I’m going to be late na” when I could not get up by myself.

For Johan, who’s already awake and wants to join the school run just to spend time with me since I’m not the one who usually takes him. He says “I want to go with you.”

Those are worth all the sleep interruptions.

My son had a haircut. It did not went well. Pumipiglas siya the whole time. Julie was so bothered how it turned out that she considered hiring a barber to teach her how to cut men’s hair. The idea was that it would be better for our son since the haircut would be done at home, where he’d be more comfortable, and she could take as much time as needed.

And she did.

That’s the kind of wife I have.

This is just one example. She approaches everything with the same attitude. They say you tend to adopt some traits from your partner, and I can definitely say that her proactiveness is something I’ve picked up from her. It’s this same proactive mindset that has pushed me to where I am now in my career.

It’s always been in my head, but never put it into words: What we have, where we are can’t be attributed to me alone. It’s all because we’re together, both always giving.

10 years together, 7 years married. All I can say is that it’s an honor to love you.