It's Valentine's Day today but my head's not there because tomorrow is Vince's birthday. All he wants is a video game. Again. I've been giving him video games for the last eight or so years and I'm really starting to think I'm a horrible gift giver. I've given Vince shirts, toys, shoes but nothing makes him as happy as the latest video game. So I'm giving him (surprise!) a PS3 game tomorrow.
Now when it comes to gifts, Vince is very very good. He gives me the best gifts! Special edition books, quirky stuff like my hot pink Christmas tree, roses as big as my fist, my diamond engagement ring... Then there are the poems and love letters! He's an A+ when it comes to gifts. But let me tell you about my favorite gift of all.
When Vince and I met, he was a talented writer from a rich family, lived in a posh gated neighborhood, drove his own car, had a lucrative advertising career. I was a nobody. His girlfriends were these beautiful women who were incredibly rich and glamorous. I was a nobody and I owned three pairs of shoes. His friends were jetsetters who talked about diving in Palau, shopping in Hong Kong, summers in Spain. I was a nobody who's never been anywhere. I honestly didn't know what he saw in me.
One afternoon, Vince and I were walking in a mall when I saw this beautiful red velvet bag. It was small and it was hand-beaded completely with shiny beads and sequins. I ran my hands over the bag and said, "This is so beautiful, Vince!"
"Buy it," he said.
I put the bag back on the shelf and sadly said, "It's too pretty for me," and I put it out of my mind because back then we were so poor that to be happy, we just didn't dwell on things we didn't, couldn't have.
A few days later, Vince gave me a package and in it... was the red velvet bag. He said, "Everyone deserves to have something pretty. And you're beautiful."
That pretty much changed my life. I used to think I should just be content with my lot, to not want and ask for more because I didn't deserve anything good and beautiful. But with that one bag, Vince showed me that I'm special, that I'm somebody after all and the world was mine to conquer. Everything--jobs, friends, life--was easy after that.
The bag is not the most expensive gift Vince gave me, not even the prettiest, or rarest, or most fabulous. But it's my favorite because it changed my life. Thanks, Vincent. Happy hearts day and happy happy birthday!
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You know, I've been called by my boyfriend a cheapskate once or twice. Why? Because I deprive myself of material indulgences. He always says to me that I've been working too hard and that I'm a wonderful person so I deserve a little splurging. I'm so tied up with saving and saving and saving, that I sometimes avoid the mall just to keep myself from seeing potential purchases. Frustrating as it is, I can't stop myself.
ReplyDeleteHappy Valentines! And happy birthday to your husband!
Frances, thank you for sharing that story. I agree with Vince, you are beautiful both inside and out. =) Happy Vday (to you both) and Bday (to Vince)!
ReplyDeletelacking in words in general right now but wanted to say I hope you and hubby have a fab weekend x
ReplyDeleteAng ganda, ganda, ganda mo magsulat. at ang dami mong nababahaging life-changing na karanasan na kung tutuusin ay napaka simple lang para i-blog pa.
ReplyDeleteEvery time I read a topaz horizon post, I know that there's a part of my life in between those words. There's no post on your page that hasn't moved me. Funny, I feel more at home here than on my own blogspot.
Aww... I love your Vince-related posts. You two are so cute together! :)
ReplyDeleteHappy Valentine's Day to you both! :)
This is a lovely story, F! Happy hearts' Day!
ReplyDeleteAwwww this was such a sweet Vday post :) Sending love to you two lovebirds (& baby!)
ReplyDeleteThat's a sweet story, Frances :)
ReplyDeleteThe red velvet bag sounds awesome!
Wishing your husband a very happy birthday!
what a beautiful story.
ReplyDeleteHappy birthday to Vince!
ReplyDeleteAnd I think you deserve the best of everything, Frances! :) Belated happy valentine's day to you and your hubby!
Awww. that is soo sweet. I hope I would meet someone as wonderful as your hubby. :)
ReplyDeleteAnyhoo, were all special and we should always know our worth. If there's anything I learned the past year, its appreciating even the little things in myself and what I can do to make this world special. :) Belated Happy Valentine's Day Miss Frances, Happy Chinese New Year and Happy Birthday to your husband! :)
Sweet naman ng hubby mo. I'm a better gift giver than my husband. But he does buy what I want. That is, after I give him a hint. :) Belated happy valentine's day to you and your husband. :)
ReplyDeletethat sure is a touching story. thanks for sharing that memory of yours. truly inspiring too.
ReplyDeletei love love your heart story! i wish, ill meet my own "vince" sooner! haha
ReplyDeleteAwww... Vinz is such a sweetie. You're both lucky to have each other, and little jelly bean is lucky to have you both as his/her parents :D
ReplyDeleteOh Frances, you're ruining every other man for us! Vince is the total prince!
ReplyDeleteYou and Vince are one of the bestest couples ever!!!! I miss you Frances!!!
ReplyDeleteI love your love story talaga! Sweet ni Vince! :) Hope you're feeling well!
ReplyDeleteawwwww... so sweet!
ReplyDelete