Writing About Love Tonight

Lots of stuff about love popping up on my twitter and Facebook news feed lately.

My senses were probably heightened like a google search on the love topic when a writer sent some questions for an interview about me and my boyfriend being creative collaborators. We’ve never been really asked that, but always felt like a duo ever since we got together 8 years ago. It came as a nice surprise and I’m thankful someone saw us that way, even when for a minute, we forgot how we felt about our own creative chemistry.

A question was asked on how being creative can benefit a relationship. I think I answered that creativity helps you solve the plateaus that fill the landscapes of long term relationships. Creativity in a way that is not exclusive to those who have to be “creative” to earn a living, but what is present in all of us who are constantly finding a solution to move things forward, to jumpstart something, to light that fire again.

People wonder how we’ve managed to stay this long together. There have been impassioned fights in contrast to boring afternoons; but we also have impromptu flights out of our comfort zones and days where we could not stop talking about things that excite us. I realized that a relationship’s strength is only equal to the courage of the individuals who maintain it. After a big argument, we kick pride out of the way to say sorry before we go to bed. When someone does something wonderful, we are very generous with our praises. You cannot help but be the best cheerleader in the room.

Dan and I have changed so much since we were in our early 20s, and man, we’ve got a lot of stuff learned along the way. Here are a few things though that come to mind: the ability to make your partner laugh (very important!), kindness, gratitude, and fearlessness to go for your dreams (a big turn on and inspiration to your lovey).

There have been a few times when that EXIT sign flashed before our eyes but there was always something that held us together. It seemed so much harder to quit, and it always felt like such a stupid idea anyway. I mean, what were we thinking?! I love hanging out with this person. Everyday.

Having worked together in a design company for almost five years, I love that when I go to the office he’s the person who opens the door for me to give me a hug and a kiss. I enjoy crafting words that make his images sing.

Here’s a trick that I learned from a friend: when things aren’t working out for both of you (or you feel it’s just you who’s caught in a drama), always remember the beginning. Why’d you get together in the first place? How was the feeling like? Always remember the beginning.

Eight years ago, Dan and I had our first conversation alone at the backseat of a taxi bound for Shell Canvass Kamias. We had just dropped someone off at a store in Katipunan and we were on our way to buy something from Shell Canvass for an event at the college. At the backseat of the taxi, we talked about our interests and stuff we wanted to pursue after college. I remember noticing the soft afternoon light streaming from the back window stopping to rest on the nape of his neck. (He has lovely soft curls.) That afternoon, I was enjoying myself wrapped up in a wonderful conversation with a very interesting boy.

Up until today, the fascination never ends.

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