They say home is where the heart is. For me, home is wherever she is.
Moving to the Philippines was a big decision. Leaving behind everything familiar, starting fresh in a country thousands of miles from where I grew up. But I never had a single doubt, because she was right there beside me, every step of the way.
She Made the Philippines Feel Like Home
When we first arrived, everything was new. The heat, the food, the language, the way people smiled at strangers like they were old friends. I was overwhelmed. But she just laughed, grabbed my hand, and said, “We’ll figure it out together.”
And we did.
She taught me how to eat with my hands (and not make a mess). She introduced me to her family, who welcomed me like I’d always been part of their lives. She showed me hidden beaches that no tourist guide ever mentions, waterfalls tucked away in the mountains, and the best street food spots that only locals know about.
The Little Things
It’s not the grand gestures that make me love her more every day. It’s the little things.
The way she wakes up early to make coffee before I even open my eyes. How she always knows when I’m homesick and quietly puts on my favorite music. The way she bargains at the palengke (market) like a champion and then turns to me with that proud smile.
She is my translator, my tour guide, my best friend, and the love of my life.
To My Wife
Thank you for choosing me. Thank you for bringing me to this beautiful country and showing me a life I never knew I wanted. Thank you for your patience when I butcher Tagalog, for your laughter that fills our home, and for your love that makes everything worthwhile.
The Philippines gave me paradise. But you, my love, gave me a reason to stay.
I love you. Today, tomorrow, and every day after that. 🌺
To everyone reading this: if you’ve found someone who makes a foreign land feel like home, hold on tight. That’s the real treasure of living abroad.
