29

When I was very young, I didn't have many friends because I always kept to my books and my toys. I didn't like going outside to play and my strict grandpa didn't want too many noisy and rowdy kids in the house so I wasn't allowed to have over more than three playmates at a time. I didn't mind because I preferred reading and playing by myself anyway, constructing elaborate story lines for my Barbie dolls and cooking up a storm at my play kitchen. I was happier that way so I never felt like I missed out on anything.

I had friends in grade school but I didn't really "connect" with them. I shuttled back and forth between different cliques and never felt like I belonged anywhere, resulting to a few misunderstandings and elementary-level rifts. I actually became best friends with Jerome during this time! (The full story of how this came to be actually inspired Nate and Tanya's story.)

I only started to feel like I really belonged in a barkada when I was in high school already. Now I don't know what exactly I did right, but from that moment it suddenly felt like I was the Queen of Making Friends.

Life is but a series of hellos and goodbyes, and along the way I have been blessed with a lot of friends from different aspects of my life. I have friends from school, from my old and new job, from the blogging community, from different places I've been to, online-turned-IRL friends I wouldn't have crossed paths with otherwise, and friends of friends I became good friends with also. Different circumstances, different sets of friends, but everyone's special to me nonetheless.

Heh, such a long introduction for a post where I just meant to show you how my friends made me feel special on my 29th birthday. (ღ˘⌣˘ღ) 

My best friend Jerome, after learning that I intend to just stay at home the whole day, asked me out for dinner. We - together with his girlfriend Dale, twin brother Jonas and girlfriend Trisha, and friends Raymond and Gino - went to a Chinese restaurant in Malabon and ate until we felt our stomachs would burst.

Suddenly, I felt a tap on my shoulder. When I turned around, it was my Breakfast Clubmates, there to surprise me!

What a wonderful feeling, being surrounded by friends who love you. (ღ˘⌣˘ღ)

I also wanted to post here Ed's photo-collage that shows the evolution of our hairstyles, weight, and my eye shadow-blending skills.

I'm a terrible friend I almost forgot. And you're just amazing instead of being mad, you simply reminded me. Hehe. Nasabi ko na ata lahat sa'yo. Bata pa lang tayo sa ampunan di na tayo mapaghiwalay. Nabaliw na? Lol. Browsing through our photos through the years brought back so many beautiful memories. Hindi ako sure pero parang may pagluhang naganap. Haha. We've always found a way to stay connected. And in my often boring, lifeless days, when feeling alone is default, it's a relief to know I have you. Ever constant. Ever there. Happy birthday dearest Krissy! Love you always.

Heartfelt messages are the best.

And today, when I walked into my office cubicle, I saw this:

A Batman birthday banner prepared by my friend/ Breakfast Clubmate Chum. I am so touched!

I seriously don't know what I did to deserve such great friends, but I no longer want to question the Universe!

And just because there's a How I Met Your Mother quote suitable for all kinds of sitch:

And that's how it goes, kids. The friends, neighbors, drinking buddies, and partners-in-crime you loved so much when you're young - as the years go by, you just lose touch. You will be shocked, kids, when you discover how easy it is to part ways with people forever. That's why when you find someone you want to keep around, you do something about it.

I have lost a few friends along the way but I'd like to think it's all for the better, because now I am secure in the knowledge that everyone who have stayed are true. I no longer have the energy for fake and forced friendships, for I'd rather put in more effort in showing my true friends how much I cherish and love each one of them. To friendship, to love, to conversations, to memories, to laughter, to tears, to surprises, to dreams, to more stories, to POSSIBILITIES. Cheers to 29!