Everything is all set. Preparations have been completed, clothes are already packed, and the itinerary has been planned. Jordan and I will be going on a week-end vacation in the Bahamas. I can see it clearly now, the cruise ship, the exotic food, and that romantic moonlight dinner in the ship. I can’t be more excited than ever.

Finally, the day I’ve been waiting for has arrived. We’re here at the pier, boarding the Luxury Line Kathrina. What a majestic cruise ship! No wonder it’s called the pearl of the Atlantic. It literally is one shimmering pearl in the blue ocean. Everything is just so lovely. The crew has been hospitable ever since we first stepped foot on the ship. The food has been great! The view of the ocean is so lovely. What makes it more romantic is the fact that I am sharing this memorable day with my husband, Jordan.

Jordan’s the only family I have. Since we have no kids, and that our parents both passed away already, we just have each other. I’ve known Jordan for quite a long time, and have been married with him for over 30 years now. Never has a day been dull with him around, and that I am rediscovering today in this cruise ship to the Bahamas.

We can call this our second honeymoon. Well, actually our first. When we got married 34 years ago, we didn’t have the money to go on a honeymoon. There was no time, no money, just our ragtag clothes, and our rings. But, hey, that was before, and now, we can enjoy the cruise together. We’re like a newly wed couple, enjoying the freedom, enjoying the life. Why shouldn’t we? I mean, we are married, you know. This will definitely be on of those trips that will surely be remembered, even as we grow older.

Streets are getting busier, people walking the alleys fewer. Ahh, the signs that the holidays are almost over looms before me once again. The end of the holidays means the end of my week-long break and the start of my work again. More over, the end of the holidays is also the start of a new life, filled with more vigor, with more passion, and more drive to work, and live each day.

Every time the holidays are about to end, I always remember that first Holiday Break Jordan and I spent together. It was our first married year together. It was hard, yes, but it was the time that we tested ourselves, the time we knew we were never going to give up on each other.

I wasn’t the self-proclaimed super nanny at that time yet. Aside from my career as a nanny, I was taking on odd jobs, just to get us by. Jordan was doing his fair share of the work as well. We took on every available job offered to us. We knew marriage and starting a family was never easy, but we didn’t think it was that hard.

One Christmas evening, as Jordan and I are about to sleep after an exhausting day at work (yes, we had to work on Christmas Day), I slowly wept and cried on Jordan’s shoulders. He asked me why, and I told him that I wanted to give up, that I couldn’t live like this any longer.

There, I knew that I didn’t make a mistake when I exchanged vows to Jordan. He hugged me, and just whispered to me ‘We’ll get through this. We’ll work this out. As long as I live, I promise you, I will never ever let you, nor any of our children, grow hungry. That is a promise.’

Those words I kept in my heart. And as the holidays are about to end, I know that my dear Jordan has kept his promise to me.

I’ve always wanted that rubber shoe for Christmas. Jordan and I have already made our wish lists, and that sure is my number one. Ever since I set my eyes on that shoe last September, I knew, and I felt, that that shoe will be mine.

It’s a simple mid-cut rubber shoe, with a color line of powder blue and white. It’s a rubber shoe designed for running, and trekking, which I do believe will work best for me, too. Running and chasing children is much similar to running. Climbing up the mountains of toys, and pile of clothes the children messed up is much like trekking, too. I want that shoe, I need that shoe. I will get that shoe for Christmas.

I never had such affinity for an object I have no ownership yet. This is the first time that I really wanted something so badly. I tried out fitting the shoe last week, and I felt like I was Cinderella fitting the glass slipper. I saw Jordan, his eyes hiding under his cheeks, brightly smiling at me. ‘You really want that do you, honey?’ He asked. I couldn’t help but say yes, and gave him a nod, much like a child who wants candy so bad.

Whenever we’re buying groceries, or just plain window shopping, I’d always ask Jordan to walk with me to the shoe salon, so I can take a look at the shoe. Week in, week out, it sits there, waiting for me to buy the pair.

Last week, though, when I asked Jordan to accompany me to the shoe store, I felt something wrong. I did not see the pair of shoes I’ve been eyeing for almost two months already. Someone has robbed me of my hope this Christmas.

Being the nosy woman I’ve always been, I asked one of the sales persons there. Someone has bought the pair already, and had it wrapped in a Christmas wrapper. Hmmm, I get the idea. I’m not really hoping, but I believe I know who bought that pair. And I have thirty days left to find out.

It’s October 11th, midnight. I am still at a loss on what to do for my husband’s birthday tomorrow. He’s sleeping soundly in the bed. Watching him, I realize everything that we have gone through. The years we have spent together, every problem we’ve faced, everything. I see the lines and wrinkles in his face, and I see in them the times we’ve argued over a bunch of things, and the times we laughed on them, too. Jordan, you really are quite the man that got my heart. And now, you’re turning 56.

Time sure does fly by fast. I remember when I prepared your 35th birthday. It was in this same house, and on that same table. There was your favorite Beef Casserole, and the ice cold beer for you and your buddies. Who could forget the Pasta Mr. Stevens brought in.

I wonder what I’d be doing next. I wonder what that big surprise will be for your 56th birthday. Will it be something new, perhaps? Or will we simply remake your previous celebrations? Or will we just go out and have a quiet, little dinner in a fancy restaurant somewhere, like old people should?

Aha, you told me once that you never had any celebrations for your birthday when you were a child. That gives me an idea, Jordan. I’ll give you one heck of a party you’ll never forget! I’ll be waking up early this morning, just in time to get you the party needs we’ll need.

I’ll put in balloons, lots of balloons. I can have a cake ordered this morning, just in time for the afternoon party. Unfortunately, I won’t be able to get in clowns, but next door neighbor Ernie is a good magician, I’ll talk to him later as well. I’ve already pre-reserved food accommodations for your birthday, I’ll just be confirming it. Hmm, I guess we’re all set. My, oh my, I am so excited! Oh, let’s not forget the piñata!