Dear Mitor,

Thanks to Paypal alerts and auto-renew, I remembered that three years ago, I bought this domain so I can write people random letters on a whim. But life happened and I never actually found the time to sit down and write, so now let’s try this again.

So, that was quite a ride, huh? It’s funny how we’re actually just chilling right now, because we’ve been hustlin’ and running around like headless chickens since the year started that having this actual break from it all feels like a dream. January was all about survival for the most part: it started with me being 9 months pregnant, and the yayas left without warning, leaving us with a messy house, exhausted from all the holiday festivities, with a lot on our plates. From planning our daughter’s fifth birthday (her last one as the only child), prepping the other room (that we turned into a bodega) to make it livable for your mom, screening applicants to replace our longtime employee who resigned, hiring and training a new family driver to take over my school bus duties for Kelly, to keeping my health and sanity in check before the delivery date–it was quite fascinating how we managed to survive that month. And boy, who would’ve thought it was just a preview of what’s to come?

January 21st came and we officially became a family of four. Taking care of a newborn without help (salute to all families without yayas!) alongside a business that needs our 100% attention has been really really tough. We barely slept, well you, for the most part, because you’ve always been like that anyway; that even in your dreams you’re actually sleep-talking to some client. I wish I was kidding, but no. Someday, I’ll be fast enough to be able to record it.

Atom’s so precious, isn’t he? We’ve always wanted a baby boy and I’m so happy God granted us this wish. But boy oh boy, he’s such a boy! So takaw, so clingy, so demanding! I don’t know if we ever got this tired when Kelly was a newborn or maybe it’s because we really aged in five years (LOL) that taking care of a new baby at this point in our lives has been an extra challenge. Nevertheless, it is worth it.

March 7 2020 was the last time we ever got together with our families. It was Atom’s baptism and had we known that things will be very different onwards, we could’ve thrown the biggest baptism party in the world. HA! Riiiight. Introvert me is shaking. LOL

But man, I wish we could’ve extended more hours on that restaurant or an afterparty, you know? Wishful thinking.

Looking back at how the lockdown has totally changed our lives, I can’t help but breathe a sigh of relief that we are still alive. As long as we are breathing, there is hope. As long as there is hope, a better future awaits. I’m just glad that I have you to hold on to as we navigate this crazy/beautiful life we built for ourselves.

Love you always,

Kabbie