Do you remember when we went full on WWE SmackDown at our grandparents’ living room in the farm while the adults were in the kitchen discussing adult things? I think I might have been 19 at the time and you were nine. I should have known better than to fight with a child but, meh, I was just a teenager. I honestly do not remember what we were fighting about but it pretty much summed up what our relationship was like growing up. You and I were the ultimate frenemies. Always bickering, always pulling each other’s hair when no one was looking. I’m so glad we’re past that phase because well, we’re adults now. Supposedly.
I do not recall when you stopped being the fat kid who ran amok when food was nowhere to be found and turned into a fine class of a young lady.
I love you either way but I’m so proud of the kind of person you have become. I see so much of myself in you and more. You are smart, independent, beautiful, funny and most of all kind. You are a sweet daughter to your parents, supportive sister to your siblings and a great friend to your peers. You are the epitome of “chill” which is why, if you haven’t noticed, I talk to you when I feel a bit anxious myself because you have a way of seeing the lighter side of any situation. I guess being a middle child helped shape you that way. Case in point: “Traysikol ka lang to Dol. Waay mahatod.” HAHAHA
I wish I can stop the clock from turning because each time you turn a year older, it means I do too and I’m finding it harder to keep up with your generation’s ever evolving jargons. E.g. Lo-fi music. Whatever the fuck is that. But in hindsight, I’m also happy you are so tech savvy because if and when this little project of mine takes off, you get to be my social media manager. 😀
Happy birthday dearest Sophia Isabel! Je t’aime! Keep hustling for your dreams and I will dream with you and support you all the way.
P.S. Let’s start drawing our backpacking plans now.