Last Night is a Starry Night

Once upon a time, 18 years ago, the love of my life was born. It’s her eighteenth. It should be the one of
the happiest events of her life. In her 18 years of existence, she has understood that life could be full of
surprises. Eighteenth birthdays have been portrayed to be grand and a once in a lifetime event that all
girls will forever treasure. It is celebrated with grand cotillion, 18 th roses, 18th candles, 18th treasures and
so on.

Once upon a time, again, life could be full of surprises... it’s heartbreaking that this girl thought
something she has expected and what was promised will never happen for the reason that her debut is
amidst pandemic. Above all, she prioritize safety, wellfare, and practicality. That’s what I love about this
girl, she is independently dependent. She is balanced. She knows what she do want and do not. May be
this once happy-go-lucky girl before has been taught by COVID 19 patience, self-care and growth. And
now as the love of my life entered adulthood, she will aslo welcome new chapter of her life, a
lifechanging one. I have been so proud of her- be it her baby steps, her achievements, her mindset, her
potential, everything about her. I know, as she enters adulthood, a new beginning awaits for her for the
new chapter that she will cherish, learn, break, build, lose and create.

She has a wonderful, supportive and overprotective family. It is impossible for her to not celebrate at all
for she is so loved. As she prioritize safety and practicality, that is why she made three options on how
her legality will be celebrated, the last would be her best pick for it will be an eigtheenth birthday at
home with loved ones and limited visitors and that would be me and a few friends. She never expected
everything but the present of her few loved ones on her day. She has made a catchy digital invitation,
invite a few friends who were unsure due to situational matters, she’s hoping and praying they would
come. Because she has a supportive family and supportive boyfriend, I and her family made her cry. She
is away from her parents but they still manage to have some relatives, big sister, and me to plan and
organize about decorations, catering, a pool, and a set-up.

The theme is starry night. That day before sunset, I told her I could not come. Again, she has believed
and hoped life is full of suprises. It was a surprise, I have a boquet in my hand and the present in
another. The set-up celebration is a surprise and before it started, I was there, holding her hand with her
eyes blindfolded. I guided her to her to her throne as the 18 th roses have their messages and dances…

Once upon a time, it is one of the beautiful tragedy I have ever seen, for her, it was the best day of her
life… a starry night that would lasts forever in our hearts.