how i learned to see love differently
a different kind of love
Happy Valentine’s Day! Or shall I say, Single Awareness Day? Lol. But this year, the latter doesn’t sting as much–it actually feels different and in the best way.
For the first time, I feel truly full–not because of a relationship, but because of the love I’ve found within myself and all around me. Love has shown up in ways I never expected, and this past year has been a reminder that it isn’t just about romance. It’s in the way we grow, the way we give, and the way we see it in everyday life.
learning to love myself first
All the growth in 2024 has made me love myself so deeply that I no longer feel like I’m waiting or chasing for someone to choose me. For someone like me–who’s had tons of crushes and learned a lot of lessons in dating–that’s huge. I won’t deny that there’s still a longing for a partner to share adventures with, but now, it comes from a place of patience and trust in the timing of it all.
Coming home has been a powerful reminder of this. I’ve realized that love isn’t just a feeling–it’s something we nurture, something that grows alongside us. The more I’ve given myself grace, the more love I’ve been able to share with others, especially my mom. Our relationship hasn’t always been easy, but love isn’t about perfection–it’s about choosing to stay, even through the fights and trusting that it’s all part of the process.
the love that quietly shaped me
Last week, I got to meet with my dad’s cousin, who told me stories about him–how when my dad would come home from overseas when I was younger, he would take me to higher end stores to get me what I needed, how he brought me to hospitals in Manila instead of the province, and how he threw me grand birthday parties.
There are so many times in the busyness of life that I forget to think of him, and when I do, I feel guilty. But then I remember–he is always with me. Because love never really leaves. The kind of love he gave me was humble, kind, consistent, and secure. He always gave me the best, not just in things, but in the quiet, unwavering way he supported me— maybe not as quiet, actually, since he always called me “champ” or “champion”.
No one in the world understands me more than my dad. The weight of his love has given me such a beautiful life, and in many ways, it has made me a beautiful person. When I think about kindness, creativity, and a lighthearted approach to life–I think of him. And I think of how his love still lives within me, shaping the way I see myself and the world.
seeing love in the ordinary
Being around family has reminded me of something simple but profound: love isn’t just something you say–it’s something you see in the smallest moments.
The distance has definitely been a big disconnect, but hearing their voices, sharing meals, and just being in their presence has awakened something within me. Seeing how people in the Philippines live–how they find happiness without needing all the material things, how love exists in shared meals, in laughter, in showing up for each other–has made me realize that love has always been here.
I see it in my mom’s small gestures, in the way she still takes care of me. I see it in the warmth of family gatherings. I see it in the way I’ve been able to hold myself through all the changes in my life.
love is here, always
I used to think love had to look a certain way–something grand, something external, something to chase. But now, I see it everywhere. In the way my dad’s love shaped me, in the way I’ve learned to love myself, and in the way my family reminds me that love isn’t just a feeling.
It’s in the ordinary. It’s in the quiet. It’s in the simple moments we sometimes overlook.
And for the first time, my heart feels full. Not because of someone else, but because I’ve finally learned how to see love in all its forms.
for your journey
Love is always here. Sometimes it’s just waiting for us to notice it. Take a moment to reflect:
Where do you see love in your everyday life?
What kind of love has shaped you–through people, experiences, or even yourself?
How can you embrace the love that already exists around you, rather than searching for it elsewhere?
May you find love in the ordinary, in the quiet, in the smallest moments that make life full.
