A Warm Father's Day

Article 036.

Thanks to the 15-hour time difference and my racial roots hailing from Metro Manila, my Father's Day already started the eve of. I started greeting a select few noteworthy fathers on the most important day of the year (yah right!). Of course I had to chat with my old man who asked what I am giving him that special day. He loves to mess around with me so I had to get him back. "You know Dad, I'm giving you the usual, but remember that it's always overflowing with love from your one and only boy! There's no price to that!" But not to be outdone, Dad replies, "I already know you love me and that I'm already overwhelmed with your love. Why don't you just give me extra cash for a change so I can truly feel your love?" I was busting up. I could not outwit Dad in these type of exchanges. He always has a comeback.

I didn't expect the day to be anything special. Father's Day is usually a day when Dads get to do whatever the hell they want (not really) without getting ridiculed or nagged on for 24 hours. Traditionally, my boys would treat me out for a meal, hand me a gift and just hang with their old man for the entire day. Nothing fancy and I'm fine with it. I'm not overly sentimental about it too if nothing really happens that day. My expectation is very low. Just a greeting is fine. A text would even suffice. That's it. Not expecting a Ferrari Portofino M dressed by Novitec at all. C’mon, that be too much (wink). This year's Father's Day is not anything different, but it turned out to be the most memorable for me so far.

It starts out early. Back-to-back basketball games in the morning-- 1 win, 1 loss and an aching body (mark that as two losses then). The first of those two games is a Championship Game where I am pitted against my best friend Howard's wife's cousin. So the day before, they told me they were contemplating on the idea of watching my game. But knowing Jen, I knew there's a 90% chance that it would not push through. However, something in the miracle air happened and I got a text from Howard in the morning that they were indeed coming. I appreciate them staying for what is a terrible two-hours of lousy basketball watching. What are best friends for, right? 

Game on!!!

We immediately take off for lunch. I’m still huffin’ and puffin’ but they have been sitting their asses for quite a bit already so no time to slack. Jen was on a different mood, a jovial one. Traces of her being a stress source was still there but for the most part, she was jolly. While we wait for a table to get seated at a popular restaurant (a whopping hour and a half wait), Jen roamed the plaza since the idea of her waiting outside a hot summer-y afternoon was not happening. Weather was perfect if you ask me. She ended up finding a boba place and treated me with a Banana smoothie (consider this my appetizer, I’m famished). How nice of her! Then we had to sprint back (they did, I was hobbling) since she got the text message that our table is ready. I had to behave myself and refrain from ordering any artery-clogging dishes, what with the recent episode of my excruciating acid-reflux leading me to another bank-breaking trip to the ED. But at the end of it, I was stuffed. And the best part of it, Jen said it was her treat to her husband and I for Dad’s Day. Awwww! She really trying to win me over haha! Appreciated the gesture! The only thing I can think of to dessert this out was ice on my right shoulder and lower back, and me lying on the couch for some really warranted siesta. Wish granted.

Father’s Day Lunch Treat by Jen :)

I was knocked out. I missed several text greetings and messages including my kids whose meeting me up for dinner to cap off what already turned out to be a great half of my day. I was still full from late lunch and could definitely survive passing up on dinner if I had my way. But come to think of it, I could have my way! So in lieu of potentially a night of KBBQ, I asked my boys if I could have a full body massage instead. You think they would say no to this?? And what an awesome idea it was! The body was pampered, Daddy was pampered. After which, they craved for popcorn chicken and some milk tea. Cha2O was the spot. My dose of potassium doubled up today as I ended up having another Banana smoothie (actually it’s the only non-acidic fruit option there is). The two young adults snorted the chicken pieces and fries. Gone in 60 seconds. We all full to our bellies. As what had become an expected tradition after eating, we stand up outside where the car is parked and chill for a bit. Usually the older son would throw in some "conspiracy theory" stories which we would have discussions about. The younger one will talk about his career and love life. Takes us an hour sometimes even more which is good practice standing up after every meal. Nothing big but the bonding time is sure heart-warming.

Waiting for the Boba drink!

The best part of this day was nothing superficial. The gift my boys handed out to me today was a book, a well thought-out gift. It's one of those "I Want To Know You Better" books where you write down your life over pre-populated questions. The card that came along with the book is what made me teary-eyed. The personal handwritten note from both of them is what I truly loved and will always cherish. It's personal and most often underestimated and neglected, surpassed by the thought that a gift that's grand is the better gift. Don't get me wrong though, the Ferrari Portofino M would get me real stoked haha (wonder where I get this mentality from? hmm..), but the personal touch on the card is priceless. Plus the fact that they felt sorry for not spending the entire day with me was, to me, over-the-top. Didn't expect that from my grown-ass boys but if there's a way to my heart, they know now how to get their old man. I was mushy inside.

I spoke to my Dad. Played ball (went overboard here). Spent time with my best bud with a really pleasant Jen (Hallelujah). Had a massage. Got a well pondered gift and saw personal messages from my boys. Loved by my Anna Banana (for sure better than the smoothies). What an awesome day!!! Oh and yeah, guess who's back? First time I heard Em's Houdini [https://youtu.be/22tVWwmTie8?si=6gVb5kfkWXkL94ef ]. Ended the night listening to his track, smiling.

See what I mean??