Dear Son,

Before there was you, there was us—your Mama and Papa. Since it’s Valentine’s Day, I want to tell you a little story about us.

We met through an app and started dating in the time of COVID. The lockdown threw us into a long distance relationship, even though we were not far away from each other. We went to the movies on Zoom, but these dates felt every bit as sweet as if we were actually holding hands at the cinema.

Photo credits to best friend who gave Lem a proper “interrogation” when I first introduced him as my new boyfriend..

The Day Papa Proposed

When Papa proposed to me, we could only have 3 other friends with us due to safe distancing measures. On the day of food tasting for our wedding, the government ordered all F&B services to be shut with immediate effect. No dining in; takeaways only. I literally had my spoon in my mouth, rating the taste of the first course, when the news came in.

Our wedding day was tiny, restricted to 50 people. Everyone had to have their masks on except the bride and groom. It was still a very happy day, and our wedding photos reflect that. I was secretly happy that we could get married in such a simple and intimate way, even though I wished many of our friends and family could be there.

You’re Our Favourite Third-Wheeler

Mama and Papa conceived you very quickly after we got married, so we didn’t have a lot of 二人世界 (couple) time before a little lightbulb came following us around. Yes, I’m talking about you, our dear boy, our favourite third-wheeler, who we gladly welcome to crash our dates.

Though it looks different now as parents than when we were dating, our love has deepened and matured over the years.

Now that you’re going to school, we sometimes sneak off for dates when we get a chance to take leave from work. Every time we’re on a such a date, I find myself telling Papa that I wished you were here with us.

I know you laugh your biggest belly laughs when Mama and Papa are having fun with each other, joking around, and even chasing each other around the house. We sometimes do it on purpose just to make you laugh.

As you can probably tell, we’re still as deeply in love with each other as before, and though it looks different now as parents than it was when we were dating, our love has deepened and matured over the years.

But there was a time I was so focused on learning to love and take care of you that I forgot to show Papa I still loved him too. Papa, on the other hand, has been steadfast and assuring in his love for me since day one — and now he shows you the same steady and strong love too.

Photo credits to toddler who third-wheeled our Saturday morning cafe date.

We Will Work Hard At Our Love

We will keep working hard to love each other, to remember we’re always on the same team.

Maybe you’re reading back on this post as an older boy, or a cool teenager, and you’re cringing at my words. You may even say Valentine’s Day is overrated and a commercial scam out to profit from gullible couples. Nevertheless, love is always worth celebrating, so I thought I’d take this chance to tell you about our little love story.

To Lem, my love, thank you for showing me such love on a daily basis without fail. I love you.

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