#FlexKoLangSiHubby: 'Birthday Ng Anak Namin, Pero Ako Ang May Gift'

If there is one thing the pandemic has taught us well, it’s to value the people closest to our hearts because we do not know what tomorrow brings. That’s why this story of a dad who went the extra mile to make his partner feel loved, despite the distance, did not fail to inspire.

“Flex ko lang ang asawa ko na birthday ng anak namin pero ako ang may gift dahil celebration ng panganganak ko sa aming baby. (PS, may gift naman kami kay lo),” writes Sheem Rosaceña, 29 years old, in a post on Smart Parenting Village which has since gotten over a thousand likes and hearts. 

“Pakiramdam mo special ka sa lahat ng effort mo sa simula (ng) pag bubuntis hanggang sa pag-aalaga ng anak. Salamat sa mga asawang nakaka-appreciate sa hirap at sakripisyo ng pagiging ina! (heart emoji),” the post reads.

Sheena’s post comes with a photo of a gold necklace with a cross pendant that this unwitting mom originally thought was for their only child, Yuki Sheon, who recently celebrated his second birthday.

Thoughtful partner

“Ang buong akala ko naman, ang binili niyang gift ay para sa anak namin,” the stay-at home-mom recalls about that time she received the package. “Chineck ko at ti-nry kay baby kaso parang ang haba yata . Tsaka ko na realize na para sa akin yun.” Then, a message from her partner confirmed her suspicion. “Nag send na siya ng message sa akin na gift niya nga 'yun for the 2nd year ng birthing ko,” she adds.

Sheem, in an interview with Smart Parenting, reveals that her partner, Jefferson Lagran, 30, works as a caregiver in Japan and they have been in a long distance relationship for two years now.

“Simula (ng) nabuntis ako, nanganak, at until now, never pa niya kami nakasama ulit, pero yung love niya sa amin alam ko nararamdaman din ng anak namin kahit thru video call lang everyday ang ginagawa namin,” Sheem shares.

“Ang talagang nag papainlove sa akin yung araw araw niya pinaparamdam sa amin na mahal na mahal niya kami kahit na LDR kami.” Aside from the regular video calls, Jefferson has been consistent in greeting Sheen on their son’s birthday.

“Nakakatuwa naman kasi 2nd time niya na ako binabati ng ganito. Nakakataba ng puso,” Sheen writes in the post. On their son’s first birthday, Jefferson greeted her with, “Happy 1st Year ng birthing mo hon,” which she didn’t expect.

It's the effort that counts

Sheena also points out that it’s not really the value of the gift that matters, but the effort to show appreciation. “Kahit hindi mamahalin ang ibigay sa akin ni hubby, I will still react that way. Yung unexpected (na) pagbati nga lang sa akin, nag uumapaw na agad puso ko sa saya. Bonus nalang kapag may material na bagay na ibinigay.”

To moms and dads who find it hard, awkward or corny to show their appreciation for their partners, Sheem has a piece of advice: “’Di naman po siguro mahirap sabihin na na-appreciate natin ang mga partners natin. Hindi naman po natin kailangan ng mamahaling bagay para mapasaya ang other half natin. Simpleng thank you, yakap, halik at pagsabing, 'Na-appreciate ko ang lahat ng effort mo,' ay sapat na basta maiparamdam natin na mahal natin sila.”

“'Wag po natin i-take for granted ang isa’t isa dahil mas masarap mag mahal kapag alam mo na pinapahalagahan ka. Masarap gumising sa umaga na alam mong yung taong mahal mo, na-appreciate ka,” she adds.

And to those who are #blessed to have thougtful and loving husbands or wives, Sheena says that partners should reciprocate. “Ibigay po natin ang best natin. Mas mahalin natin sila, mas iparamdam at ipakita natin ang halaga nila, na (na)appreciate natin sila, at sabihin kung gaano tayo kasaya at kaswerte na sila ang binigay sa atin ni Lord para makasama panghabang buhay. Pwede din po tayo gumawa paminsan minsan ng mga surprises kahit di mahal, kahit DIY lang. Ang importante andun yung effort natin at thoughts na mapasaya natin sila sa mga simpleng paraang alam natin.”

Indeed, it takes two to make love grow. Thank you Sheem and Jefferson for the extra dose of kilig!

Do you have an inspiring love story to share? Send them to smartparenting@summitmedia.com.ph.