Memorandum of Agreement Between You and Me

MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT

KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS:

            This Memorandum of Agreement, made and entered into by and between:

            ME, referred to as FIRST PARTY, and

            YOU, herein referred to as SECOND PARTY.

WITNESSETH

            Whereas the FIRST PARTY is a man who is willing to support, encourage and make true the hopes and dreams of the woman he loves.  And whereas the SECOND PARTY is the identified beneficiary of this undertaking.

Whereof, for and in consideration of the foregoing premises, both parties hereby agree to the following:

1. That the FIRST PARTY will agree to stay by the SECOND PARTY's side, and let her know how beautiful she is despite a so-called "bad hair day".

2. That the FIRST PARTY will always let the SECOND PARTY have the last say---no matter what.

3. That the FIRST PARTY will always let the SECOND PARTY know if she has some spaghetti sauce on her cheek to prevent her from embarrassment. 

4. That the FIRST PARTY will make sure the SECOND PARTY gets to splurge on her favorite ice cream and cake when it's that time of the month---if she wants to. Well, SECOND PARTY can splurge on them anytime she wants, as long as she's prepared for the tummy-ache the next day (which FIRST PARTY will ultimately nurse and slightly nag about). 

5. That the FIRST PARTY will hold SECOND PARTY's hand, kiss her on the cheek and hug her tightly when she needs it. FIRST PARTY respects SECOND PARTY's space and will only openly show affection when SECOND PARTY asks for it. That does not mean, however, that FIRST PARTY is cold and insensitive. Both FIRST PARTY and SECOND PARTY agree on the dynamics of this.

So haters can like, back off.

6. That most importantly, FIRST PARTY will work hand-in-hand with SECOND PARTY in making sure that they both GROW and FLOURISH in their personal walks with Christ. That by the end, when  at death they do part, they are secure of the other's ultimate destination. This is the most vital prong to this memorandum, and this bears the most value to the agreement. This, in actuality, is at the very core of the whole relationship---and should stay there for the rest of their lives. 

      IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have signed this memorandum of Agreement by their respective duly authorized representative on the date and place written in the Lord's Word.  

Amen.

Strangers in a Restaurant

Last night, while I was eating dinner, I saw a guy pacing back and forth outside the restaurant. From the looks of it, he was waiting for someone. A girlfriend maybe. Or a mistress. I don't know. But it must've been someone dear to him.

I looked at him while I was eating my tender pork grills, wondering how his life has been up to that point. Was he a successful business man? Did he have children? Was he happy?

I guess I'll never know.

I left the restaurant right after I finished finished my meal, rushing past the waiting man. Culminating our meeting with a small nod.

I might never see him again. Which made me wonder of the many things that could've happened if I tried to talk to him. He could've been a good friend. He could've needed my help. He could've helped me with MY personal problems.

Could've, but no.

We were confined to the fact that we were two complete strangers. Bound to meet on opposite walls of a fastfood joint in Cebu on a cold Sunday night. That and nothing else.

Which made me think of everyone else in the restaurant that night. Will I be able to see them again? Will I know them once I see them? 

And then I thought of everyone I've known. Were we, at some point in time, unknowing strangers in a restaurant? Did we order our meals right beside each other? Did we even have an inkling that we were to become acquaintances? Friends? Lovers?

I guess not. But now, we were.

I didn't chat them up. I never offered to buy them food. And yet, here we are. Acquaintances. Friends. Lovers. All because we were bound to be.

And if that man were to be my friend, then he will be. But I'll never know until then.

So as I got into my taxi, I looked at the man for what might be the last time. I wondered if he had a dog. Or if he liked the color blue. Or if he was in love with whoever he was going to meet up with.

I guess I'll never know.