This post was inspired by Babygurl's post entitled The Lost Art of Letter Writing. (Well, not the part about letter writing but the part of her dad's SMS to her about her May- December relationship).

Four years ago, I was the "never been kissed" kind of girl. I was turning twenty but I have never been courted- or dated. But just liked any other girl, I wanted a boyfriend.

I was never courted because I was very picky. If a guy wanted to court me, I'd brush him away if I did not find him attractive. Sometimes, to the point of rudeness. I believed that in the begining, there should be attraction right away and not something that would just develop eventually. I believed in letting down the guy right away if you don't like him. After all, why make him hope, waste time and money on you if he had no chance to begin with? He'll realize later, when he moves on, that you did him a favor. In fact, I was such a segurista that I would only like, which is, by the way, different from crushing, a guy that could like me back.

But more than anything, the reason why I wouldn't let anyone court me is because I was scared to have any guy visit me at home. If a guy was a close friend or kabarkada, it wasn't a problem. But a guy acquaintance to an almost complete stranger, I wouldn't dare take home to mom and dad even if they were just that- acquaintances. You see, I'm the eldest daughter- and grand daughter. I was also scared of my dad. I would think that my parents would think (still with me?) any guy who visited me at home, even though was just a friend, was courting me. And naturally, they would grill me about it. Who is this guy? How old is he ? From what school? Where did you meet? Does he pray at night? Does he carry condoms? WHAT?! He carries condoms?! Why that---!!!

One day, I finally decided that if I wanted to have a boyfriend, if I wanted to know what it was like to love and be loved in return, I had to change my perspective and face my fears. Shortly, I was introduced to my ex boyfriend, who I shall not say the name since he's not worth it (no, I don't hate him), by one of my closest friends, Karla. A week after meeting him and talking for hours on the phone, I decided to invite him over so he could meet my parents. Well, my motive for this was because we were going to Karla's birthday party the next weekend and he was picking me up and I know for sure that my parents wouldn't allow me to go with a complete stranger. I was so nervous that I didn't finish the food on my plate. I found out later on that my dad was more nervous than I was!

Six months later, my nameless ex boyfriend and I got together. The first obstacle I had to overcome was to tell my dad about our relationship. It took me a week before telling him. Since I could never discuss anything openly with him, I decided to write him a letter and stick it in his lunch box where he would surely see it. I can't remember what I really said but I know it went something along these lines:

Hi! You're probably wondering why I'm writing you so I better say what I wanna say without beating around the bush. So here goes.... Kami na ni ________!!!

Uhh, hmm, ok? Did you get that? Do you wanna read that again? Do you wanna sit down? Do you wanna drink water? Don't forget to breathe, daddy, breathe!!!

I just want you to know that I thought of my decision for a very long time. I know what I'm getting into. I know that it entails limitations, expectations and responsibilities. I know that I can handle them.

But still, I'll be needing your support and guidance, dad. This is my first time in a relationship and I'll be learning new things. I hope that you will be there when I need your help.Please don't worry about me. I love you very much and always remember that you will always be the first man in my life.

When my dad read the letter, he SMSed me right away. He said:

I just read your letter. I'm happy if you're happy. Take care. I love you. PS. Soldiers cry too.

The last line brought tears to my eyes. I replied and said thanks and told him to eat his lunch already. To which he replied:

It was the worst tuna sandwich I've ever had.

A year and a month later, I was free from the clutches of my ex. My dad was out of town that time and when he came back, I gave him a big hug and told him that we broke up. His first question was, "Are you okay?" To which, I cheerily replied, "Oo naman!" I truly was.

Shortly, A and I started hanging out. We would go out on weekends as friends. Contrary to what everyone suspected, we were truly just that. Until one day, we realized that everyone was right. We fell for each other. It was a weeknight and A and I, after a night out , went home at 2Am, completely delirious with happiness. I was surprised to find my parents in the living room, working on the computer at that hour. As I closed the door, I had an idiotic smile on my face. My dad asked, "O! Bakit ganyan mukha mo? (Oh, why is your face like that?" I couldn't help but giggle and in my happiness and excitement, only uttered one word. "Boyfriend." They knew it was A. Who else could it be? My dad started giving me a lecture about the time I've been going home recently. But because I was so happy and so in love, I was just smiling widely at him as he lectured. He finally waved a hand in resignation and said, "Ahh! I'll talk to you in the morning! It's useless talking to you now!"

Yes, I've only had two boyfriends. It was difficult telling my father that his little girl has a boyfriend. He eventually got used to the fact and so on the second time around, it was a piece of cake.

Trivia: Did you know that a few days before I met my nameless ex boyfriend (NEB), I met A? Karla and A were kabarkadas, as with my ex. One day, while the three of them were hanging out, NEB asks them to find him a girl to set him up with. A remembers me and formulates a "brilliant" plan.