Yesterday was my parents 30^th anniversary. If there is anything they taught me on keeping the marriage strong is to always have time for each other.

My mom is a working mother. She sits in the office from 9 -5. With Jakarta’s ruthless traffic, she has to go before 8 am and come home at 6 pm. My dad is a restaurant owner so he has more flexibility in time. Usually he works at 10 am – 3 pm, and again from 6 pm – 10 pm. Sometimes he goes for market shopping at 7 am. My mom works 5 times a week, while my dad works everyday (weekend is the busiest for restaurant).

Do you see the pattern here? How can they see each other with their schedule?

I must say.. it is often that my mom left before my dad gets up of bed, and comes home when my dad has left.

But one thing for sure, everyday they make time to see each other. My dad always wakes up early in the morning to see my mom off to office, and come back to sleep ha ha. My mom always wait for my dad before going to bed, eventho’ she really tired and sometimes fall asleep while waiting (in front of TV).

During weekend they always make time to go out, have dinner, groceries shopping; even if that means my dad has to leave his business during busy hour. And even if that means my mom has to wake up early to accompany my dad doing shopping to traditional market (hot, dirty, and wet kind of market).

Lesson 1: Always always always make time for each other

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My family celebrate everything. I mean, we always have cakes for every birthday and anniversary. We never missed the cake. Never missed the blowing candle and cake cutting. We almost never missed eating birthday noodle, even in anniversary celebration.

Starting with yesterday (19 Aug) is my parent anniversary, another 2 weeks is Tomo’s birthday (30 Aug), another 1 week is my dad’s birthday (5 Sept), and ended by mom’s birthday 11 days after (16 Sept). Phewhh… 4 cakes checked for the next one month. xD~

Other than cakes, we almost always eating out. I said almost because yesterday we couldn’t go out since it fell on weekday and Grace needs to be ready in bed at 8 PM. But before Grace was born, we always eat out for birthday, even if it fall on weekdays. No need fancy and expensive restaurant. As long as we eat to celebrate together is enough.

Next is presents! I always receive present during my birthday even until now. Not only me, they also often give each other presents. Imagine being married for 30 years and every year they give each other presents! Even me who just married for 2 years didn’t give my husband present last year (shame on me, haha :p).

Lesson 2. Love and Celebrate

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They have different view of sickness. My dad thinks that even small sickness requires medicine / goes to doctor. While my mom thinks that our body shall be able to heal itself and create antibody, thus no need medicine/doctor. That is why my dad is very fussy when any family member is sick, especially my mom. He will keep telling her to go to doctors and she will say no unless the condition is serious. Good thing is he keeps asking how she is until she is healed, or he will drag my mom to see doctor. And because my mom doesn’t like doctor (I think) so she keeps telling my dad to eat healthily, eat slowly, and drink supplement. Looking for each other health is one of their priorities. After all healthy body means happy family, and healthy family means happy marriage, right?

Lesson 3. Caring through good times and bad times

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Happy Anniversary Mom & Dad

May your marriage always be blessed