The last time Alan was here, we were together for 5 days... the hardest part seemed to be the period which followed because we realized how much we really cared for each other.  So we promised each other that the next time we were together in February, we were going to make enough memories to last us until we can be "together-together" indeed in New York for keeps.

This time we had 12 days together... the following chronology is actually for his and my benefit.  Just a little reminder of all the things we did while he was here.

Day 3: Visiting Alan's Dad Breakfast was at Country Waffle's where Alan had his usual corned beef with garlic rice, and we met up with everyone at Starbucks over at 6750.
	Pat, Dinna, Alan, Uncle Titong, TIta Celia, Eileen and Patrick at the Manila Memorial Park Pat accompanied us to Manila Memorial Park so we could pay respects to his departed Dad, Prof. Salvador Gonzalez.  It was a late lunch at Wok Inn in Malate later, after which we went to  the Lobby of the Pen to listen to some music and have a few drinks.

We shared more than just one breakfast at Via Mare's in Glorietta the last time he was here, and we took the whole family there for brunch, after which we viewed the Dioramas of the Ayala Museum... then it was a quick trip to Megamall later in the afternoon.  Later in the day: Dinner at Glorietta and drinks at Giraffe.

We ate breakfast again at Via Mare before he went to our house and met my family.  It went very well and everyone was just happy to finally welcome Alan to our home.  Going back to the memories we shared, we went around Greenhills and had our fill of Chocful o'nuts siopao which is something we had looked forward to doing together.  As a capper, we even had Orange Julius which still had its original site in Unimart.  In the evening, we went back to Hard Rock where we dance together for the first time.

The most tension filled part of it all was having his family meet mine for the traditional Pamanhikan.  We had lunch at our house with Alan's family bringing the lechon de leche and kare kare, then we served prawns which was Alan's favorite.  After hours of talking, we finally got the blessing of our parents.  The wedding will take place in New York, the date of which will be set once we get approval of my papers from the INS.  Eileen helped to show them pics of the venue she had helped Alan select.  Afterwards, we went to Greenhills and strolled around with the family in tow. 

My future mother-in-law, Mrs. Celia Gonzalez tendered an Engagement Luncheon for Alan and me so we could meet his family.

Alan's Auntie Pacita was gracious enough to host dinner in honor of Tita Celia and the whole family.  It was both a bienvenida and despedida party. 

It's difficult to try and remember any particular valentine's day which was truly special in the past.  This year's valentine's day proved to be the most romantic and meaningful of all the valentine's days I've ever celebrated not only because it was the first ever with Alan, but more so because he really made an effort to celebrate it.