Blog Entry # 182

Lovely Readers,
I am so nervous right now. This is the first time I'll be meeting Aster after being in a relationship with him for two years. Please tell me to stop overthinking. I don't know why my mind thinks that he'll get disappointed when he sees me or our first meeting would be awkward as hell. This is all so new to me because this is the first time I have been in a long-distance relationship. He'll be landing in an hour. Wish me luck!

Your nervous writer,
Winter ❄️

"You're making me uncomfortable," Leah said as she was watching me walk back and forth. We are now waiting for Aster.

Aster is my boyfriend. I met him on Twitter almost three years ago. I remember him arguing with me because I contradicted his tweet. We became friends after that and then he told me he likes me and I feel the same. Now, here we are.

"What if he doesn't like how I look, Leah?" I asked.

"You're joking, right?" she said.

"What if he doesn't like how I look in person?" I bit my nail.

"Then his love for you is shallow," she replied.

"Don't you ever get nervous when you meet Bruce at the airport?"

"I'm more excited than nervous every time," she answered with a smile.

"I think I need to-"

I couldn't finish what I was saying when I heard my phone ring. It was a text from Aster. He told me that their plane just landed and I'll be seeing him in a few minutes.

"Oh, my God!" Leah squealed when she saw the text. "Raise this higher," she told me, forcing my arm to raise the banner I made higher. She kept jumping up and down as if she was waiting for a celebrity to come out of the gates.

"Seriously, are you his girlfriend? You're more energetic than I am," I told her.

"One of us needs to be excited of your first meeting," she answered.

I shook my head before looking at the gates. It didn't take long before I saw Aster coming out. He grabbed his luggage from the conveyor belt before walking towards us.

I can't help but stare at him in amusement. The person I only saw in pictures for two years is finally walking towards me.

"Hi," I greeted when he stopped in front of me.

"Hello, baby," he said while patting my head.

I heard Leah sigh before pushing me towards Aster. Aster caught me.

"Oops!" she said after pushing me. 

I was about to yell at Leah but got lost in Aster's eyes when I looked at him.

"It's nice to see you, Winter," he said before he kissed my forehead.

I embraced him and whispered, "You were worth the wait, Aster."

♡・♡・♡

"This looks weird," Aster commented on the bear guide he was holding. I took him to the ice-skating rink near my place. I got him a guide because apparently, he does not know how to skate.

"Well, for someone who likes the winter season so much, I'm shocked that you don't know how to ice skate," I said.

"I love the cold season, the hot chocolate but I never thought of learning how to do this." He motioned to the bear and the ground. "And I was busy all the time."

I chuckled. "Okay. Learn here, then. You are obliged to come back all the time," I ordered.

He nodded. "I don't think I can stand being distant from you for long anyway."

I clapped. "You have to promise." I raised my pinky. He laughed at how childish I was before intertwining his pinky finger with mine.

After our pinky promise, as if on cue, the lights on the rink lit up. What I like about this rink is they do light shows even if it isn't the holiday season.

"Aren't they pretty?" I asked Aster while admiring the lights.

"They shine more brightly because of you," he replied. I felt butterflies in my stomach after hearing that.

"Aww... Come here," I said before pushing the bear off him and hugging him. I felt him panic a bit because I took his guide away from him.

"I almost fell, Winter," he told me while balancing himself, trying his best not to lean that much on me.

"Fell harder for me? You already have, babe," I teased.

He sighed. "What do I do with you?"

I got out of his embrace and helped him balance himself. "Keep me in your pocket and never let me go," I answered. He rolled his eyes and I laughed.

"I love you," I said in a small voice. "Say it back," I demanded.

He shook his head and looked around, probably getting embarrassed by our public display of affection.

"I love you. I love you. I love you," I kept saying, annoying him until he finally returns it.

I got startled when he moved closer and kissed the top of my head before saying, "I love you too, darling."

Blog Entry # 185

Readers,
Is it just me or does it feel like they made a lot of renovations on the ice-skating rink? I don't know but it looked beautiful today. I should be tired of it because I go there all the time but this just felt brand new. This is the most fun I had in the rink.

Your ice skater girl,
Winter ❄️

♡・♡・♡

Blog Entry # 191

Movie Fans,
Aster and I are going to have a movie marathon today. Any recommendations on what we should watch? I'm thinking of horror movies but I always have a hard time sleeping after watching those.

In serious need of your help!

Your fellow movie fan,
Winter ❄️

"I got it!" I exclaimed when I got back from the kitchen. I just finished making our hot chocolates. We will just be watching a movie in my apartment for today.

"What will we watch?" he asked.

"Christmas movies," I answered before placing his hot chocolate on the table.

"In the middle of the year?" he asked.

"Yes, and what about it?" I answered.

He chuckled before settling in his seat. He did a hand gesture telling me to go on and I happily played the movie. I sat next to him and took a sip on my chocolate.

"This is wonderful," he commented on the hot chocolate I made for him.

"You're lucky your girlfriend makes the best hot chocolate in town." I winked at him and he laughed before taking a sip again.

No one talked when the movie started. The both of us just patiently watched. In the middle of the movie, Aster laid on the couch and placed his head on my lap. 

After finishing two movies, I checked the time and realized that it was already seven in the evening. I still had to prepare dinner for Aster. I told Aster to stand up but he didn't respond. I looked at him and saw him sleeping peacefully on my lap.

"My precious baby," I whispered to myself. I slowly placed his head on the pillow and silently stood up from the couch.

I kneeled in front of him and kissed him on the cheek. "I'll get to have this view every day someday. Rest well, my love."

♡・♡・♡

"I'm tired. Let's go," I told Aster after fixing my things. We chose to go to the beach today. We love doing winter activities but since he's here on the West Coast, might as well take him to the sea.

"Let us watch the sunset first," he said, pulling me down to sit on the blanket.

I sat beside him. "Okay," I replied.

I placed my head on his shoulder and watched the sunset with him. He held my hand and interlocked our fingers.

The sun was halfway down but it will still take a long time before it goes down completely. It felt relaxing to watch despite it being slow-paced.

"I am not actually fond of watching this, you know?" I told Aster.

He looked at me. "I know. You mentioned it to me before which is why I swore to myself to watch it with you, hoping you'll like it as much as I do. The sunset taught me to be patient. It is indeed slow-paced but seeing the beautiful starry night sky at the end of it is the greatest reward."

"Huh? I never thought of it like that. It's not that I hate it though. I just think of it as a waste of time." I shrugged.

He looked back at the scene in front of us. "Do you think it is a waste of time now?" he asked after a few seconds.

I looked at the beautiful sky before looking back at the sun again. It is almost done setting.

"Well, now that I get to focus on every single detail, it's not so bad after all," I answered. I lifted my head and looked at him. I can see his eyes twinkling while watching. I smiled to myself. "Nothing is a waste of time whenever I'm with you," I added.

He looked at me. I focused on his eyes. The same glint in it when he was watching the sunset showed while he was gazing at me as well.

That moment would be something I would remember forever. The light and darkness were fighting in the sky but it looked more than beautiful especially while Aster is in front of it.

It's hard to miss the sound of the waves crashing but at that time, all I heard was our hearts beating as one.

And as the sun set completely, I met Aster's lips and it felt like a thousand fireworks went off. Since the day I knew I am in love with him, I waited for this to happen. That scene was magical and it wouldn't have occurred if I didn't wait just like how the slow sunset brings life to the bright night sky.

Blog Entry # 212

Dearest Readers,
I was never really that mesmerized when watching the sunset. It looks pretty, yes but it does not feel special to me.

My perspective changed now though. The sunset was boring to me before because I hate looking at something that progressed so slowly but if you learn how to look at it in a different light, you'll see how beautiful it is and curse yourself for not appreciating it as much before.

The slow sunset made me realize that all good things come to those who patiently wait. I was used to having everything handed out to me in a snap but when I met Aster, it turned out, I don't have to rush things all the time. There is still a greater outcome when you are patient.

Your girl,
Winter ❄️

♡・♡・♡

"Are you sure you don't want to step out for a bit? Enjoy our last day together?" Aster asked while we were fixing his luggage. He's going back to London tomorrow.

"We still have a lot to do here, babe," I answered.

"We can do them later. There's still time," he said, still persuading me.

"I know, love but you need a good night's rest later. You'll be back again in December. We'll do more winter things then," I told him.

He nodded before sitting on the side of the bed. I wanted to go out with him too but I had other plans for the both of us tonight.

I continued fixing his things. He did the same but it's evident that he lost the mood to do anything. I heard him sigh and that is when I can't control myself anymore.

"Baby, cheer up. I have a surprise for you," I said and he looked at me. I grabbed his bag containing his passport, ticket, and other small essentials, and gave it to him.

"What will I do with this?" he asked.

"Check." I shrugged.

He sat in front of me. He first looked through the pocket containing his passport and ticket. He furrowed his eyebrows when he felt another passport and ticket there. He read the extra ticket and his eyes widened when he saw what was written.

"I was supposed to cook the best dinner for you and show that as a surprise," I told him.

"You're coming to London with me?" he asked and I nodded.

"And I have no plans on returning because of this." I showed him the matching bracelets I bought.

"Winter."

"Aster, never in my life did I think that the person I'll end up loving for eternity would be the person I met online. At this age, it is hard to find someone who will stay true because it is so easy to lie, but you did, and that is why I admire you so much," I said. "I don't know if I'm becoming ridiculous or if this is the right thing to do but all I know is I want to spend the rest of my life with you."

I grabbed his bracelet from the box. "Mr. Aster Gift, the man who taught me that love knows no distances, will you marry me?" I asked.

He stayed frozen for a few seconds before he pulled me to sit on his lap and kissed me. There I knew it was a yes. He said yes.

"I love you, Aster," I whispered after pulling away.

He hugged me tightly before saying, "I love you. I love you very much, Winter."

Blog Entry # 220

Readers,   
To be honest, I don't know what to write. I thought I could put into words how happy I am right now but I can't. Everything feels surreal. If this was just a dream, I hope I never wake up.

Wishing all of you a happy and lovely rest of the day ♡

Soon to walk down the aisle,
Winter ❄️

♡・♡・♡

I opened my eyes and was greeted by a bright light. I sat upright and massaged my head. What's happening?

My phone rang. I grabbed it from the side table and answered. "Hello?"

"Finally! I've been calling you for like ten times now," my sister said.

"Why? What's up?" I asked.

"You asked me yesterday to wake you because you'll be picking up your boyfriend from the airport," she answered.

I suddenly felt more awake from the confusion. "What are you talking about? I met him already and I proposed to him too."

"Huh? You were planning to but still haven't done it because you haven't met him yet. You activated Mom's shotgun mouth because of that," she reminded.

I massaged my head. "What day is it today?"

"July 1st," she answered.

"What?" I removed my phone from my ear and checked the date. It is July 1.

"What's happening to you? Anyway, wake up, get dressed, and drive to the airport. He's gonna land any minute. You're gonna be late," she told me before ending the call.

I tossed my phone to the side and massaged my head. "Everything was already perfect," I whispered to myself. "But all of it was just a dream."

♡・♡・♡

"Wint, where are you now?" Leah asked after I answered her call.

"Driving to the airport to fetch Aster," I answered.

"Have you seen the news?"

"No, why?" I asked.

"Drive to the hospital near the airport instead," she said.

I furrowed my eyebrows. "Why?" I asked before stopping on the side of the road.

"Winter, I know how excited you are for this day but..." she started.

I began feeling chills and my heart is now beating rapidly. I could feel my forehead sweating as well.

"But what, Leah?" I asked, hoping that nothing too serious happened.

"A plane tipped over while on the runway a while ago. I don't know how it happened but everyone was badly injured," she explained. I kept on shaking my head, refusing to believe everything that was happening. I tried keeping myself together, holding on to that chance that it wasn't Aster's flight but my world completely shattered when she added, "And that flight was from London."

♡・♡・♡

"How is he, Doc?" I asked the doctor after he went out of the operating room. Aster experienced major head trauma after the crash which is why he was immediately operated on.

"Everything is alright now. We just have to continue monitoring him," he answered. "I'm sorry for asking but you are?"

"His wife," I lied so they could tell me his condition.

"Ah, yes. He is currently in a comatose state but do not worry, Mrs. Gift, his coma won't last a week. We can't tell how long he will recover after waking up but we are certain that he'll be able to recover quickly," he explained. "Your husband is a fighter, Mrs. Gift."

"Thank you, Doc." I smiled.

He excused himself and I let him pass before looking back at the OR. Aster was brought out after a few seconds. A tear escaped from my eye when I saw him. He had bruises all over his body and he looked so weak.

I tried following them but was stopped because they still had to settle him in his room in the ICU. I watched them through the glass window. Tears won't stop overflowing from my eyes now.

It felt surreal to see him. I always wished for the heavens to schedule our perfect meetup but I never expected that it would turn out like this.

I placed my hand on the glass window and whispered, "It is nice to meet you, my love."

♡・♡・♡

"Hey, good morning, love," I greeted Aster when he woke up. He had been in the hospital for two weeks now. He woke up five days after being in a coma. He's still struggling to breathe on his own which is why an oxygen mask is still attached to his face. He can't talk back but he answers through nods and hand signals. He also writes letters in our arms using his fingers.

His family went here too. I am not sure they like me for him though especially now that he got into an accident because he wanted to see me.

Aster roamed his eyes around the room. I smiled when he raised his thumb to compliment the winter decorations I placed.

"I know how much you love the winter season so I planned many winter activities for us but I didn't expect that this would happen so I brought the winter things to you," I explained.

He held my arm lightly and placed it beside him. He wrote, "You are my favorite winter."

I felt my face heating up so I looked away. I tried composing myself before facing him again. He was smirking under his mask so I glared at him.

He smiled before glancing at the side table. His eyes focused on the tiny red box sitting there.

The hospital gave me the things that they retrieved from his pocket when they brought him in. It was just his phone and wallet but what caught my attention is the tiny red box. Inside was the most beautiful diamond snowflake ring I have ever seen in my life. What got me tearing up was when I read the engraving inside the ring's band. 'Mrs. Winter Stocking-Gift' was written.

"Yes, I saw it. It's very beautiful, babe," I told him. I then remembered what Leah told me. She revealed everything Aster planned. "I also found out that you only bought a one-way ticket. The return date that you told me, was that a lie?" I confirmed.

He nodded as a response. I laughed and he knitted his eyebrows due to the confusion. "It's funny because..." I grabbed the ticket I bought two months ago from my bag. It was a flight ticket to London dated on the day when he said he would be returning. I showed it to him and his eyes widened. "And this." I showed him the matching bracelets I got. I was supposed to use it to propose to him.

I looked at the bracelets and smiled. "I was ready to leave everything behind for you, Aster. I guess you were willing to do the same?" I asked and he nodded.

I kept the ticket inside my bag. "I got a good scolding from my family because of that decision. They told me that a guy I met online was not worth risking everything for. I would be making the biggest mistake of my life, they said. They also said that I don't know most about you so why should I put my whole trust in you..." I looked at him directly in the eye.

"But you know what, fuck what they think. Yes, I do not know you that well and you do not know most about me too but I am certain that I want to spend the rest of my life with you. Who cares if we still barely know each other? We have a lifetime to introduce ourselves and understand one another," I said. He gave me a small smile.

"To be honest, I don't know what will happen to us now. Will we stay here after your recovery? Or fly to your town? Or just start somewhere else?" I shrugged. "I am not rushing though. Take your time in recovering," I assured. "I just want to know if this ring means that you would want to spend the rest of your life with me too?" I asked.

He grabbed my hand and pressed on it softly. He looked at me before slowly nodding. I felt tears start to stream down my face. I already expected the answer to my question after seeing the ring but it still felt different when the answer came from him.

I will be lying if I didn't say that I got scared from my decision of leaving everything behind just to be with him. I was scared that he might not be prepared for marriage yet or he does not want to get married at all. It was such a relief that all my horrible thoughts were wrong.

I embraced him. "I love you. I love you so much," I told him.

I looked at him and laughed when he did a finger heart saying that he loves me too.

Blog Entry # 359

Dear Readers,
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to each and every one of you. I would like to thank all of you for all the love and support you have shown Aster and me. Reading all your messages comforted Aster very well.

I know y'all missed my 12 days of Christmas destination feature and I am sorry that I couldn't do it this year. Hopefully, I'll get to do it again next year with my soon-to-be husband.

Aster is recovering little by little each day and we have you to thank for that. All your prayers truly warmed our hearts.

Cheers to all of you and have a very happy holiday! ♡

Your girl,
Winter ❄️