by Susan Palmes-Dennis
Charlotte, North Carolina---This story is a keeper for a lifetime. Despite advances in technology employed mostly by millennials, my friend Rowena Tocayon Montemor still prefers writing love letters on paper rather than email.
In fact she kept all the love letters written by her ex-boyfriend and now husband of 27 years Bill at their lovely home here in Charlotte, North Carolina. Rowena also kept the letters she wrote to Bill in a special place at their home.
I will tell you about Rowena's love story starting with her in Calbayog City, Samar province in the Philippines.
“Weng “as Rowena is fondly called by close friends and family members, has two sons with husband Bill. She said they wrote each other letters for two years before she finally started working on her fiancée visa.
When asked why she wanted to write letters on paper she explained “it is more meaningful and you can pour your emotions and sentiments to it.” “There is no doubt we can express more in writing than face to face conversation since we are more restrained when talking than writing,” Rowena said.
It was in 1987 and Rowena was 16 ½ years old at the time when she stayed in Olangapo City after being asked by her pregnant cousin whose husband was away as a member of the US Navy.
She remembered that she met her future husband who then visited her cousin's friend. Rowena sat on the stairs when Bill arrived. “I recalled that because that was 2 days before my 17 birthday,” Rowena said.
The meeting was brief but eventually very memorable to Bill and Rowena was surprised that a year later the good looking American Marine returned and looked for her.
Unknown to Rowena or Weng that chance meeting with Bill was all it took to get him smitten by her long hair and “kayumangi (clear) skin.” Rowena said it was only later than she learned that Bill requested to stay a month in the Philippines to find and know her more.
He proposed to Rowena a week after his arrival. He found an engagement ring at the US base in Olongapo city. And he popped the marriage question to Rowena who enthusiastically said yes.
When Bill returned to the US, Rowena said they kept in touch through letters. Weng said she always looked forward every day for a letter. “He would write six times a week,” she said.
Rowena said each letter would be two to three pages. She responded with letters of her own. “It was meaningful and when I write I can pour my emotions into it,” Rowena said.
The correspondence took years and they also talked over the phone for hours. Rowena said she remembered going to the local PLDT office to make the calls. On Sept. 22, 1990 Rowena arrived in California and days later, married Bill.
She said their marriage is “almost perfect.” “There are always ups and downs,” Rowena admitted but other than that she said she could not ask for more.
In those days, love is cultivated through mails and phone calls. Rowena and Bill are proof that distance is no issue when it comes to connecting with each other.
On that note, I greet everyone a Happy Valentine's Day. (Comments and questions please send to susanap.dennis@yahoo.com)
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