An unexpected visit from a friend, meeting her fur babies, and she meets my son, Caleb.

Last week, my friend for a decade, yes since college days, called me to say that she would be coming for a visit. It was all of a sudden as the last time we saw each other was last May. He and her husband drove me home when I was on maternity leave. Though she mentioned wanting to see me and the baby, it was hard to find time for her. Only then did I remember it was their son's first death anniversary. (Their 1st baby didn't survive as she had a complicated pregnancy - Placenta previa.) She still didn't change. Every time she had a bad day, it was me she wanted to be with.

Can I bring my dogs? She asked.

Honestly speaking, though I find dogs cute, I am not a dog lover. Though the thought of having a pet was nice, I couldn't stand the smell, and maintenance is expensive. Thus, I know that it was their fur baby who saved them from agony. Who am I to resist?

I may not be a dog lover, but I respect fur parents, as some of my siblings are. I know how they cherish and love their furry friends as much as I love my son.

After waiting for her for hours, they finally arrived.

Her fur babies, Doña and Blue, don't want to be photographed. They are snobbish dogs, lol.

It was already past six in the evening when they arrived, and I knew we would be eating dinner late! Why? They wanted to cook beef sinigang. My pressure cooker wasn't here, so I lent it to my sister-in-law. Knowing how long we needed the meat to boil to tender? 🤣

Blue is the black one and is a behaving dog, opposite to Doña, who is such a hyper.

Day (short of Inday, her endearment to me ), we will sleep here. 🤦‍♂, Damn this lady didn't even tell me ahead of time 🤣. She was that comfortable with me.

Ah, okay. Suit yourself and go, cook your sinigang! She couldn't expect me to prepare, right? Knowing me, she was prepared. I mean, she brought all the ingredients.

Doña seemed a baby lover as she kept on following my son, sniffing him. She even stood near his crib and wanted to go near him. However, my baby didn't like it, as it was his first time seeing a dog, and he kicked it. See that folded part of his crib? Poor doggie was hit.

On the other side, Blue is just sleeping in the corner, owning my doormat 😆. Yeah, after the poops!

And finally, at almost ten in the evening, dinner was prepared!

I didn't eat much as I was trying to lose weight. It's been six months since I gave birth, yet I look pregnant still.

_{The Photo was taken yesterday. I will go out next week for my baby's Pedia visit, and none of my dresses fit well.}

His husband left to visit his friend for a while, but I am already sleepy and need to attend Caleb - _{my son} . So, I told her to feel at home and see her in the morning, though we managed to chat for an hour.

In the morning, thankful my brother-in-law bought me some kakanin and Mother in law prepared hot Kapeng Barako.

Tamalisis sticky rice wrapped in banana leaves and served with caramelized sugar as a sauce. It is perfect for balancing the bitterness of black coffee.

Afterwards, we continued chitchat, catching up while I attended to my son. In fairness to him, he was a happy baby. He smiled, and you could hear his roaring laugh as my friend talked to him.

Somehow, she smiles, yet I can see the sadness and longing in their husband's eyes. Losing their baby after months of struggles was not easy, especially since I know they fought for his life, even if that meant spending all their money. I know they are still in the process of healing, and I prayed for them.

Lead image was edited using Canva
Photos are mine
Footer credit to Sensiblecast.