to my love—

my dearest, amanda

if you'd asked me what i'm most grateful for this past year, it would have to be every moment i got to spend with you

and so, i've curated a trove of my most cherished (and our most iconic!) memories between this valentines, and the last…

Preston Day

March 2024

we both agree, this is one of the most perfect days we've had

we both agree, this is one of the most perfect days we've had

from waking up skronkly, to trekking out for a food adventure

from waking up skronkly, to trekking out for a food adventure

eating good, getting lost, (some harot-harot in between) and ending with a home-cooked meal

eating good, getting lost, (some harot-harot in between) and ending with a home-cooked meal

and a movie night, with a little camp set up in the living room

and a movie night, with a little camp set up in the living room

Life with you is so wonderful, Amanda.

Life with you is so wonderful, Amanda.

Satur-dates

July 2024

It's hard, but very rewarding, and we're making long-distance work

It's hard, but very rewarding, and we're making long-distance work

I'm so eternally grateful for the time and effort you set aside for us amidst everything

I'm so eternally grateful for the time and effort you set aside for us amidst everything

I feel like this has become a staple of our long-distance arrangement

I feel like this has become a staple of our long-distance arrangement

and an anchor amidst all the turbulence and uncertainty of the circumstances surrounding us

and an anchor amidst all the turbulence and uncertainty of the circumstances surrounding us

I always look forward to these, and I can't wait for more!

I always look forward to these, and I can't wait for more!

Jakarta Visit

September 2024

reuniting with you in Jakarta was such a triumph

reuniting with you in Jakarta was such a triumph

months of long distance and waiting made worth it seeing each other again!

months of long distance and waiting made worth it seeing each other again!

the day dates and food adventures in Blok M were so much fun

the day dates and food adventures in Blok M were so much fun

our little gift exchanges were cute, and even just marinating in bed with you was so lovely

our little gift exchanges were cute, and even just marinating in bed with you was so lovely

(And I still can't believe it! I made it to Jakarta!)

(And I still can't believe it! I made it to Jakarta!)

and I can't wait to do it again — for you, and for us.

and I can't wait to do it again — for you, and for us.

Minecraft

February 2025

Our gaming era? This was so much fun!

Why didn't we think of this earlier! It's such a great way to spend time together and hang out in a virtual world.

It's also an excuse for us to just chill, and play like we're kids again.

Perhaps this wasn't top of my mind when I said we'd build this relationship together, but I'm so glad we get to do this

Looking forward to more adventures with you here!

Melbourne Visit

January 2025

she's back!!

Even if we didn't get to meet, I already felt so happy that you got to visit Melbourne again

Even if we didn't get to meet, I already felt so happy that you got to visit Melbourne again

but the lucky part is, we actually got to reunite, over and over again!

but the lucky part is, we actually got to reunite, over and over again!

Your trip back felt like a reward for all the challenges and difficulties from the past year

Your trip back felt like a reward for all the challenges and difficulties from the past year

and you deserved all the joy and fun and love from this trip!!

and you deserved all the joy and fun and love from this trip!!

I'm also so grateful you made me a part of your visit

I'm also so grateful you made me a part of your visit

and it was a beautiful reminder of the life we could live here.

and it was a beautiful reminder of the life we could live here.

and i patiently await your return…

and i patiently await your return…

Pellegrini's

February 2024

When I think of Melbourne, I think of Pellegrini's — and even more so, Pellegrini's with you.

When I think of Melbourne, I think of Pellegrini's — and even more so, Pellegrini's with you.

That night we went to see the "Melb-henge", then out for a cheeky pasta (and watermelon granita),

That night we went to see the "Melb-henge", then out for a cheeky pasta (and watermelon granita),

and a night walk around Carlton Gardens will always live forever in my heart.

and a night walk around Carlton Gardens will always live forever in my heart.

This moment might seem short and mundane, but spending time with you is always so lovely

This moment might seem short and mundane, but spending time with you is always so lovely

and I'm really glad I got to fill the city with memories I will cherish forever.

and I'm really glad I got to fill the city with memories I will cherish forever.

within each others arms

within each others arms

or apart across the seas

or apart across the seas

i cherish the memories we made

i cherish the memories we made

and the memories to come

and the memories to come

i love you! happy valentines day

yours truly, and forever — Carlos