Still needs God's grace

Next month will be our wedding anniversary.

What a milestone.

Looking back over this past year, we have walked through many valleys.

Hubby lost his job.

We struggled through worries about having a baby, and our marriage was tested by many arguments.

Supply teaching opportunities became fewer, even though I work across three different school boards.

My brother's health worsened.

Several dear friends have moved—or are preparing to move—to other countries: Max, Rares, Aaron, and Daria.

There were many moments when life felt uncertain.

Yet I do not want hardship to become the only story I remember.

God has also been so kind to us.

He gave us two peaceful days in Burlington, staying at a beautiful hotel by the lake.

He blessed us with an unforgettable family trip to Turkey together with three families.

He allowed us to celebrate the weddings of wonderful friends—Sam, Nikola, Rares, and Catherine.

He gave us quiet moments after our arguments, when honest conversations slowly rebuilt what had been broken.

He filled our home with countless evenings of hospitality—hotpot dinners, game nights, laughter around our dining table, meaningful conversations, birthday celebrations, delicious meals, and friendships that continue to shape our lives.

Most of all, He has given us a safe home and another year together.

Perhaps that, in itself, is already a miracle.

As we approach another anniversary, my prayer is not that our marriage will become perfect.

It is that Christ will continue to transform two imperfect people who keep learning to love one another.

May God forgive us when we fail.

May He have mercy on us when we are stubborn.

May He soften our hearts whenever pride tries to harden them.

And may He continue writing our story—not because we are strong enough to hold our marriage together, but because His grace is stronger than all our weaknesses.

To God be the glory, always.

Yana & Rares' Wedding

It still feels a little surreal to see Rares as a married man.

There was a season when he had been single for quite a while. During those years, he often came over to our place for hotpot dinners, game nights, and countless evenings spent simply talking and sharing life. Our home was always open to him, and over time he became much more than a friend—he became family.

That is why seeing him stand at the altar, marrying the woman he loves, filled our hearts with so much joy. We have prayed for this day, and it was beautiful to witness God bringing two people together in His perfect timing.

May God grant Yana and Rares many blessed years together.

Last month, they celebrated the first part of their Orthodox betrothal, and this month they completed the second part with the crowning ceremony. It made me smile when I realized we shared the same wedding crowns. What a sweet little coincidence! 😊

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To be honest, though, this wedding day was a bit of an emotional roller coaster for me.

The two nights before the wedding had already been exhausting. One night was spent picking up a friend from the airport. The next day, we drove all the way to Orillia and then to Jimmy O. Yang's stand-up show, making it a full day out. I had slept only five or six hours each night, and by the wedding morning I was already running on empty.

Then came the coffee.

Hubby accidentally spilled coffee all over his Brooks Brothers shirt and the beige blazer that Mama had bought for him. I know accidents happen, but in that moment I couldn't help thinking it could have been avoided. My frustration quickly grew.

Then came the cigarette.

Then the joking that felt more like mocking. 

And finally... his wedding ring went missing.

Three incidents in one day.

Sigh.

Looking back, I realize those events were only sparks. The real fire was already inside my heart.

I prayed afterwards:

Lord, remind me that anger is fertile ground for the enemy. It feeds resentment and slowly hardens my little heart. Do not let bitterness take root in me.

Sadly, after the wedding celebration, things became so difficult between us that I ended up sleeping in my car for two nights.

Sometimes I ask myself difficult questions.

What if one day both of us become so tired that we simply want to walk away?

What if we both decide we've had enough?

A marriage that is supposed to be God-centred can so easily become self-centred. Instead of looking to Christ, we begin looking only at ourselves—our hurt, our emotions, our disappointments, our unmet expectations.

As human beings, giving up often feels easier than persevering. 

That is exactly why we need Him.

We need His forgiveness when ours runs out.

We need His loyalty when ours feels weak.

We need His love when ours feels conditional.

We need His patience when ours disappears.

We need His strength to keep choosing one another, even on the difficult days.

Marriage is sacred.

Marriage is holy.

Yet I so often forget that truth whenever anger clouds my eyes and my mind.

Lord, please remain at the centre of our marriage, even when we fail to keep You there ourselves.

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💒 Marija & Nikola’s Wedding Day

Today was Marija and Nikola’s wedding. It was a beautiful day with blue skies and no grey clouds anywhere. Hubby and I had a relatively lazy morning. We woke up slowly and then went to Mississauga. There, we met Alex’s family! I missed that little boy—he was still very cute. I also heard from Stef that he had been asking all day whether we would be there. 

The bride and groom’s entrance was still very touching for me. The crowning part symbolized that they were becoming the king and queen of their family kingdom starting from now on. May God grant you many years!

After that, we went for a quick dim sum (I think it’s better for me to keep some food in my bag next time to avoid getting too hungry and craving food!).

Then we went to a Serbian association banquet hall to attend the wedding reception. The vibe was extremely good, with lots of dancing and music. My left ear was ringing quite badly, though. I also did my usual silly dance moves.

I wish them a happily ever after. The first dance was impressive, with lots of stage effects like smoke, fireworks, and lights, which really caught my attention. We went back home at 11:30. What a great day we had!

I also hope our marriage grows even stronger, and that hubby and I will have a little Alex soon ^V^ YEAH!

🌿 A Day on Toronto Island

There are days that don’t feel planned — they simply unfold in the best possible way. Our Toronto Island trip was one of those days.

We started at the Jack Layton Ferry Terminal, stepping onto the ferry as the city slowly drifted behind us. The skyline stayed with us for a while across the water, especially the CN Tower standing tall in the distance. It felt like the city was gently fading out, while the island was quietly welcoming us in.

When we arrived at Centre Island, everything slowed down immediately. No traffic, no rush — just open paths, trees, and water on all sides. We didn’t follow any strict route. We just started walking.

And that’s the beauty of the island — you don’t really need a plan.

As we explored, we walked through different parts of the island, including Hanlan’s Point Beach and Ward’s Island. Each area felt different. Hanlan’s Point felt open and vast, with endless water and sky. Ward’s Island felt quieter, almost like a small hidden lakeside village inside the city.

What stayed with me the most was how often we could see the CN Tower from different directions. It felt like it was always there — surrounding us visually no matter where we walked, almost like the city was gently wrapped around our experience.

We didn’t realize how much we had walked until later in the day. By the time we were heading back to the ferry, we checked our steps and saw something surprising — around 23,000 steps.

It didn’t feel like exercise. It felt like discovery. One path, one bridge, one view at a time.

Before leaving the island, we stopped for a late lunch at The BBQ & Beer Co.. After hours of walking, sitting down for a meal felt incredibly rewarding — good food, tired legs, and the calm feeling of a day fully lived.

Later that evening, we joined a dear friend’s engagement celebration. It was a beautiful and emotional moment to witness — two people beginning a new chapter of life together. We were genuinely happy for him, and wished them a lifetime of love, patience, and happiness in their journey ahead. We also had a speical dinner at Louf. 

A Late Blog — Sam’s Wedding

Sam’s wedding was on Sunday, May 3rd. It already feels like a few weeks ago now, but I still remember it quite clearly.

It was a rainy, windy, freezing night — and only four days after we had just come back from Türkiye. Even with jet lag and the cold weather, we were really happy to be there and celebrate Sam and Zahra.

They really felt meant for each other.

The Wedding at Château Le Jardin

The wedding was at Château Le Jardin — a really nice and romantic venue. Even though the weather outside was awful, inside it felt warm, full of energy, and full of love.

We were also really happy to see Matthew and Olena there. The four of us took some nice photos together, which felt like a rare little reunion moment. Hubby also got to catch up with Matt, and it really reminded me again that in Toronto, friends can feel like family.

The Most Touching Moment

The most emotional part of the night was definitely the entrance.

Seeing Sam and Zahra walk in together, with everyone cheering them on, was honestly really touching. In that moment, everything else just faded — it was all about love, support, and celebration.

Even though it was freezing and rainy outside, inside it felt warm and full of love.

  

Turkey 2026 — A Once-in-a-Lifetime Journey of Two Families

There are some trips in life that are more than just travel. They become memories stitched into your heart forever. Our one-month journey in Türkiye felt exactly like that — precious, emotional, chaotic, funny, exhausting, healing, and deeply meaningful. It was not only a vacation, but a journey where two families slowly became one.

Even though there were tears, misunderstandings, tired moments, and occasional anger along the way, somehow those moments did not break us apart. Instead, they brought us closer together. Looking back now, I feel incredibly touched seeing how the bond between my parents and my in-laws grew throughout the trip. I also saw little changes in my husband’s relationship with Mama, and those small improvements meant a lot to me.

Week 1 — Istanbul: Waiting, Welcoming, and Laughter

The first week was spent in Istanbul. Hubby and I arrived earlier and spent the days settling in and preparing for my parents’ arrival. When Daddy and Mummy finally landed, Papa and Mama welcomed them with such warm hospitality. They took us around the city, introduced them to beautiful places, and even brought us to Michelin restaurants. Seeing both families sitting around the same table in a foreign country felt surreal.

One of the funniest parts was listening to Daddy trying to communicate in English. He was always enthusiastically introducing healthy products and supplements to my in-laws, but sometimes the words came out hilariously wrong. The best one was when he tried to say “kidney” but accidentally said “kidnap.” We laughed so hard that moment became one of the core memories of the trip.

We were able to visit Aunt Ayse in a hotel as she was working there. What a coincidence! 

We walked endlessly around Istanbul every day, exploring streets, mosques, cafés, and waterfronts. Somehow all that walking never felt tiring. 

Week 2 — Antalya: Family, Fresh Air, and Home

We then took a domestic flight to Antalya and stayed at my husband’s home. The fresh air, sea view, and peaceful atmosphere felt completely different from Istanbul. Mumm Daddy often went to the mall near my hubby's home. 

Besides that, we were also able to visit the organic fruit bazaar. I especially loved the bananas and the sweet red peppers — they were so fresh and full of flavour.

Most importantly, we were finally able to meet Granny. Some evenings were spent quietly at my in-laws’ home, sharing breakfasts and dinners together. Those moments were simple, but they were the moments that truly felt like family. We were able to do dental cleaning and lump removal for hubby. I was so so so happy!!! 

Week 3 — Our Little Honeymoon Escape at Seven Seas

After spending so much time together as one big family, Week 3 became a quieter chapter for hubby and me. We checked into Seven Seas Hotel Life and finally had a little space to ourselves while the parents could also rest and enjoy their own pace. It honestly felt like a second honeymoon.

For an entire week, life became incredibly simple — waking up slowly, swimming under the hot sun, eating endless amounts of food, enjoying massages, and walking by the sea at night. After so much traveling and family coordination, this was the moment where hubby and I could finally breathe a little and just enjoy being husband and wife.

One of my favorite memories was sitting at the seaside night bar with drinks in hand, listening to the waves and watching the lights reflect on the water. It felt peaceful in a way that is hard to describe.Returning Home Again

After the resort stay, we returned to hubby’s home for three more nights. During those days, we met Uncle and his family, had a tea ceremony together, and spent more time gathering as one big family.

I also loved shopping for tableware and kitchenware for hubby’s home. Somehow buying little household items made me feel more connected to our married life there.

Week 4— Pamukkale & Cappadocia & Few More Days in Antayla— Beautiful, Exhausting, Emotional

We later travelled to Pamukkale and visited the ancient Roman theatre. The steep climb almost defeated Daddy completely. He eventually gave up walking downhill because it was simply too difficult on his legs and back. That was one of the moments I suddenly realized how much older my parents were getting.

Then came the long drive — almost 6–7 hours — to Cappadocia. I had a long chat with Mummy in the car about my niece and brother, as well as some of Daddy’s less healthy routines. I found myself simply being her listener in that moment. I still remember that Daddy and Mummy kindly got chocolate and sandwiches for me and hubby on the way to Cappadocia, and I even passed my hot chocolate to Oya, our tour guide. She had been with us for all three excursions — Olympos, Pamukkale, and this Cappadocia trip. She was very kind and professional, and I truly wish her all the best in her career..

The weather there was terrible, and unfortunately we could not ride the hot air balloons. Mummy and Daddy were disappointed… although hilariously, before arriving they had both insisted they did not even want to go up in the first place. Daddy somehow managed to walk four stories down in the underground city, and afterward his thighs and back were completely destroyed. Watching him struggle physically made me emotional. One afternoon while walking through the valley, I held Daddy’s hand and quietly cried a little. Time suddenly felt very real to me.

We bought hot air balloon keychains for friends, and I picked two knitted ones for Matthew and Sam. Honestly, I should have bought more. And one thing I will forever miss from Türkiye: the fresh pomegranate juice. I drank it constantly throughout the trip and nothing in Canada tastes the same.

We stayed in a beautiful stone cave hotel with a jacuzzi inside the room. The atmosphere felt magical.

Week 5— Final Days in Istanbul — Departure

After Cappadocia, we returned once more to Istanbul. The flight from Cappadocia to Istanbul was only about an hour. Mummy kept saying she regretted choosing the road journey instead of flying from Antalya, as she felt quite nauseous and had motion sickness during the long drive. It was simply too long and tiring for her. By then, we were all feeling a bit exhausted after several intense travel days. My parents only had four days left before flying home, and around the same time. One night, it was rainy, windy, and freezing. Everyone went out to celebrate Papa’s birthday at a nearby restaurant. It was a meat restaurant, chosen because they remembered that Daddy enjoys meat — something people might not have known, as he rarely gets to enjoy it back in our home city. My mother-in-law unfortunately twisted her ankle.

Thankfully, we were still able to celebrate Mother’s Day together. We took a boat across the sea to the Asian side and spent the day wandering around together. Every single day during the trip, we walked at least 7,000+ steps, sometimes much more. Physically, I felt amazing. We also visited the Spice Bazaar, where Mummy was able to pick up some spices she loved, and we travelled around landmarks like Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque.

 

That final evening before their departure felt especially emotional. Papa and Mama even brought Daddy and Mummy out for kebab earlier in the day, and afterward we spent time together at home before heading to the airport around 10 p.m. Inside the car, I held Daddy and Mummy’s hands tightly and cried so much. I did not want them to leave.

Week 6 — One More Week With Papa & Mama for hubby and I

After my parents departed, hubby and I stayed another six days in Istanbul with Papa and Mama.

Those quieter days became incredibly precious too. I was able to sit with Mama in cafés, drink hot chocolate together, and simply talk. We celebrated Mother’s Day again with my brother-in-law at a beautiful restaurant called Jie in Fişekhane — honestly one of the most fantastic places I discovered during this trip.

We also visited the military residence and explored Balat, the colorful old Orthodox neighborhood full of history and charm.

This trip reminded me that family relationships are never perfect. There will always be tension, misunderstandings, tiredness, and emotional moments when people spend an entire month together.

But love grows through those moments too.

This journey gave me memories I know I will carry for the rest of my life — Daddy’s funny English mistakes, Mama’s warmth, Papa’s hospitality, Granny’s presence, long walks through Istanbul, fresh pomegranate juice, sea nights in Antalya, and the feeling of holding my parents’ hands a little tighter because I suddenly realized time moves too fast.

I miss this trip so, so much already.

Chapter 36: Grace in the Middle of Uncertainty

 Two days before my 36th birthday, I received some “bad” news from my hubby — his contract will be ending this month, six months earlier than expected.

At first, it felt unsettling. The unknown always does. But at the same time, deep in my heart, I felt peace… and even joy.

For so long, he has been in a job he didn’t truly enjoy. Maybe this early ending is not a loss, but a release. A door closing so that better ones can open. I’m grateful he can finally take a break, breathe, and hopefully find time for himself — to rest, to dream again, to rediscover what makes him come alive.

Next month, we’re heading to Turkey for a month! And the biggest joy — Mum and Dad will be there too. I still can’t believe we will see each other again so soon after our wedding, just seven months later. What a blessing! My heart is already counting down the days. ✈️

On my birthday morning, hubby treated himself to a massage at Lan Beauty. We were running late, so sadly I didn’t get mine. But the day still unfolded beautifully. We had dim sum and wandered around First Markham Place, soaking in the busy, lively atmosphere. Later, we went to Go Place — it was so crowded! Yet God’s mercy truly shines in the smallest details. A staff member named Karen kindly helped us and even gave me a birthday massage pass and two free drinks. I felt so seen and cared for.

Hubby also surprised me with a Korean chocolate cake on the day itself. And on February 26, Dorothy, Catherine, Anne, and Carmen surprised me with an Oreo cake. I am so loved. So spoiled. So thankful.

Thirty-six feels different.

This year, I pray for miracles — especially the quiet miracle in my belly. May God grant us a little “bubu” and gently lead us into parenthood. I don’t know what this year will bring — new jobs, new journeys, new challenges — but I know Who walks with us.

And that is enough.

Here’s to faith over fear.
Here’s to unexpected blessings.
Here’s to 36. 💛