My Greatest Gift Through Good and Tough Times

My husband Manolo “Boy” Fetalvero is overly protective and loving. I affectionately refer to him as my BoyFet. A blessed peacemaker, he is always humble to make peace whenever we have any misunderstanding - he is first to apologize regardless of who is wrong.    

Boy Fetalvero. Photo by Doods

Boy’s faith in God is made stronger by his passionate service in the RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) Ministry to bring others to know and love Jesus. When I was diagnosed with lung cancer in October 2019, he never thought of keeping it to ourselves. He announced it to the community so that our brothers and sisters can pray for me. His faith is so much greater than his fears that he firmly believes in the power of prayer, giving me the courage to fight this illness.

As we approach our 27th year of blissful marriage, I realized nothing has changed in the way he loves me. This reminds me of God’s word in Jeremiah 31:3 “I have loved you with an everlasting love and so I still maintain my faithful love for you”. He still wakes me up with hugs and kisses every morning. He still kisses and hugs me goodnight every night. He still gazes at me with so much admiration and respect (despite me losing my hair because of the treatment). He still holds my hand whenever we go out or at home sitting in front of the TV. 

Doods and Boy Fetalvero. Photo by Doods

Our three observant sons, Nathaniel, Ezekiel & Gabriel, who were raised in a home full of love and happiness, quickly picked up this virtue of thoughtful love and care from their dad since childhood. As young men I can see Boy’s traits in them. I honour Boy for role modelling to our sons what a true gentleman after God’s heart should be.  

“And so, maybe,  one day”, as Pope Francis said, “you will go through the streets and people will say: ‘Just look at that woman, so beautiful, so strong! …It’s the husband she has, you know.’” And when that happens, I will proudly say,  “It is my beloved BoyFet, you know!”