By: Misty Granil

"The events in our lives are not there to break us, but to make us who we are meant to be."

 Shanaine has never been one to bask in the glory for the things she has accomplished. She always questioned her capabilities, felt lacking in all that she was, and felt the need to do more to feel enough. She does not usually spend a lot of time reminiscing, but after having a special moment with God a few months ago, before she turned 18, she realized it's important to reflect on what life has to offer, to celebrate the wins and take lessons from adversities. It's amazing how small her world used to be - so small and insignificant compared to today. All the silly little things that used to be so important seem so insignificant now when she thinks back on them.

 Shanaine used to be someone who tried so hard to always be kind, obedient, and optimistic. She was so insecure about her appearance, her academic performance, and her relationship with her peers that she had to fake it, hoping the rest of the world would not see it.

Fortunately, her life got better sometime after she turned 18 - she does not know exactly how it happened, but certainly with His grace she reached a point where she was content with everything she had and everything she once was, realizing that this made her who she is today.

 Vulnerability is Strength 

When Shanaine was at her lowest point, she thought she could never rise to the challenge of life and come back from it the same as before. But then something happened that made her realize that there is more to her than meets the eye. Shanaine was able to see past her own limitations and focus on what makes her special instead of feeling inadequate. She also realized that it's okay to be vulnerable, because from vulnerability comes strength and from strength comes confidence.

Shanaine believes that everyone has their own struggles, but we should never let those struggles define us: Instead of letting our hardships stop us, we should let them inspire us to come back stronger than ever!

Every day counts

When asked what she would miss about her teen years, Shanaine replied, "What I miss most about my teen years is the privilege of free time. When I was a kid, I felt like I had all the time in the world to play and hang out with my friends. The future seemed so far away, so serious career planning was not my priority. Now I feel like there has to be a deadline for everything, which makes hanging out with friends a little harder than it was back then because everyone is trying to make it past the deadline."

Shanaine has always wanted to be with someone who is God-fearing, family-oriented and goal-oriented. She believes that someone who is God-centered is a good person who will treat her and her loved ones with love and respect. Her boyfriend embodies the three qualities she mentioned. She reciprocates the love she feels for him. He cares deeply for her, inspires her and helps her become a better person every day, and reminds her that she is always loved.

God as a guide

Shanaine believes in what her father always tells her, "’Do your best and God will take care of the rest.’ This helps me to persevere as much as I can, to do everything I can, so I know in myself that I did everything I could and that I will not have any regrets afterwards. After I have done all I could, God will do the rest and whatever the result would be His will. My mother said to me, ‘If you ever encounter a problem and you don’t know what to do, always think of doing what is right. Always do good wherever God is.’ I use that a lot because I usually have a hard time deciding. My decision becomes clearer when I am reminded of this advice.”

A Night of Enchantment

There is no feeling quite like the joy of being a debutante. "At my debut, I felt like a princess. The whole event was a surprise to me because I did not know the flow of the program beforehand - I only knew the 18 segments and the theme. It was also heartwarming to see all my loved ones and friends there to celebrate my special day. Thanks to my parents, I enjoyed the event so much. I am very grateful to them for their efforts in giving me a wonderful celebration." Shanaine shared.

Celebrating a Milestone

"I am so thankful for everyone who made my birthday celebration possible. It was wonderful to be surrounded by so many people who love me, and their messages reminded me of the many blessings in my life. I appreciate all 18 segments because each person involved showed me how much they care for me. As a person whose primary language of love is words of affirmation, their messages made me feel seen and heard - and reminded me that I am loved and worthy of love.

I also enjoyed reminiscing with my family and friends as we shared memories throughout the program. Hearing their voices again brought back so many fond memories of our childhood.

Two gifts in particular have stuck in my mind. One of them is the big box of Kinder Bueno, because that is my favorite chocolate. I was also very happy to receive the boxes of Instax films, because I love taking pictures and capturing memories."

Shanaine cannot wait to see what's in store for her. She is excited, but also nervous about the new chapter in her life. "Growing up" will be a challenge, but she knows she can handle it as long as she has her family and friends by her side. And of course, as long as she puts her trust in God.