Saturday, January 25, 2014

The Proposal


We have this very long boyfriend-girlfriend relationship, and when we say long, we mean looooong! Anyway, a lot of people are asking us why not get married already since we’re in the right age and with stable careers. We can say that we're still enjoying work, our going-outs and not yet really ready to have a family. Jen was the one who’s making "kulit" to Jay about it and during an unexpected event, the long wait is over, Jay proposed to Jen on June 28, 2012. 

Here's the copy of Jay's script for his proposal to Jen:
It has already been 27 years since the Lord had brought you into this world. 27 years of blessings to your family, 27 years of caring to the ones you love, 27 years of happiness to your friends and 27 years of kindness to the people that surrounds you. Of those 27 years, I’m fortunate and blessed to have been part of its 12 years.
It has already been 12 years since the day we first met, a moment when my world stood still and everything feels like it’s in slow motion. It seems that your every move takes my breath away. Since then, everything had changed, from the way I talk, the way I move, the way I dress, the way I study, the way I work, all of it contributed to what I am today, a better and a more matured person. And all of this is because of that one moment when you decided to walk the same path with me.
All the happiness, the fun, the sorrows, the hardships, the trials and tribulations that we shared, honed us and prepared us to whatever God planned for us. Every problem, every conflict, every petty quarrels were given to us to test the strength of our relationship. And I’m proud to say that we have weathered it all, we stood our ground, we believe in each other and trusted each other.
I can still remember one of my answer to your question of why the need to be in a girlfriend-boyfriend relationship. I remember saying, “so that you’ll have someone to share the rest of your life with, someone who will always be there through thick or thin”. In life, relationship grows deeper and more personal, from a stranger to a friend, from a friend to a very close friend, from a very close friend to being part of the family. And the driver of this growth is love. But before you love someone, you must know the person from the inside-out. The more you spend time with this person, the more your love grows.
However, in a relationship, loving is not the only requirement for it to grow, you need to learn sacrifice. You’ll have to sacrifice your wants, sometimes your needs and most especially your time to make your loved ones happy and contented. And to venture into a relationship, you must accept the fact that it’s not always going to be smooth sailing. You have to learn to brace yourself for the rough seas. Once you know and have accepted these facts then that’s the time that you’re ready to take on this voyage.
I believe that with all the things that we went through and the 12 years that we shared together, I know that this is the right moment to ask you:
Will you marry me?
Jen is not fond of grandiose jewelry like a diamond ring, she’s just a simple girl who is satisfied wearing fancy cheap jewelries. The reason why she’s not always wearing the ring plus a lot more practical reasons… So on June 29, 2013, Jay proposed to Jen again during a surprise picnic at La Mesa Eco Park (Jen loves picnic and it’s actually a dream come true for Jen to have an exclusive picnic with Jay). Jay gave Jen another ring which really reflects Jen as a person. 

Will there be a third proposal just to secure Jay’s presence on 040414??? :D

Enjoying Boracay

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Davao Adventures

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Fernbrook Gardens (Official Engagement Photoshoot)

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Sunday, January 12, 2014

Our Love Story

HIS STORY:
Back in high school, I've been through a lot of heart-aches because I've been rejected so many times (lost my count) of girls that I've tried to court even the ones that I'm not really courting. I vaguely remember my classmate telling me: "Kawawa ka naman pre, hindi ka na yata magkaka-girlfriend. Madadagdagan na naman ang mangbabasted sayo". Let's just say that I was already numb to the feeling of rejection, so I continued to hunt for that missing piece in my life. My friend and I always sit near the entrance door of the main hall of our school during breaks. That place became my scouting ground. I've listed a number of my prospects and then we do our research - names, addresses, contact numbers, relationship status, etc. During one of our scouting moment, a thin, white complexion, short hair, with big round eyes, wearing a killer smile walked in front of us. I remember telling my friend, "Pre, parang bumagal yung ikot ng mundo ah. Sino yun?". Then my friend told me that she was a third-year student running for a position in the student council. Since she was sort of a public-figure, it was not hard to find information about her and I even got her home phone number by sneaking behind our teacher's back and peeked on her student records. And so the love-letter writing, gift-giving, and phone calling started. It took me several months of doing this method of courting before I got the chance to ride with her in a tricycle going home from school. And then on April 3, 2000, on one of our usual phone conversations, she finally said "YES" when I asked her if she will be my girlfriend.

Throughout our 13-year relationship, like a normal couple, we also had our ups and downs. But one thing that I'm very proud of, is that we never had a so called "break up". I think the bond that kept us together is the fact that we are both Christians and we attend the same church. She became not only my lover, but also a friend, a confidant, a travel buddy, and most of all, a prayer partner. I believe, Jen is God's will for me.

HER STORY:

I remember back in high school, Jay’s classmate always corners me in the corridor to give me stuffed-toys and love letters. Almost every day during our Asian History class, Jay’s friends will knock at our classroom and will deliver gifts like message in a bottle, stuffed-toys, flowers, chocolates etc. I can say he’s a very generous and patient manliligaw hehehe. He will call me at our land line despite of the long distance charges! (I’m living in Valenzuela and Jay is residing at Meycauayan Bulacan). I’m such a naughty girl, I made Jay do difficult things in my favor, things I don’t want to recall because it makes me think how bad I am during those days  (evil laugh). As nililigawan, I have my simple qualifications, he should be a
  • Christian (no need for a Bible geek, a God-fearing person will do)
  • Intelligent (no need to be an honor student, 90% average is ok, just kidding)
  • Kind, faithful and loving (NO MORE, NO LESS)
Jay easily passed my first and second qualifications. But it took time for him to prove my third criteria. I just found myself enjoying his stories, loving his company and missing him whenever he did not make ‘paramdam.’ He became my inspiration and my avid supporter in all my school activities and projects from high school to college. He is my travel buddy, my eating chum, my shopping pal, my movie mate and most especially my prayer partner. Jay, he is God’s will for me!