Our Story
This is how it all started. And the rest, as they say, is history...
Dwight says...
The first time I met Ria was in my 2nd year High School and we have been in the same class since then. We both have different circle of friends, so we seldom talked or noticed each other. In our fourth year, most of us, if not all, applied in the University of the Philippines. Few months after its entrance examination, the results were in and Ria, to my surprise, also passed. Both of us will be staying in UP Baguio. Coincidence maybe? Who knows? It was really exciting to know that a fellow classmate will be going to the same campus. Few months shortly, my family was having financial difficulties and I couldn’t bear to become another burden for my parents by pursuing my studies in UP. My PUP exam result then arrived just a week short of our plan on going up north to enroll in UP Baguio. Even though I really wanted to go to UP, I decided to pursue my degree in PUP, in which the tuition fee is way cheaper than UP, and this would help my parents ease their financial crisis. Five years had passed, I completed my computer engineering degree with honors and secured a job afterwards.
I was then earning and a thought came to me. There was something missing and I couldn’t put my finger on it. One day, Ria sent me a text message asking if I could go to her house just to accompany her. I didn’t have the chance to go to as I was someplace else. But why would she ask me to accompany her? Curiosity amused me and I soon found out that one of our high school friends was courting her. Our friend was paying Ria a visit and she wanted me to join them so they won’t feel awkward. So what’s with Ria that everybody I know became interested in her? I thought I needed to find out.
I was invited by our common friend to celebrate his passing the board exam and I decided it was the perfect time to invite Ria to come as I haven’t seen her for years. She accepted my invitation but she came late that night. But wow! This is not the same Ria I used to know and see. She’s more mature and she’s stunningly beautiful. No wonder why many were interested in her.
I started to know her better. She’s good at everything she does, the silent type, homebody, intelligent, independent, witty, funny, God fearing, thrifty, simple, lovable, and understanding type of person. You can say that beauty, brains, and good attitude altogether in one package. She has all the qualities that I like in a woman. I expressed to her, in many ways possible, how much I like her. The courting process, as I know it, lasted for several months.
One early morning while I was in the office, I received a text message from her saying “I feel the same way.” What could those words mean? I gave her a call to ask but she won’t give me any clearer answer and she told me she needed to sleep as she just got back from her night shift. I was amazed but didn’t want to assume anything special out of those words. That same night, I decided to visit her. She told me that I was silly not realizing what she have been meaning to tell me. So it’s all clear and official to me, I was just ecstatic at that very moment.
Since then, it has been a wonderful feeling. We’ve been to many places and being with her is just amazing. I couldn’t ask for more.
After more than four years, we’ve experienced ups and downs that rocked our relationship but that made us stronger. It’s been a wonderful journey and I thank God for keeping us together. And now that we’re tying the knot, I’m looking forward to another chapter of our lives. The same feeling I had when I got those words, “I feel the same way” and this time I will receive the words not by text message but with God witnessing us saying, “I do”.
Ria says...
Life is simply unpredictable. Who would have thought a typical whiz kid will catch the fancy of an ordinary, low key girl belonging to the same high school class? If you ask Dwight “How do you find Ria back in your HS years?” he’ll say “Si Ria? Hindi ko nga sya napapansin nun eh.”
Probably I was too distant mostly from my male classmates and wanted to stick with my all-girl circle of friends. I was not a popular girl in school and not too active with academics and out-of-class activities. That’s why Dwight rarely noticed me... Until I passed UPCAT and that’s when he realized I exist, I exist with wits that could give a run for his money (and heart!).
Dwight and I were the only two students from our high school to attend the same UP campus. Things didn’t go as planned though as he pursued his studies someplace else. So I ended up going to UP Baguio alone, all by myself, no one else but me, out in the college world where everyone else was a total stranger to me. And Dwight spent his fine, happy and productive college years in PUP along with his long-time friends from high school. Well, that’s ok, no hard feelings, we’re not close anyway so no big deal I guess!
Little did I know that God had more exciting plans in store for us, maybe that's why He let us part ways. That when the time is right, we would cross our paths again…
College life was a turning point for both of us. I had my first boyfriend and he had his first, second, third girlfriend. =) We both had our fair share of heartaches and experienced disappointment. We would still see each other once in a while but just the same, we remained civil and didn’t bother to see each other as someone more than a friend.
We finished our studies, landed our first job and still, there was no slightest evidence of romance that sparked between us. Maybe at that stage, we were still mending our hearts from our previous relationships and trying to compose ourselves before we get into another commitment.
I enjoyed being single and was a bit nasty to guys who were pushy, conceited and persistent of their affection. Although, I have found myself very comfortable with Dwight. He remained on my side constantly as a friend. I knew from the start that his intentions are true and sincere. He’s someone who can genuinely express his emotions without trying too hard. He’s a man of few words but he managed to send his “message” across. One thing I like about him, among many other things I like, is he doesn’t expect anything in return, he will do things unconditionally. Needless to say, that made Dwight outshined the rest.
Valentine’s day of 2006 when he gave ourselves a pair of “promise” ring. I was deeply touched realizing he can be really full of surprises. The day we started wearing this special bond, I knew we were heading into something worth a lifetime.
A year later and we stepped into yet another turning point of our lives. Living in Australia together was a challenging decision not only for us but for our parents as well. Our first year in a foreign country with everything new around was a huge and difficult transition. Not to mention those unforeseen adventures. We thank God for looking after us and keeping us together amidst all trials. We learned so much about each other that will surely come in handy as soon as we embrace the married life. We both love to cook (and quite good at it!), we enjoy movie marathon at home, and we compliment each other’s strengths and weaknesses. He’d say he’s lucky to have me in his life, but he just doesn’t know I’m hundred times luckier to have him in my life.
As our very special day draws nearer, I am at ease looking into the future, spending and nurturing my time with Dwight. Despite all the setbacks, God will make it easier for both of us. We’ve made it through all these years; we will continue to make it for all the years ahead.
