Our Story
The Proposal
April 18, 2008...our 4th year anniversary. We both had work. We didn't plan to go on vacation leave because we're scheduled to leave for Bicol (Summer get-away with our Saturday Club friends) in the evening. My shift starts at 2.50am and Chad at 3.30am. Richard arrived at 2.20am to fetch me to office. When I went inside the car, I had with me my surprise gift for him.
Rissa: Happy anniversary! (Then handed him a paper bag)
Chad: Wow! May gift ako?!!! (Excitingly opened the bag)
Rissa: Syempre! (Waiting for Chad to see the gift)
Chad: Wow! Transformers! (Still in shock!) Thank you! (Now opened the lights to get a full view of his new collection)
After about 5minutes of looking and smiling at his new toy.
Chad: Ako din may gift sa'yo
Rissa: Ha? Akala ko wala kang money kasi ikaw magbabayad ng Bicol Trip
(Weeks prior to our anniversary, Chad already told me that he has no gift for me due to budget constraints.)
Chad: Syempre meron para sa baby ko (Chad trying to reach his gift)
He then showed me a box...And so I was excited!
Rissa: (Oh my gosh! This is it! I think he's about to propose)
Chad: (Handed a red box) For you...
Rissa: (Very excited to open the box. Then finally saw a 1 1/2" x 1 1/2" fake diamond) Ano 'to?!!!?? (Medyo bad trip, kinda disappointed)
Chad: Joke lang! (Smiling..then handed another box)
Chad: WILL YOU MARRY ME?
Rissa: (Ano daw?!!!?? Waaah! Joke ba ulit 'to? To make sure I opened the box first, then I realized that indeed he really is proposing) OF COURSE!
He then took the ring and wore it on my left finger.
Richard's proposal was well supported by his family. His whole family supported him by going with him to My Diamond to buy the ring. The fake diamond?!!?? The idea came from his younger brother, Ryan.
Richard originally planned to propose in Mayon Volcano. He knew that I'll very much like the idea if he'll propose in front of this volcano. His original plan didn't push through because he's afraid that Mayon Volcano will not be in perfect shape when we get there (that happened when we first went there).
The proposal was perfect. Fun. Unique. Memorable. Love filled. And most of all, witnessed by just the two of us.
(Check out photo galleries for more pics!)
It all started here...
Siga Youth Camp. 2004. One of the most unforgettable (for us!) events in YFC and SFC because this is where it all started. We first saw each other in one of the meetings held at Tito Nilo's (CFC) place in F. Ortigas, Mandaluyong City. We weren't introduced so we never talked. Another meeting for the camp was set at Tito Nilo's place, Richard gave a talk. I was impressed. Again, we weren't introduced.
Siga Youth Camp came and we saw each other again. He's in charged to be one of the speakers. Everyone listened. He's really good at this. After he has given his talk, he sat, joined his YFC friends and listened to the next speaker. While everyone was listening to the talk, one of his YFC friends handed me a flower (picked from the garden!) and said:
YFC Friend: "Pinapabigay ni Richard!". I was in shocked and just said:
Rissa: "Thank you :-)"
Days after the camp, I received a text message from Richard. He got it from one of my co-SFC sisters (Mickey) and that started the friendship.
True enough, God will lead you to the right man. I didn't expect that the friendship we had will lead to a relationship.
***Until now, Richard still denies that he prompted his friends to hand me the flower.
Thanks to Richard's YFC friend!
