Our Story
Our journey started May 14, 2007. We bet you know what had transpired on that day as well... yeah, got it right, local elections, hehehe... *wink* And as for us, it was not just an important day that changed the history of the Filipino people. That day changed our entire lives, and the history of two souls destined to be together forever. (FYI: 2010 is election year ulit, harharhar..:D)
Chapter 1: Campus Stories
FYI: Rhyan=professor; Jonah=his student
It was the final trimester of her last year when Jonah first met Rhyan in the university. It was no ordinary set-up, she was a student, and he was her professor in Communications Systems Analysis and Design in ECE. She's with her ex that time and there was no way that these two would have that sparks on their first meeting. Rhyan wasn't their class' professor for that subject supposedly. Only by some twist of fate (we call it destiny), that the supposedly professor isn't available on the designated schedule of that subject. Rhyan, a part time professor then was offered by the Area Coordinator to take over the subject on a different time though to fit in his part time schedule (after his work in ABC-5). The AC talked to the key persons in the class, and one of them was Jonah. Her group approved and there it was, 15th of January 2007, when the two souls got a hold of seeing and meeting each other in their first class.
Nothing so significant as there it is during the first couple of months, only a professor-student relationship that also shared in a blooming friendship (their age gaps weren't that big, she was turning 20, he turning 24). Merely Friendster friends, small talks whenever there are chances. Not until April 2007 came, Rhyan went on his long-awaited vacation in Hongkong. It was also the day of Jonah's final project defense. They weren't able to see each other that day before he left. After several days he called up to one of his students just to relay some exam related information. Rhyan asked to let him talk to Jonah. He just extended his greetings for her upcoming birthday, few simple talks before saying goodbye.
Chapter 2: Telepono
Our special thanks to Sun Cellular for the opportunity to enjoy unlimited talk time.
Come vacation, just several days before her graduation. Rhyan, at that time, remembered Jonah and as he held on to his newly purchased Sun Cellular SIM card, thought of calling her just to say hello, as well as re-establish a friendship with her after quite a long time of not seeing each other. From then on, it was a daily routine of him to call her everyday after work. He also paid a visit on her home and meet her family. It was the start of a blooming friendship. Slowly, professor-student relationship was replaced by being good friends. Their everyday conversations turned out to be a way to go deeper in each other's lives.
And then she graduated. She had started a new life. Single and looking forward to another chapter of welcoming the new world outside school. Rhyan, by that time, has started a new chapter in his career, went on training for ROV piloting bound for USA. No one in their former circle of family in the university knew the on-goings in their newly found life with each other. May 12, 2007: They had a good dose of a whole day just being together, morning with him in his swimming lessons, afternoon went on inquiring in a review center, and the rest of the day in her home. After a few chit-chats, same laughs and just being comfortable with each other, time suddenly stopped, she was left awestruck and speechless. He kissed her.
Chapter 3: Three Words
Jonah had her longest day as she walked along the shores of Quezon beach during the family outing. Thought of that memorable night, her feelings, the turn-about and situation that she is going through at that time, and the bigger world she is up now that she has graduated. She thought of Rhyan, and what would be a future with him, and without him. It was a major decision in her life that she needed to make soon. The day had ended with the answer of the Lord kept in her heart. She was nervous, and yet undeniably she knew and acknowledge the peace in her heart. She is ready.
May 14: Rhyan was about to proceed to Bataan that afternoon for his training. He asked, for the last time before he leaves, to spend the entire morning with her and talk about the things about them. They went to Quezon City Circle, where they spent a few hours just to gather more memories to cherish while he was away. He brought up again that same words Jonah has been thinking about when she was contemplating. "Sana bago ako umalis, magkaroon ako ng kasiguraduhan na merong magaantay sa akin. Sana ikaw na nga ang maging inspirasyon ko habang nasa training ako. Pangako ko, babalik ako para sa'yo..". And then he said "I love you.". At that point, she knew the answer. Trembling, she said "I love you too..".
Chapter 4: Our Journey
Times of ups and downs...getting stronger everyday.
Getting into a serious relationship, likewise coming from an "intriguing" background, made our love story exciting to narrate. Our beginning reached the whole ECE community in the university, with almost all the professors (even the dean), the student population, friends and family. They shared with us the amazement of wondering how we, previously professor-student, came to a point that we will share in this life together. Many also had raised brows and doubted, and yet many also were very much happy and wished us good things in our relationship.
As for us, the everyday course of our journey together was filled with talks, laughs and adventures (and misadventures as well..:p). Fairytale as it seem, the prince had kissed his princess awake, and now he is showing her around a beautiful kingdom that he is building for them. Yet as withheld in fairytales, we faced the same struggles and challenges as couples do - fights, arguments, misunderstandings. By God's graces we were able to surpass all of them and continued to become stronger and more firm in our love and commitment to each other.
Distance has became one of the major challenges we faced. Rhyan is working abroad and for some months we weren't able to be with each other. Constant emails, text messages if possible, were some of the things we try to keep up with to compensate for the miles and times apart. We can't deny that at one point this situation took its toll to our relationship.
Sad to narrate, we came to a point in our journey that we almost gave up. That was the time when arguments keep on piling up with no resolution each time because we became so tired of fighting and fighting. That was our darkest moment. Tired and broken, we decided to lead separate lives.
Chapter 5: If Ever You're in My Arms Again...
"...this time, I'll hold you forever. This time will never end."
True enough, love is sweeter the second time around, and in deeper sense, love is stronger than any other thing in this world. We left those dark memories, only took the lessons in our hearts for us to carry and apply. We had humble beginnings again, and God shone upon us His warmest sunshine of blessings and more love for each other. We healed, and everyday we felt that we are stronger. Love has overcome our iniquities. We are reunited in our commitment, in deeper and more meaningful sense.
Come September 6, 2008. We attended a Wedding Fair in PICC. Marriage was welcomed in serious consideration during that time that's why we decided to sort of start with our preparations. January 16, 2010 popped in through the answer of the Lord in our prayer several days before the event, seeking His will that we may came up with a date before attending. As previously told, we first met January 15, and the date that God had given was close to that. To continue, we had several bookings that afternoon, enjoyed the event, and called it such a wonderful experience.
Chapter 6: The Ring
Hindi ito scary movie, basahin mo na lang...*wink*
Little did Jonah knew, Rhyan was up for something that particular night after attending the wedding expo. She was surprised when he hired a cab without telling her where they were going. In 30 minutes or so, the cab stopped in front of City Garden Hotel in Makati. Still no hint of anything so spectacular for that evening, actually hinted of some sort of celebration because that day was their first official and serious wedding preps, she went with him up on the roofdeck.
It was a sumptuous dinner served in candlelight. A set-up beside the poolside, romantic music, gentle breeze and a wonderful view of the city, they shared a night of reliving their dreams, of promises being made, and he even described that surprise as something just for them to "relax" from all the things that made them tired over the past weeks.
Dessert was served, close to finally calling it a night when all of a sudden, just after the waiter handed the bouquet to her, down on bended knee,
Rhyan: "Ayaw ko na mag-end ang araw na ito ng ganun na lang. Gusto ko, magkaroon ng kabuluhan sa atin itong unang araw ng pagpprepare para sa kasal na ipinagppray natin. Gaya ng pangako ko, at sa itinagal ng pagppray ko kay Lord kung kailan, finally, sinagot Niya na. Hon, Will you marry me..?"
Completely speechless, surprised and in tears, she said yes, thus making the prayed-for date and their wedding preparations, official.
