The day I became Misus Santiago

Created by faith,
Powered by love,
Fueled by the passion
Of two imperfect individuals
Wanting to make each other's existence
Almost perfect.

Built hopefully and with God's grace to last forever.

Wish to be together,
Dream that to be forever,
Make god-fearing children of the world,
Serve the country the best way we can
And grow old and happy together.

This is our hope as lovers and parents.

I don't even know how to begin
But I know we've got a good thing going on...

For some, maybe our love story is typical.

We met thru my younger sister. When I was about to give up because things are not really working out for me -- finding someone to spend the rest of my life with -- I met him. He, on the other, has sorta given up finding that one -- when he met me. He joked that he was already ok being alone with his parents for life until I came into his life. We dated for 3 months before we became officially a couple. That was on May 17, 2008, around 2am at Seventy Seven Cafe, Kamuning. While the rest of the people are ending their day with a night drink, we were starting ours with a promise.

Starting out as a couple is really hard work. There are issues of time and time and time. We have both erratic schedules. I'm in the broadcasting industry while he is from the BPO industry. Open 24/7. On call even on weekends and holidays. But we managed to hold the fort and gave each other the much needed support when the going gets tough at work (which is a lot). Like every couple on earth, we made plans for the future, we talked about what it would feel like to wake up everyday with each other, and be together come high tide or low tide. But it was just talk, purely an exchange of loving words that we hope would one day come true.

That day was realized on November 18, 2009, the day after our 18th monthsary, he gave me the most romantic and priceless gift a woman could ask for -
a pledge that we can translate our dreams into a reality. We were engaged!

How did it happen... it goes a little something like this:

He said: I can't promise na magiging perfect husband ako or perfect father. Hindi rin naman ako perfect boyfriend. And I'm not sure I'll be a perfect fiance. But I love you so much Joan. Will you marry me?

She said: Hala! Of course, I will marry you and I love you too.

Proposing while walking in the corridor between my office and another office.

While this was happening. There were also some of the following:
walking hand in hand
kneeling
tears
cold hands and feet
hugging & kissing with overflowing love

And it felt good. And it felt real.

This much I know is true, that God blessed the broken road that led us straight to each other.

Now, the future is no longer out of reach. It's within our grasp. We had a simple celebration of love with family and the closest of friends last August 14, 2010 - the day we took the vow to be as one.

Together with the people who have made us who we are today, who have blessed the broken roads, crooked streets that we have taken leading to each other. Those people who love us and wish us well.