Our Love Story

Once Upon a Pandemic Time…

Once upon a pandemic time, a beautiful love story quietly began.

Shafni’s boardmate shared her Facebook account with Carlos. With a simple, “Hi, Ma’am,” Carlos sent his first message. Little did they know that those two words would open the door to a beautiful journey. From simple conversations, they began talking, laughing, and sharing secrets slowly becoming like best friends and, eventually, something more.

When they finally met in person, their first adventure was at the Ukay-Ukay market. Carlos bought Shafni a pair of shoes, while Shafni would sometimes buy the polvoron and chicken shanghai that Carlos was selling. And as they would lovingly joke, “Nasa customer pala ang true love.”

Their dates were never extravagant, but they were always memorable. They jogged together at the Baguio Athletic Bowl, enjoyed kwek-kwek and fish balls at the market, and explored local parks with affordable entrance fees. They learned that love was never about expensive gifts or fancy dates it was about giving each other time, sharing simple moments, and making ordinary days special. For them, time together was the most priceless gift of all.

But just like every fairy tale, their love story was tested.

Carlos became a jail officer trainee and had to spend four months in Bataan for his training. With no phones allowed inside the training center, communicating became difficult. While Carlos endured the challenges of training, Shafni and the other “Tagapaghintay” would sometimes travel to Bataan to visit and support their loved ones during their days off.

After Carlos successfully completed his training, he was assigned to Taguig City, while Shafni continued working in Baguio City as a Unit Head of the Accounting Department in an educational institution. Distance now stood between them, but instead of allowing it to weaken their love, it made their bond even stronger.

Through constant communication, trust, patience, and faith in God, they continued choosing each other day after day, despite the miles between them.

And then, after six beautiful years of dating, they finally decided to take the next step and say, “I do.”

Their journey has never been perfect, but every challenge, sacrifice, laughter, and simple moment has brought them closer to this beautiful day.

And as they begin the next chapter of their story, they know that whatever adventures and challenges may come their way, their foundation will always remain the same:

God at the center, family and friends by their side, and a sincere love that continues to choose each other every single day.

And so, their love story continues…

Not with “Once upon a time,” but with “Forever after.”