Our Love Testimony

Pandemic era, at hindi ko inaasahan na ito rin pala ang umpisa ng pagiging magkasintahan namin ni Eco. Flashback to the year 2020, kung saan sa pamamagitan ng TikTok video, nagkakilala kami ni Eco.

I didn't know him personally or virtually; we only had a mutual friend/churchmate. A friend of mine requested a video greeting because it was Eco's birthday, and she even said, “Fan mo ito dahil sa spoken word mo.” Yes naman, Lord! Through the talent You gave me, I finally met my future husband.

It was a short video greeting for someone na hindi ko pa nakikita nor nakakausap. Pero dahil sa short clip na iyon, iyon pala ang simula ng long story namin.

Hindi ko naman inaasahan na habang bawal lumabas, ay may taong papasok naman sa buhay ko. We made video calls hanggang madaling araw, and through that, nakilala namin ang isa’t isa. Our first personal meet-up was at the Bayleaf entrance, with face shields and face masks on parehas! Haha!

Then we had our dates — na laging fast food lang. Days, months, and years passed, and little did I know na kasama ko na si Eco sa mga first times ng buhay ko. He witnessed my college graduation, and he even provided for my summer tuition fee. He was with me whenever I claimed my scholarship. He was also with me during my first full-time job interview, and when I transitioned from being a student to a professional.

And vice versa, I was with him through every stage of his journey — from simply riding a bicycle, to owning his first motorcycle. I witnessed him grow and mature into the man he is in our relationship. I was also there when we finally achieved one of our dreams and had our very first home.

But like any relationship, we also went through difficult times and faced the reality of our differences in personality. Everything started to change when we slowly drifted away from church and chose to backslide.

Ang daming mapait na nangyari, mga bagay na hindi namin maunawaan kung bakit sa amin pinaparanas. Mga taong nakasakit sa amin — mga taong labis din naming pinagkatiwalaan.

Pero sa kabila ng lahat ng ito, mas pinili naming bumalik sa church. Kahit mahirap, kahit feeling namin maraming matang nakatingin at labing mapanghusga. Mas pinili naming bumalik sa Lord at magsimulang muli.

September 2024, Agape Sunday. That was the day na bumalik kami na puno ng kahihiyan, sakit, at wasak na pagkatao. Pero hindi namin alam na ito rin pala ang simula kung saan ibabalik ng Lord ang mga bagay na nawala sa amin.

We started rejoining church trainings, from Life Class to Destiny Trainings, at dito unti-unting nagbago ang buhay namin. I resigned from my previous work, which drained and stressed me, and allowed the plan of God to work in my life. And it did! Now, I have an answered prayer, and I’m currently employed in a company that provides well enough for my financial needs.

Eco’s life also changed, especially his perspective. And that was when he proposed on December 4, 2024 — my birthday. He also entered his ministry in the praise and worship team.

Nag-level up ang relationship namin dahil sa mga natutunan namin sa trainings. Who would have thought na yung mga sirang buhay noon ay unti-unting inayos ng Lord?

That’s our testimony as lovers, now stepping into God’s plan as husband and wife. Everything that we have right now is a demonstration of how faithful God is, how He can rewrite our love story in His own version, and how truly and deeply He loves us unconditionally.

All glory belongs to God!