Our Love Story

From Neighbors to Forever: The Story of Ephraim Joseph “EJ” and Zalvie Joyce “Joyce”

The Unexpected Neighborhood

Their story begins with a search for faith and a sense of home. When Joyce’s mother was looking for a place of worship in Tacloban, she discovered that her home church had a local branch right there. That sanctuary became the backdrop of the very first time EJ and Joyce laid eyes on each other.

As destiny would have it, they didn’t just share a church—they unexpectedly discovered they were neighbors, living just a few blocks away from each other. But it was far from love at first sight. Back in their teenage days, they barely paid each other any mind, both entirely preoccupied with their own high school crushes.

The Prank That Started It All

Everything changed with a single, unexpected text message. One day, Joyce’s phone lit up with a message from EJ’s number that simply read: *"My love."*

While it might have caused a brief flutter of excitement, the hilarious truth quickly came out—it was actually EJ’s sister, Ate Hannah, playing a prank! Rather than letting it pass, Joyce used it as the perfect excuse to tease EJ relentlessly. She even playfully started calling his mother "Mama," too.

But destiny has a beautiful way of turning jokes into reality. As time went on, the teasing turned into genuine conversation, and the conversation turned into something much deeper. Without either of them realizing it, their defenses melted away. EJ and Joyce fell for each other slowly, quietly, and then all at once.

The Ultimate Test (Sweeter the Second Time Around)

However, like any great love story, their bond was eventually put to the test. Life pulled them in different directions, and they faced a heartbreaking season where they ended up parting ways, moving on with their own separate lives.

But wait—there's more! Destiny was far from finished with them. EJ, knowing in his heart that Joyce was the one, took the brave step to initiate their reunion. He reached out to get her back, and love won. They chose to try again, proving the old saying true: *love is truly sweeter the second time around.*

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A Decade of Grace

Fast forward through the years, and that reunited spark grew into an unbreakable, lasting flame. God blessed their journey with the absolute joy of their lives—their wonderful son, Kelly.

Today, EJ and Joyce can look back on over a decade of walking side-by-side since they first decided to choose each other. Their life together has weathered its fair share of ups and downs. But through every storm, they have stood firm by the grace of God, learning to lean on, trust, and believe in one another come what may.

 The Next Chapter

What started with a church service, a neighborly nod, a sister's text prank, and a journey of reconciliation has grown into a lifetime of devotion. And today, surrounded by the love of their family and the blessing of God, EJ and Joyce are overjoyed to begin this brand-new chapter—finally, and officially, as husband and wife!