A Love Story of Glen and Nikki:

A Journey from the Mountains to Forever

It was a rainy 6th of May, the kind of day that makes hiking more of an adventure. Nikki, along with a group of fellow travelers, found herself navigating the trails of Mt. Palaopao on a joiner tour. To protect her belongings from the rain, she had wrapped her bag in a garbage bag—a makeshift solution that caught the attention of Glen.

Seeing Nikki's effort to shield her things, Glen, with a gentle smile, offered, "Nikki, noh? Pwede ako nalang dala sa imung bag?" His offer was simple but kind. He wanted to make her journey a little easier by placing her bag inside his, allowing both of their things to stay dry under one cover.

That was how it all began—their first conversation, born out of practicality, and yet, something much deeper was set in motion. Nikki agreed, and as they continued hiking, a natural connection began to unfold. That night, while the stars lit up the sky, Glen and Nikki found themselves stargazing with the rest of the group. Unbeknownst to Nikki, Glen was already enchanted by her presence.

Days passed after the hike, and Nikki received a message from Glen. He had sent her a photo from the trip, captioned, "Mura og Kdrama ba?" It was a candid shot, one that seemed to mirror a scene from a romantic drama, capturing a fleeting moment between them. Their conversations grew from there, blossoming into a friendship where they shared their joys and vulnerabilities.

Glen began to express his feelings through little gestures—singing for Nikki when she requested, sending letters and flowers. Nikki, however, remained hesitant, challenging Glen at every turn. She didn't make it easy, and Glen’s patience was tested, but he stood firm. For almost four years, he courted her, never giving up.

Then came a turning point. Glen was onboard a ship, and in one of their chats, Nikki playfully challenged him. "If you ask my parents for their approval, then I’ll say yes!" she said. Taking her words to heart, Glen did just that. On December 3, 2019, fresh off the ship, he made his way to Nikki's house. With a respectful determination, he sat down before Nikki’s father and said, "Uncle, sauna rako nanguyab kay Nikki pero ayha ra sya musugot kung sugtan ko ninyo. Musugot ba mo na maging kami ni Nikki?"

Nikki's father, filled with happiness, approved of Glen. Her mother, too, welcomed the idea. But Nikki, unprepared for the reality of it all, grew anxious. She took Glen aside and said, "Okay, kita, but let's just try 1 month. If within one month dili mag work out, then let's break."

Glen agreed. And during that month, he poured his heart into caring for her—cooking for her, visiting her every day, and nursing her when she was sick. Yet, after the month had passed, Nikki still wasn’t convinced. "I don't feel it will work at all. Let’s break," she told Glen.

But Glen, ever persistent, asked for another month. Nikki, intrigued by his determination, agreed again. For the next month, Glen doubled his efforts. He not only cared for Nikki but helped her parents around the house, showing her what true devotion looked like. Another month came and went, and still, Nikki wasn't certain. This time, Glen asked for two more weeks. And it was within those two weeks that Nikki began to see Glen’s intentions clearly. He wasn’t just in it for the short term—he was serious about a future together, about marrying her.

Glen had once promised Nikki that he would take her to Batanes, a dream trip she had always longed for. On July 5th, 2023, Glen fulfilled that promise and more. Under the vast Batanes sky, he knelt down and proposed, asking Nikki to be his forever. He promised her not just a trip or a moment, but a lifetime of love and dedication.

Now, they are preparing to wed on the 6th of October, 2024—a date that holds deep meaning, as it is Nikki's father's birthday. Though her father will not be physically present to witness this dream wedding, his spirit will surely be felt, as Nikki and Glen begin the next chapter of their journey together.