Our Love Story

Our love story began at church, where I was  invited by a classmate. Although we were already churchmates, we weren't close at first. Our connection started through text messages, and later we began chatting on Messenger. Shawn recalls that the first time he met Rara, it felt like the world slowed down—he instantly felt a spark. On the other hand, Rara was amazed at Shawn's musical talent, especially when he played "Kiss the Rain" on the piano.

Before Shawn even began to pursue Rara, he sought the guidance of their pastor, asking if it would be okay for him to court her. To Shawn’s surprise, the pastor just laughed it off, knowing Shawn to be a very quiet and shy person. It was as if the pastor didn’t take him seriously at first, given that Shawn wasn’t known to be vocal about his feelings. But Shawn was determined, and this marked the start of his journey to win Rara’s heart.

Our conversations began casually, with Rara thinking Shawn might just be joking around or testing the waters. But things took a serious turn when Shawn admitted that he liked Rara "in a romantic way." Rara, at first, was curious since Shawn was already part of the church's music team, but they hadn't been close before. One funny moment from our first chat was when Shawn asked, “Ikaw ba si Rafonzel?” and Rara replied, “Ano, hindi ba obvious na nakasulat sa profile ko?” We both laughed, and that broke the ice.

Eventually, Shawn confessed his feelings, saying, “Gusto kita in a romantic way.” Our early bonding moments were often with the church's music team. However, Rara was cautious, as she didn’t want people to think she joined the church just because of Shawn. She was determined to make it clear that she was there for her own spiritual growth and her desire to know God, putting God first before anything else—God first, love life second, as the saying goes.

We never really celebrated an official “monthsary” because we both prioritized ministry over our relationship, guided by our pastor and leaders. We were committed to balancing our love life and our service in the church. We’ve always kept a low profile, and in fact, most people in church didn’t even realize we were a couple, which worked well for us. It allowed us to focus on our ministry, our studies, and our relationship with God, without any distractions.

One of the most special moments in our relationship was when we exchanged rings as a symbol of our commitment. For Shawn, this was proof of how long he waited and persevered for his love for Rara. Over the years, we faced many challenges, and there were times we almost went our separate ways. But through the guidance and support of our pastor, we remained strong and faithful.

Our relationship has taught us so much about patience and maturity. We’ve learned that we cannot change each other, and trust is something that grows with time. One of the biggest lessons we’ve learned is to listen and understand each other. In many ways, we’re like a battery—opposite polarities that complement each other. From Rara’s love for mangoes, which Shawn dislikes, to Shawn’s fondness for salted caramel coffee, which Rara can’t stand, our differences have become the very things that help us support each other in big decisions, using our varying perspectives, skills, and preferences.

To this day, after 11 years of love and partnership, we continue to support the church and one another, growing together in faith and love. We’re also committed to building the next generation by using our own experiences as an example, guiding others with good morals and showing them how to keep God at the center of everything. Our journey together is not just about us, but also about inspiring others to stay strong in both love and faith.

- Rara and Shawn