Everyone has a story to tell, a lesson to teach, and wisdom to share. Life is a beautiful masterpiece bound together by your experiences. Open up and share your story; become an inspiration to others. You can make a difference because you matter. You were created with a purpose. Live your life with intention, go out there and make a difference by being the difference.
-Melanie Koulouris
Hello Hivers! Here's my love story, and life experiences that I promise to share with you here🥰
Where everything started...
One hot afternoon, I was walking along the road of Juan Luna Ave Ext, Cebu City to apply to a well-known mall in the city, SM Cebu City. After I graduated from college, I took the board exam for teachers, and while waiting for the results, I applied as a cashier in SM Cebu City. As I entered the mall, I felt relief from the scorching sun. I directly went to the basement where I should submit my resume.
To love and be loved is to feel the sun from both sides ~ David Viscott
The moment of truth
A few days after submitting my resume, I got a call from the office for an interview. From there, I prepared myself to enter the affiliate office. To reach there, I have to go through the employees watching head to foot and one person called my attention, he is Al, a promoter on a certain sofa. He said before I went to the office I should go through "Bigboy" (seasoned promoter) and I was shocked because I was advised only by the manager, not knowing that was all a trick. I don't know what's their intention but that was our first met 🥰
The day I started my first day of work, I always caught his eyes watching me but not just his but also other employees as well, maybe I'm just new to their eyes. A month later, he started to ask for my number and ask if he can send me to my boarding house but I declined it because I don't have feelings for him, and as soon as this happened, at the workplace, he was not the same person I know anymore. He is reluctant every time I ask him. I'm the kind of person who doesn't want any trouble or hold grudges.
I tried to reach him, then a conversation went on, and tried to get my number again. This time I let him have it. I want him to prove himself if he's true to me. At that time, texting is in trend and a bit of call. On the fifth day of communicating, he courted me perhaps it's too soon but I eventually have feelings for him🥰. On a day off, he's on top of the world as I gave my "yes" to him. I can see in his eyes how happy he is. We are official now🥰.
This photo taken by his elder daughter and we're so happy knowing that they are happy for us.
The bond that links your true family is not the one of blood; but of respect and joy in each other's life ~ Richard Bach
Challenges came...
After two months of dating, I can feel the security because he is caring. I am his priority, and keeps on checking on me. I never felt this way before. Until one day he called me for a date night in Plaza Independencia. I was happy at that time for we will eat sumptuous food again, indeed it happened, however, with a twist.
He said he has something to tell me about an important matter. He said, I have two daughters as I've heard it, I feel like my ears couldn't hear the next word he said. I want to cry but I hold back my tears. For awhile, we didn't talk. Silence came across for a period of time. After a moment, I cleared everything up asking him why he just told me now when we were comfortable with each other. Told him I regretted the first day I met him and ended the conversation with "I want to end this relationship".
However, he pursued me and told me, "I will do everything just stay with me". "I will be a good father if you will give me a chance", and "I will take care of you for the rest of my life" these words keep on haunting me. I can't win over my head but my heart did.
My love for him grew stronger as we went to their home where I found the two innocent angels, reaching the arms of their father and hugging him. The mother of the children left them when the younger one was still 8 months old. They were separated when the girl cheated on him. She worked in the city so she has time to roam around the city with someone else. Al was blind to all the setup, he was left on the mountain with the children and you know what lies ahead? The landlord told him everything about the girl's cheating. He was puzzled and don't know what to do but one thing is for sure they "ended" their connection.
The supposed marriage turn into a nightmare for him. The children were left with no mother. However, his parents were supportive and let him work at his convenience. Five years later, he found me. 🥰
The proposal ✨
It was not a typical proposal as you usually see on TV but just the two of us joking that he wanted to marry me, like what? We've just celebrated our anniversary and you want to marry me? But hey! He was serious. I told him I'll let my family know about this. Honestly, I also want to settle down with him but I must give what my parents want before getting married.
My mother doesn't want him because he has two children but I insisted that he is not married yet. I know that my mom only wanted the best for me but I made my decision. Although he used to visit me at home, my mom doesn't show how she dislikes him. He respects my parents and build a strong relationship with them and later on had their consent for "pamalaye".
On April 28, 2016, Al together with his family and relatives went to our hometown and bring food for us (a tradition for Filipinos before getting married). They have a consultant and a barangay counselor in their hometown, and we have ours too, my aunt. We were elated as the agreement went well. A journey to married life we'll enter. He then shared with me how happy he is; that we no longer have to part ways, and cries out every time he drop me by and say goodbye.
Here comes the bride, 8 months inside... Kidding! 😁
Walking down the aisle with an eighth-month tummy🤵👰🥰
The wedding is supposedly that year but an emergency occurred. We have to move it the next year. After the agreement, I already lived with him because I want to follow up on the papers that I applied for. After 2 months of living, I got pregnant. I got to tell you, this is a blessing. I witness how this works. I got a call from the office, that I have to comply with the folder needed. From then, I have to wait for a few months. Luckily, I got married before I deployed to a certain school. God has a plan for us if it's not today maybe tomorrow.
My first born 🤱
I delivered my baby via Caesarian Method due to a fraternal breach on an almost vacation. The bill we have to pay turns to zero that's how good God is if we believe in Him. It's a blessing in disguise.
For a while, we rented at my sister's house while our home is ongoing. After a month, we got blessed and started living in the house we called home. Being together is fun! I feel like a princess. He did all the house chores and took care of our baby. This time, I get back to work as a teacher.
Another blessing 🤱
After 3 years, I got pregnant and delivered a healthy baby via Caesarian method again. Having two children is not easy because they are both naughty but patience is a virtue and as a mother, I should make everything for their betterment plus a supportive husband would make me less stressed in taking care of them.
The realizations
I remembered his promises to me, it's like he fulfilled all of them. He's been a good father and a great provider. I never regretted my decision to marry him. Life went well with His guidance. Although the relationship is not perfect, we also have up and downs but we still fight.
Now, we're together for 8 years already and will celebrate our 9th anniversary this coming November 6, 2022.
Thank you for reading Hivers! Have a good day!