God truly outdid Himself with this one.
It still blows our minds that all of this, our love, our story, our soon-to-be marriage started with a playful Instagram DM I sent Arianne way back in May 2017.

Back then, Arianne was a gorgeous associate dentist in BGC, and I was hustling sunburnt project engineer around Makati. We had never actually met, unless you count the fact that I knew a few of her colleagues and may or may not have “accidentally” stumbled across her profile.

There was something about this girl, with her bright, big curious eyes, short hair, and this ridiculously wholesome, contagious smile. But it wasn’t just the looks. What really got me was how natural it felt talking to her. She was so easy to talk to. Witty. Warm. Effortlessly kind. Conversations with her didn’t feel like effort — they felt like home. She’ll deny this, but after a few weeks of messaging back and forth, she actually said, “DI MO BA AKO KIKITAIN?” Word for word. 😂

What she didn’t know was, I’d already planned a surprise.

On July 23, 2017, she had a dental convention at a hotel in Malate. I showed up, thinking I’d just walk in like it was no big deal… only to find out you needed to register. 😅 So I then had to finesse my way in by claiming I was a dental supplier. Got my fake-event ID, pretended I belonged, and made my way up the elevators.

I searched the entire hall for her for more than 15 minutes. Just when I thought I missed her and was about to leave, there she was, walking with her friends. Our eyes met. She recognized me instantly. And in that very moment, time literally slowed down. 1,000 frames per second. That was the first moment I saw her in real life. She smiled. I melted. She was even more beautiful in person. That was it. I was a goner. And honestly… I’ve never been the same since.

Fast forward six months into dating, I took her to my college alma mater. With sweaty hands and shaky courage, I finally asked her, “Can I be your girlfriend?” (Yes. Girlfriend. I panicked.) She burst out laughing… but said yes anyway.

Since then, we’ve grown through so many seasons together. We’ve laughed until our cheeks hurt, argued over the silliest things, supported each other through tough career decisions, celebrated quiet wins, cried real tears, and learned to love each other more maturely.

Arianne, through the years, has remained the same sweet soul I first talked to online, thoughtful, grounded, intelligent, and full of grace. She listens like she truly cares (because she does). She’s fiercely loyal and quietly strong. And as for me? She says I bring her calm, and remind her not to overthink things. That I have this childlike faith and sense of humor that balances her out. (Also Im a better cook, but shes catching up now) 😅

Over the years, we’ve had our share of highs, heartbreaks, and hard conversations. But what held us together wasn’t just love. It was grace. It was community. It was family. And above all, it was God, who carried us, molded us, and kept writing our story even when we thought the pages were blank.

For almost two years, we couldn’t get married due to visa restrictions. It felt like forever. But in true God fashion, just when we were about to lose hope, He made a way. Not in our time. In His perfect, sovereign, loving timing.

And here we are. Eight years later. Saying finally, and meaning it with every fiber of our being.

It all started with a DM.
But God… God made it into a divine love story.
And we’re just getting started.