Our Love  Story

"Love isn’t about perfect timing. It’s about finding the one who makes your heart skip, even when it’s already racing for someone else."

Our love story isn’t something you’d expect to lead to marriage—but here we are.

Carlo was the EMCEE during the church anniversary celebration, confident and busy on stage. Ednalyn was just an attendee, quietly enjoying the celebration, not knowing she’d become part of Carlo’s story.

No spark at all—pareho pa kaming masaya sa iba noon. May girlfriend si Carlo at may kausap si Ednalyn na walang label—but tuloy lang ang heart niya sa paghanga. Paulit-ulit mang masaktan, tuloy lang ang kwento ng pagtibok ng puso namin. Bata pa kasi kami, marupok pa, hahaha.

Pagkatapos ng celebration, nagkaroon ng simple fellowship. Naka-circle kami ng mga churchmates ni Ednalyn, at sumama rin si Carlo at girlfriend niya noon—just to accommodate at makilala kami. That year talaga, puwedeng tawaging “meeting our hearts at the wrong time.”

Lumipas ang mga buwan, at napunta pa rin kami sa church nila Carlo para magpaturo ng instruments. Busy siya sa paghayo, kami busy sa learning—so bihira kaming magkita. Kapag nagkita man, hi-hello lang tapos balik sa sarili naming ginagawa.

Then 2020, isang ordinary na araw, nag-message si Carlo kay Ednalyn sa Facebook:

"Hi Ate Edz, kamusta?"

Nagulat si Ednalyn—di naman talaga close. Pero nag-reply siya, “Mabuti naman, ikaw?” Carlo, excited, “Mabuti, nag-aaral na ako ngayon.”

What started as a simple “how are you?” became a small window into his life. Nag-open up siya tungkol sa studies niya—walang dahilan, just sharing. At kahit may girlfriend pa siya noon, natuwa si Ednalyn for him.

Around July, nalaman namin na lumipat ng church si Carlo at ang girlfriend niya noon. Some days later, nag-join sila sa fellowship namin—pero wala pa rin feelings noon. Bihira lang kami mag-chat, kasi respect sa relationship niya.

Paglipas ng isang buwan, nagkahiwalay na si Carlo at ang girlfriend niya. Nanatili siyang nakikipag-fellowship, at unti-unti, bihira chats naging frequent. Pero Ednalyn, being careful, tinanong niya kung okay lang na may kausap siyang ibang girls—Carlo said, “wala.”

Fast forward sa December, birthday month ni Ednalyn. Inimbitahan niya si Carlo, at guess what he gave her? A chocolate bouquet (her favorite) at isang sunflower. First time niya makakita niyon sa kanya. Naalala niya panalangin niya sa Diyos: kung sino man ang magbibigay ng bouquet, “siya na ‘yon.” Kilig to the bone, pero may konting takot—baka sign galing sa Lord. Gift lang yun—wala pang meaning.

Pero sa mismong birthday niya, ramdam ni Ednalyn na kailangan niya ng clarity. Ayaw na niyang manghula o mag-assume. Kaya tinanong niya kung may masasaktan ba, kung kailangan bang huminto—pero di pa rin malinaw ang intensyon ni Carlo noon.

A week later, Pasko, biglang pumunta si Carlo sa bahay nila Ednalyn. Sabi niya, may parcel daw siyang dala. Syempre, naghintay si Ednalyn… pero ang dumating pala—si Carlo mismo. Walang box, walang balot. Sarili niya ang dala.

Doon, diretsahan na si Ednalyn. Gusto niya ng clarity. Kaya tinanong niya kung nanliligaw ba si Carlo—at kung oo, malinaw na hindi na siya magpapaligaw sa iba. Simple, honest, walang arte.

At doon nagsimula ang opisyal na ligawan.

On Carlo’s birthday, sinagot siya ni Ednalyn sa kanto namin—simple, private, sweet, pero perfect.

Marami nang nangyari sa love story namin: tampuhan, away-bati, luha, at maraming testing sa faith at finances. Pero through it all, pinili namin na unahin ang Diyos. And little by little, nakamtan namin ang tagumpay: Carlo graduated, became an Engineer, at may house na rin kami.

Today, from wrong timing to right timing, we are ready for marriage. Excited for the days ahead as we build a family centered on God.

"But seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you." —Matthew 6:33

This is our story—fun, full of love, faith, laughter, at little surprises from God.