Not Your #RelationshipGoal : Write Your Love Story Challenge

In response to @haneun, the #wylschallenge, let me share my own love story. It is actually not Instagram-able, will not be trending on Twitter and definitely will not become viral on Facebook. However, let me just try, at least. Please excuse my formatting since I'm just using my phone in writing this blog.

_{One of my favorite pics of us. 2010.}

How we met

Year: 2005
Started as: Textmates.
Impression: He's not my type.
Hold it there! Don't judge me! My exes we're all moreno (tan). He's Chinese-looking because partly, he really is. Hahahaha. So yes, not my type. No expectations. Just friendship. That time, we're both mending our broken hearts.

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) _{Some of our early photos.}

Mutual Understanding

After a month of seeing each other for every single day (yes, every freakin day), I felt something different. Something flourished after all. We started saying I love yous. But hey, we're not an item yet.

"Don't trust me"

Because we got so close, I got too comfortable with him. He saw it as my weakness and confronted me. He told me not to trust him yet. What if he's a bad guy? What if he's evil? I just answered my heart knows his heart. And that made him smile. But, girls, admit it, how many guys that you've met who could openly tell you not to trust them yet?

The Sign

Exactly 2 months after, we were in a jeepney. We were just talking and he stopped. I asked why. He said he saw a sign. He saw a jeepney mudguard that spells out the combination of our name. An hour after, he dropped the big question... "ano ba tayo? (what are we?)" He said he needs formality. And I couldn't talk. He asked me if I can be his girlfriend. I just nodded. Yes, the hair was quite long, if you know what I mean. :)

The Opposites

Months after we became and item, our personalities clashed. The extrovert (me) and introvert (him) showed up. A struggle, really. The pasts also hounded us. Jealousy, insecurity, everything rocked our boat so early. Constant fights. No honeymoon period. We almost gave up. But we didn't.

No money, but with honey

Year 2006.
We both graduated in college. I finished my Business course while he finished Architecture. Then he proceeded for his 2 years apprenticeship (a requirement for his board exam) while I stayed in my job. I was a working student, by the way. We remained like that for 2 years until he decided to go abroad.

_{2008. He left for Abu Dhabi.}

LDR is real
We remained apart for 2 years. He worked in the UAE while I stayed in the Philippines. It's not easy. However, we remained strong despite the odds.

All for love

2 years, he missed me that much. He decided to bring me to UAE. I helped me find a work and after 6 months, we tied the knot. And by the way, he got his architectural license while in the UAE, so I'm quite very proud of my man.

_{Wacky wedding pose.}

Family is home

2012, I got pregnant. We quit our jobs in the UAE and settled back here in the Philippines. We struggled much as we have to start from scratch with the 4 months old baby inside my tummy. Little by little, we managed to make our lives comfortable. Not rich, but comfortable. 6 years after, we're here in the Philippines with our 5 years old daughter. He's managing his own construction firm while I have my own business too. Our home is small, but we are happy. Our life is not perfect just like the rest of us but that what makes it more fun, right?

Family pics. 2015 (above) and 2017 (below). <\sub>