Our Love Story

The hallways of high school were filled with the usual chaos of teenage life, but for two best friends, the 11th grade held a different kind of magic. It was the year John Ray finally gathered his courage to ask the question that would change everything. With a simple "yes," a high school sweetheart story was born, one built not just on romance, but on a shared ambition to grow. They pushed each other toward excellence, their names appearing side-by-side on the Dean’s List, proving that love, when rooted in support, only makes you sharper.

By the 12th grade, the air grew bittersweet. Graduation loomed, a celebration of achievement, but also the dawn of a new, daunting chapter. As they threw their caps into the air, they knew they were also stepping into a world where they would no longer see each other between every class.

College brought the inevitable "shaky" years. Distance, new pressures, and the growing pains of early adulthood tested the foundation they had built. There were challenges that felt insurmountable, yet they found their anchor in faith. Under God’s guidance, every argument became a lesson, and every struggle became a reason to hold on tighter.

While other couples marked their milestones with candlelight and fancy menus, John Ray and Princess realized their joy came from looking outward. On their third anniversary, they skipped the expensive dinner and pooled their allowances together. That year, they walked into their church with two wall fans. It was a simple gesture, but the warmth in their hearts made it feel as grand as if they had installed a huge aircon. 

That spark ignited a "Legacy of Love." Their anniversaries became a countdown, not to a date, but to a mission

Year four, they spent the day at Gawad Kalinga, the air smelling of sweet chocolate as they served champorado and bread, teaching Bible stories and singing songs with the children.

The Following Year, the kitchen was a whirlwind of steam and spices as they prepared adobong manok and pancit bihon. They spent the day driving through the city streets, handing warm meals to tricycle drivers under the midday sun.

Growing the Mission, from serving arroz caldo at Manlangit Elementary School to the heights of Sitio Linao 2, where they shared siomai rice with the mountain community, their love became a map of service.

Every year, the excitement shifted from "Where should we eat?" to "Who can we help?"

Today marks ten years, a full decade of choosing each other and choosing to be a blessing to others. Surrounded by the family and friends who have watched them grow from schoolmates to soulmates, the air is thick with gratitude.

This 10th anniversary isn't the grand finale or the end of a long road. It is simply the beautiful beginning of a lifetime of joy, rooted in a love that knows the best way to celebrate is to give.