Our Love Story

Both of us came from broken promises and past relationships that left us cautious about love. Yet, little by little, trust found its way back into our hearts.

What started as occasional conversations soon became a constant presence in our lives. Days turned into weeks, and weeks into months.

There were late-night conversations that seemed endless, phone calls that stretched into the early hours, and countless moments spent getting to know one another.

Without realizing it, friendship blossomed into something deeper, and two separate paths slowly became one shared journey.

Our story continued in medical school, where we pursued the same dream and walked the same path together.

Countless late night study sessions, endless readings, and sleepless nights became part of our journey. Together, we faced examinations, clinical duties, and challenges that tested our strength and determination.

Through four years of hard work and sacrifice, we endured the blood, sweat, and tears that came with becoming doctors.

There were moments of exhaustion and uncertainty, but there were also moments of encouragement, growth, and triumph. Through it all, we remained each other's source of strength.

When graduation day finally arrived, it was more than just a personal achievement. It was the culmination of a journey we faced, survived, and celebrated together.

Like every journey, ours was not without challenges.

Our lives were shaken when Tin was diagnosed with Lupus. It was a difficult season filled with uncertainty, but it also became a time when our faith, resilience, and commitment to one another grew even stronger.

As we prepared for one of the most important milestones of our lives, another obstacle came our way. Just before the board examinations, we were diagnosed with COVID-19 and faced the possibility of not being allowed to take the exam.

Despite the setbacks, we persevered. With determination, patience, and the support of those around us, we overcame every challenge placed before us.

Through every trial and every victory, we remained by each other's side. And in the end, we achieved the dream we had worked so hard for and proudly became full-fledged doctors together.

On a seemingly ordinary day, November 19, 2020, a call came from a clerk at the Davao City Hall of Justice asking if we were available for a civil wedding ceremony. Our original wedding plans had been postponed because of the pandemic, and this was the earliest available schedule.

With little time to prepare, we said yes.

The ceremony was simple and intimate. Standing beside us were only two witnesses, our dearest friends, who shared in one of the most important moments of our lives.

There were no grand decorations, no large gathering, and no elaborate celebration. Yet, in that small room, surrounded by love and sincerity, we exchanged our vows and officially began our journey as husband and wife.

It may not have been the wedding we had originally envisioned, but it was the beginning of a lifetime together, and that made it perfect.

As we look back on our years together, we are reminded that life has been filled with both triumphs and trials.

Along the way, we experienced profound loss. Roph said goodbye to his father and youngest brother, while Tin mourned the passing of her beloved mother. Though these moments brought immense sorrow, they also inspired us to move forward with purpose and pursue residency training in honor of those we loved.

The challenges, however, did not end there. After nearly a decade together, we faced some of the most difficult chapters of our lives. We endured the heartbreak of a miscarriage, an ectopic pregnancy, and countless obstacles that tested our faith, our strength, and our commitment to one another.

There were moments when the road ahead seemed uncertain, but through every storm, we chose to hold on to each other.

Like bamboo swaying in the strongest winds, we learned to bend without breaking. Every hardship strengthened our roots, every trial deepened our love, and every challenge reminded us that together, we could overcome anything.

Through loss, heartbreak, and adversity, we remained steadfast. And through it all, we continued to choose each other, day after day, year after year.

Through the years, we have journeyed through life side by side, creating memories that we will cherish forever. From our first trip to Cebu, to our road trip to Dakak, and eventually to our first international adventure in Fukuoka, Japan, where Roph had the opportunity to present his interesting case report, each experience became a chapter in our story.

Together, we have discovered that love is not merely found in grand moments, but in the countless ordinary days shared with one another. We learned to support each other's dreams, celebrate each other's successes, and find strength in each other's presence.

We have lived to love and loved to become the embodiment of two individuals growing as one in heart, mind, and soul.

Now, after years of love, growth, challenges, heartbreaks, triumphs, and countless blessings, we are ready to take the next step in our journey. Surrounded by our family and friends, and guided by God's grace, we come together to celebrate our love and receive the sacrament of Holy Matrimony.

With grateful hearts, we look forward to the future that awaits us and to the many adventures still to come.