Their initial encounter unfolded when the bride found herself teamed up with the groom’s sister as groupmates in their Computer Class. The task at hand was no small feat—an ambitious documentary-style project delving into the beauty of Bohol. A minor hiccup arose when it became evident that the bride’s home computer lacked the necessary prowess for video editing.

In a stroke of serendipity, the solution materialized in the form of the groom, a Computer Science student endowed with a formidable personal computer. Recognizing the potential for collaboration, the trio gathered at the groom’s house, where the humming power of cutting-edge technology would bring their creative vision to life.

In the enchanting year of 2015, the bride harbored a delightful quirk – a fascination with a certain biker. This peculiar enchantment sprang from the depths of her heart, ignited by an ultimate crush on the skilled cyclist. The allure was magnetic, drawing the bride’s gaze each time he embarked on a thrilling journey through the rugged terrains of a mountain bike (MTB) race.

Without fail, whenever the biker took to the course, the bride made it a point to be present, an eager spectator soaking in the excitement of the race. Coincidentally, whenever her adored biker traversed the challenging paths, another significant figure was also in attendance – the groom. Their destinies intertwined on the winding trails of those MTB races, creating a silent connection amidst the whirlwind of adrenaline and competition.

On the eventful day of April 5, 2015, the Banat-i Hills played host to an exhilarating MTB XC Race, an occasion that would unknowingly set the stage for our love story. The bride, fueled by her genuine admiration for her crush, eagerly attended to cheer him on. Mindful of not making her intentions too conspicuous, she tactfully turned her camera lens toward other bikers in attendance.

In a twist of fate orchestrated by a higher power, the last biker the bride chose to photograph before bidding farewell to Banat-i Hills was none other than the groom himself. Unbeknownst to her, this seemingly ordinary act of capturing a moment led to an extraordinary connection. The groom, intrigued by the photograph, left a comment requesting to “grab his photo”. Little did the bride realize that in that simple exchange, he wasn’t just retrieving a photo; he was stealthily beginning to capture something far more profound – the bride’s heart. And so, beneath the frames of that seemingly innocent picture, the seeds of a love story were sown, germinating into the beautiful journey that awaited them.

The groom’s persistent efforts to court the bride were met with playful resistance in the early stages. Focused on being transparent and sparing any false hopes, she candidly informed him not to pursue her in April, citing her existing affection for someone else. Despite her clear stance, the groom, fueled by determination, remained undeterred. Frustration reached a point where he questioned her intentions, asking if she deliberately sought to turn him away. Despite being turned down three times, his resolve endured.

By October, a dramatic shift occurred. The groom, adopting a theatrical tone, proposed a trial period for their relationship, akin to a trial version of software. He suggested, “Let’s try it for one month.” The bride, kept in the dark about the exact commencement due to the groom’s mysterious plans, found herself on unexpected journeys to Ubay, unsure of what awaited her. The groom, adamant about escorting her home, orchestrated memorable moments during these pick-ups and drop-offs.

As the one-month trial period drew to a close, and after heartfelt discussions with confidants, her girlfriends who are now her bridesmaids, and a particularly influential friend who is now our ring bearer (the mastermind behind it all), the bride realized that the love she gave away had come full circle.

Under the guava tree at the bride’s house in Lindaville on November 2, 2015, the groom revealed his intention to court her with the ultimate goal of marriage. He expressed a desire to care for her in her old age, injecting humor about the age difference by playfully acknowledging that she could care for him too, given their eight-year gap. On November 3, 2015, she, guided by God’s grace, agreed to be his girlfriend.

After an enduring journey filled with myriad twists and turns over the span of eight years, they are joyously culminating their union in marriage.