Our story began unexpectedly with a simple Instagram message—a casual "Hi ate" from Angelo on March 17, 2023. At first, neither of us expected the conversation to last. With Angelo based in Italy and Joanna in the Philippines, the severe time difference made continuous communication seem impossible. But we consciously kept choosing each other every day, closing the distance one message at a time. The First Chapter: Close Distance On October 4, 2023, we decided to make our relationship official. Just one week later, Angelo flew home, marking our first-ever meet-up at the airport. Despite the distance, we instantly felt like two people who had known each other for years. All the shyness vanished, and the connection we built online immediately felt natural and real. Our month together was pure joy, filled with what we love most: countless food trips, indulging in samgyupsal, ihaw-ihaw, and late-night superbecks after our inuman sessions! We quickly realized our primary love language was physical touch and presence, which set the stage for our next major challenge: Long Distance. LDR: A Love Built on Resilience On November 13, 2023, we officially started our Long Distance Relationship (LDR). It was definitely not easy; the distance challenged us often. We both struggled with the lack of physical presence, which sometimes led to disagreements, but every challenge only made us stronger and more committed to finding our future together. In August 2024, Angelo surprised Joanna by coming home early for her birthday! This special trip was a much-needed celebration. We traveled to Palawan, went to concerts, and filled our month with more of our favorite food trips. Those memories reminded us vividly why we were fighting the distance. Choosing Forever After another year of LDR, we prepared for Angelo’s homecoming on November 10, 2025. This homecoming was our true beginning. He kept the surprise coming by proposing the same day he arrived, surrounded by our loving family. From one unexpected Instagram message to years of long-distance love, from choosing each other across continents to choosing forever, this is us. We are so excited to finally close the distance and invite you to celebrate the start of our forever on December 20, 2025. ♡