Our journey began in June 2024, thanks to a fateful swipe right on Hinge. From our very first messages, we felt an instant connection. Conversations flowed effortlessly as we bonded over our shared love of food and the richness of our different cultures and backgrounds. From the outside, we might look like an odd pairing. Jeff grew up in a small town in Texas and naturally gravitated toward western culture, rodeos, and country music. I, on the other hand, grew up between the cities of Bacolod and Cebu in the Philippines. I’ve always loved art, nature, anime, sweets, and electronic music. Despite our different worlds, somehow everything just clicked. His steady, down-to-earth nature balanced my creative curiosity perfectly. Our first date was unforgettable. After my long nine-hour drive from Oklahoma, Jeff and I met for sushi in Sugar Land, Texas. We ordered several rolls, shared drinks, and talked for hours. From that first night, we knew that something about us was truly special. The moment we realized we were falling in love came on our third date—a weekend adventure to Dallas and Fort Worth. Jeff brought his dog along, and we spent our days exploring, enjoying breakfast at a pet-friendly patio, sipping old fashioneds at The Parliament Bar, and wandering through the Stockyards. One of our favorite stops was a family-run Vietnamese restaurant, where we shared Bun Bo Hue, a spicy beef noodle soup known for its rich, flavorful broth. That trip set the tone for what would become our relationship: full of discovery, laughter, and amazing food. A few weeks later, in September 2024, Jeff proposed. It was simple, sweet, and perfect for us. Jeff saw in me a caring, playful, and selfless partner, and I saw in him a calm, thoughtful man with the strength to lead and the heart to care. That moment was when we both knew we wanted to spend the rest of our lives together. Not long after, we decided to elope. With Jeff’s longtime friend, Steven Snead, and his wife, Bridgett, as our witnesses, we exchanged vows in a small, private ceremony. There was no grand event—just love, laughter, and the promise of forever. For a short while, we kept it our little secret. When the time felt right, we shared our joy with friends and family over dinner, each reveal met with surprise and excitement. After a year of planning, we would like to share and celebrate our marriage before Christ in the Sacrament of Holy Matrimony.