Sam and I first met in Grade 7. She already caught my eye when I saw her first walking in; her demeanor was shy, but she already has a presence that I took note of. Our friendship officially started when she handed me a piece of XO coffee candy. From then on, our relationship was more playful, filled with more banter and the occasional throwing of XO across the class. As I was still insecure, I did not have the ounce of confidence to tell Sam how I felt in Grade 7 and in Grade 8. Although in those two years, we still acknowledge one another, we both were in separate friend groups, thus, having limited interaction with one another. This all changes in the following school year in Grade 9. Grade 9 was a turning point. From the moment I first walked in our classroom, the place was loud and abrasive with a sprinkle of hush profanity mixed into our classmate’s conversations. I was hopeless with the class until I heard a louder group coming in from the hallway. There was a group of Filipinos that came in conversing and singing with one another and at the very back of that group was Sam. Just by looking at her, I can already tell that she changed a lot in the last year; she was more confident, comfortable, stylish, and more beautiful than ever. It was safe to say that I was enamored by her new disposition. Even more than ever, my feelings for her grew as we talked more throughout the school year. Our feelings for each other were like an open book that anyone can read except for us

I made my resolve to tell her at the very tail end of the school year during exam week with a genius idea (not really) to tell her how I feel in a different language through snapchat. The idea was that by sending this first, she would get interested in what it says and then I would tell her about the real context of the message the next day with a little plush toy in a secluded area with just the two of us. The night before our first exam day, I sent the message and got a reply from Sam asking for its meaning. In which I slyly replied, “I’ll tell you tomorrow.” The next day, we finished our exam and headed to the classroom to fetch our bags. In that bag, I had the small stuff dog toy that my friends and I won at the local mall claw machine. Nervously, I pulled out the stuff toy from my bag, almost instantly, Sam was the first one to point it out and asked why I had it. Fumbling my words, I just said that my friend and I won it yesterday and told her that she can have it. With reluctance, she agreed and took it out of my hands; at that point, the teacher gestured the class to leave the classroom to go outside to lounge around the field. As we were at the very back of the classroom, by the process of elimination, we were the only two left. I realized that this was the chance to blurt out my feelings to my crush of three years but as I was about to say something, the teacher went back inside and gestured the two of us to hurry up as to not be left behind. Begrudgingly, I exited the classroom thinking I lost my chance. We walked down the hallway towards the exit doors and as we were about to head on out, Sam paused and slouched down to fix her shoelaces. We were once again alone, and the chance presented itself once again. As I was about to say how I felt, as if by purpose, the same teacher came back from the classroom and hurried us out the front door, slamming shut my second chance. Our friends were situated on the outside basketball court directly in front of the exit doors. As we walked towards the court, I felt disappointed that I couldn’t muster up the words that needed to be said. Any opportunity, catalyst, or phrase that would bring up how I feel about her would do. As Sam and I entered the court, we were greeted with Sam’s friend teasing us for taking too long in the classroom. Suggesting that I was keeping her away from the group because I liked her so much. Realizing the opportunity and with a heart rate so fast that I thought I was going to suffer cardiac arrest, I agreed to her statement. To no surprise, Sam with a bewildered face looked towards me and asked if I was serious. Doubling down on my answer, I answered tensely, “Yes, I do like you Sam.” As if the world became blurry and still, I was fixated on Sam and the answer she was about to say. The only way to be free from this stillness was her answer, in which she gracefully gave with reciprocation of my feelings. As her words were processing through my brain, I was shocked into reality by the sheer volume of our friends relinquishing the moment. A lot of hollering by my friends and a lot of congratulations were passed amongst hers. I was, regretfully, a bit embarrassed by the reaction given by everyone that although I confirmed again with Sam about our feelings, I left things as is so we both can focus on the exam (which in the end, we could not). On June 29, 2017 was when I actually ask her out.

From then on, Sam and I became a couple. Naturally, I got to know Sam at a deeper and more personal level. As I did, I fell deeper in love with her. Sam has always been a caring and selfless individual that was evident through her actions amongst her friends, family, and in school. She also has a mind that is as sharp as her words that ranges from devastatingly witty comebacks to empathetic reassurances. Our high school years seemingly flew by with a plethora of pleasant memories: talking for long hours into the night, many dates in the local spots, going on road trips, getting into our post-secondary schools, graduation—all these events were made more memorable as I spent it with Sam. After high school, since our university was in different cities, we maintained a long-distance relationship for a year. I was able to visit her city almost every month. We officially move in together in mid-2021 with some other friends. It was in this period of our lives where it solidified that I wanted to marry Sam. That moment came when I was very sick in November that year, I had one of the worse fevers I had in a while and was bedridden for a whole day. While in bed, I was very delirious and was going in and out of consciousness. All I saw and heard was Sam taking care of me; where it culminates with me waking up in the middle of the night with Sam’s hand pressed on my forehead while she was asleep beside me. Realizing that she did not leave my side until she was worn out, I felt so loved and appreciative of her. So, I sat up in bed and tucked her into bed. It was at that moment; I realized that I wanted to marry her. In the following years, we were in the process of finding a newer apartment with just the two of us and our new cats, When we did manage to completely move into our new apartment, we were met with a feeling of contentment; that if life would stay like this in our little space, with our little cat, then life would be bliss. To guarantee that feeling I had, I took into action in proposing to Sam. On July 28, 2023, we planned to do a mock-photoshoot in a picturesque area by the river in our city. In a very secluded area (made sure this time), while taking photos, I held her hand and went down on one knee and proposed. As if I was transported back in Grade 9, my heart was beating so fast and time looked still. It all ended rather quickly as she did happily accept. The day ended with friends and family coming from our hometown to celebrate the proposal with a dinner. I am beyond excited to experience and express these feelings of happiness all over again and I could not wait any longer for our next chapters in with our two cats, Yue and Yuuna.