We're married!

Mickee and I met in probably the least romantic way. I was visiting family in Vancouver mainly to offer care and support to my terminally sick grandmother who later succumbed to colon cancer. It was a sorrowful evening of December 20, 2018 as we mourn the loss of our dearest Nanay. Mickee, being a close friend to my cousin, Alo, was one of the people who were there to offer their condolences to our family during the viewing. His cousin Gerard was the one who introduced us after my bestfriend Janille asked him if he had any single relatives or friends. We exchanged a quick hello, not really thinking that it could lead to something more than an acquaintance—at least, for me. In his own words, it was magnetic. He was single at that time and I was in a five-year relationship that was on the rocks for the most part. Despite being seemingly incompatible, I was persistent and kept on praying that it would work out. Little did I know that I was praying the wrong prayer. Little did I know that someone better for me was going to come along. Needless to say that it was Mickee. When Mickee began to show interest in me and as I get to know him better, I caught myself at a crossroad whether to keep pushing up that rock with my ex or let go and start anew. I made the decision to keep on trying because I made a commitment and I wasn’t going to falter, but God had other plans—my ex broke up with me after the nth time of trying to end it for the last couple of years of our relationship. Instead of fighting for him like I did in the past countless times, I finally gave him what he wanted. I was heartbroken on top of the recent heartbreak of losing my grandmother. It was a devastating experience. Mickee and I kept in touch but he didn’t know what happened. I wasn’t planning on telling him. One day before his annual family trip to Portland for the New Year’s he asked me out for a walk. We were at Green Timbers when he poured out his heart. He said that he might not actually have a shot, thinking I’m taken but he’s doing it anyway because he didn’t want to be left wondering ‘what if.’ Listening to his words, I had to let him know my current status. He was sad for me but deep inside I felt like his heart was actually jumping for joy. LOL. We continued having deep and meaningful conversation over coffee and I must say that it felt really warm and nice. He drove me home and right before I was about to get off the car, he stopped me and asked me if we could do something first. In my mind, I thought “No way, we haven’t even gone for a date yet and he already wants a kiss?” But what he actually wanted to do was to pray, to pray for me and my heart as it mends after a failed relationship and the loss of a loved one. This might sound cliche but my heart skipped a beat. Right at that moment I knew it was him, the answer to the prayer I never even thought of praying before. Although to be honest, I still had my reservations because just being out of a long term relationship and not to mention my first, I did not want to jump to a new one right away, afraid to get my heart shattered again and scared of what people might think. However, Mickee was persistent and he showed me that nothing is too fast nor too slow in God’s perfect timing. We spent the last remaining months of my stay in Vancouver getting to know each other better and talking about the future. Our plans aligned as I wanted to pursue a medical career in Canada. We went into a long distance relationship head first with a foundation built for only a few months.

Long distance is never easy especially with the 14-hour time difference between us. It really took a huge amount of open, straightforward communication and lots of sleepless nights (mostly for Mickee LOL). Miscommunications and quarrels were inevitable but we made it work. After six gruelling months of being apart, Mickee flew to the Philippines to visit me on my birthday and to meet my mom and siblings. I was so excited to have a memorable adventure with my then boyfriend of nine months. We were staying in a quaint mountain resort in Bukidnon after an adventure-packed day of white water rafting. It was a chilly evening of November 5, 2019, there were just the two of us, surrounded by friendly neighbourhood Aspins. We were about to finish our dessert pastry and hot chocolate, but the nightcap was made even sweeter when Mickee asked me a question, the easiest question I have ever answered—if I will marry him and spend the rest of our lives together. Truth be told, I was 100% surprised, totally clueless, that what I thought was going be just an ordinary trip was going to be something extraordinary. Needless to say, I said YES! After a short but sweet three-week vacation, Mickee had to go back to Vancouver and I had to stay in Manila. We were yet again in a long distance relationship. I had to juggle working as a general practitioner and studying for my Canadian licensure exams, all while miles apart from my fiance. That took an emotional toll on us, especially on myself. Matters took a turn for the worse when the Covid-19 pandemic hit. With all the travel restrictions, our plans were left up in the air and the uncertainty was almost unbearable. Honestly, there were times when I felt like giving up, but Mickee remain steadfast. He prayed for me and for us, when I all I could do was break down and helplessly sob. He was indeed my rock. After what seemed like endless waiting in the dark, hoping and praying, we saw the light at the end of the tunnel. The Canadian government offered exemption to travel restrictions for significant others of Canadian citizens. We saw the opportunity and grabbed it—we couldn’t wait any longer. We decided we are going to get married after 1 year and 3 months of waiting in the midst of uncertainty. After securing all the necessary documents, and proving and having our exclusive relationship notarized, I was able to travel to Canada.

I arrived in Vancouver on February 8, 2021. Mickee picked me up at the airport with his DIY PPE and we shared a safe air hug and kiss. Talk about being so near yet so far. I spent the next two weeks in quarantine in my aunt’s basement, as the protocol required at that time. Although we originally wanted a church wedding in the Philippines with both our families present, we took a leap of faith and decided to have an intimate civil wedding in the height of the pandemic after just a week of planning. With only ten people physically present, including us and the officiant, we exchanged our vows on February 28, 2021 in Seasons in the Park Restaurant, Queen Elizabeth Park in Vancouver. We were just going to have a simple, no-fuss wedding but Mickee’s family adorned the rustic interiors of the Garden Vista room with candles, white florals, and greenery from Mickee’s collection of plants he grew during the pandemic. My family overseas, and our friends and relatives were also in attendance virtually. We felt the love despite the distance. This was not the wedding we planned, but it was perfect in its own little way. Our hearts were full. The first several months of being husband and wife was blissful, although to be honest, every day was not a walk in the park. Living together made us to discover the less likable attributes of each other, deal with our differences, and resolve conflicts face to face. At the end of each day, we loved and accepted each other, flaws and all. During the first year of being spouses, each of us made significant leaps in our career. While pursuing the path to become a doctor in Canada, I took a detour and attempted a career in the academe. I got employed as a clinical instructor in St. George’s University, a medical school based in Grenada. In the beginning, the work was remote and online, which worked out for me very well as I get to make a living while in the comfort of home. However, as the pandemic abated and travel restrictions eased up, the university wanted me to work onsite. With Mickee’s 100% support, I half-heartedly set forth to the Carribean and continued working for SGU. While it felt like a vacation being in a small island surrounded by beautiful beaches, my heart was longing for my husband. Mickee, on the other hand, also ventured into a whole different field when he enrolled in a nine-month program to become a health care support worker, something he believed that would allow him to connect with me in a new level which currently holds true. After yet again six months of long distance, I came back to Vancouver and picked up where I left off in my pursuit of becoming a licensed doctor in Canada. I recently passed the nerve-wracking second exam required to apply for the Canadian Residency Matching Service (CaRMS) and Mickee now works with Vancouver Coastal Heath in giving home care support to those in need and continues to use his talents in acting/dancing through PraiseTEAM and Premiere Talent Management Agency. All this while planning for a wedding overseas—the wedding we are excited to celebrate and share with all of you! “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.” -Jeremiah 29:11-12