When I (Aida) first started working on our Provinical Hospital . I was a reigstered Dietician who worked with a few coworkers , a cook and food server. The cook that I worked with was Mrs Rosita Ruiz. She asked me if i had a boyfriend , which i said yes. At my age and as a newly graduate , i was ashamed for not having a boyfriend yet. It’s not that i didnt have suitors or crushes but as the eldest of 6 , it was a sacrifice on my part. I was given a task to not get invovled myself with a love life because i need to be strong , focus on graduating and getting to a good job so my other siblings can go to college too. One day Auntie Roise wanted to introduce me to her nephew (Luis) that was currently in the Philippine Marines assigned in Mindanao. I said yes and from then on she called me the girlfriend of her nephew ( just for fun). Months have passed but her nephew has not been back from Mindanao . I was getting gifts from him but in reality it was from Auntie Roise. On a Sunday afternoon , I was leaving work earlier to have dinner with my friends . When I saw a very good looking man , wearing a white shirt and denim jeans. I mentioned to my friends and both of them laughed and said you already have a boyfriend that you haven’t met yet. Upon approaching the restaurant, I saw the same guy with some of his friends and realize that he is Luis . Tomeng ( my friends boyfriend) immediately went inside and introduced Luis to me as his girlfriend. Most the guys laughed and i felt embarrassed. But as he started coming home more (he was visiting from Manila to the province) , he visited me at the hospital and even my home in Calibuyo. He got to meet my friends and family . While he visits me he never mentions the status of his courtship ( if MU lang, or in a relationship na kami) But I saw that my friends and family were getting comfortable with him , especially my grandpa and i felt very happy about it . In one his visits he gave me a ring 💍 eventhough i havent answered him about the status of our relationship . He said it’s ok but when im ready to answer him , he asked me to wear the ring and that would be enough of answer for him . It took awhile (pakipot pa ako ) 😃 When he was transferring to a different assignment he told me that he wont be able to visit me for a while . So I started wearing the around , it was so cute and dainty on my finger and Auntie Rosie noticed it . Luis unexpectedly visited one day and I was so excited to see him that I forgot to take off the ring . He took me to dinner and when he squeezed my hand he noticed I was wearing his ring . We looked at eachother but he didnt say anything. From then one he became more loving and respectful to me and my family. In the 3 years of dating ,we decided to get married and as they say " the rest is history" With our children and our beautiful grandkids .. We are now celebrating our 50th Wedding anniversary. THANK YOU FOR ALL THAT HAVE BEEN WITH US THROUGH IT ALL. AND FOR ALL OUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS THAT HAVE HELPED ,TRAVELLED AND SUPPORTED US . WE CANT WAIT TO CELEBRATE ! - 🧡 LUIS and AIDA

The RING that started it all . And our wedding rings .