Our story began in this summer of 2010 right before our high school freshman year. When school started, we walked to the bus stop together every day. Every morning, Paolo brought freshly toasted Nutella pandesals. Or so we thought-- We thought our story began in the summer of 2010, but as it turns out, our story started before we even met. Our families attended the same church in the Philippines and worked together in the 80s/90s. What's even crazier is that we didn't know about this connection until we went back to the Philippines together for the first time in 2016. By then we'd already been together for years. As corny as it sounds, it feels like we were two paths that were destined to cross. Like the universe has conspired to make sure that we would be in each other's lives. And I know it's so cliche, but I think people are put into our lives for a reason-- to help us overcome something, help us learn more about ourselves or unlearn deeply internalized trauma. Whatever it may be and however long it may be, every connection is meaningful. We count ourselves as one of the lucky ones. We met when we were young and have been inseparable since. Our relationship has evolved. We went from strangers to friends to girlfriend and boyfriend and now, we're excited to be life partners!

His Story: In March 2021, we flew to Denver, got a camper van and drove to the Grand Canyon. After four different states, 30+ hours of driving and 1600 miles of pavement, I finally popped the question. This is the story of how it went. We arrived at the trailhead an hour early to the scheduled time I had arranged with our photographer, David. With no cell service, the last text I sent him was, “I hope we can be there at the same time”. As we’re getting ready, I tell sunshine to “dress up a bit”. I peak out our curtains and see a man with a camera head to the trail. There’s still hope, I thought. While slushing through melted snow, I couldn’t help but think about the moments leading up to this: asking her out in her car, the lame card I used to ask her to prom, joking with her girls about how I would ask, searching for the right ring, FaceTiming her dad for his approval and the laughs we shared traveling the world. I couldn’t help but think if things went according to plan, that this would be the start of a whole new chapter of our lives. We get to the viewpoint and it’s beautiful. We put our things aside, I set down the GoPro and grabbed both her hands. “Okay, you probably already guessed why we’re here”. I drop to one knee, she brings her hands to her face and I ask as my eyes begin to water. “Sunshine Camille Malicdem Arcilla, will you marry me?”. Her Strory: I bought us a ticket to Colorado on a whim. I thought it was just going to be another classic Paolo and Shine adventure until Paolo started dropping not-so-subtle hints. People ask if I knew it was coming or not, and the truth is, I 1000% knew. Weeks before our trip, he blurted out, "OH man, I can't wait for this trip babe! Got to get a haircut. Getting your nails done?!" "Hmm... Maybe," I said casually. I was really thinking, "Real slick, Paolo!" Even though I knew, it was still a very special moment. It was perfect, not because it was at the Grand Canyon. It was perfect because it was him.