James Earl R. Rempillo
Mary Edna Joyce A. Lim
Our Love Story
A chance encounter that led to happily ever after
Our first interaction was during the summer before we entered college.
James: I was casually sending friend requests to all my blockmates from a list of incoming freshmen. Having the same surname – Lim – one of my blockmates’ names was next to Mary’s name. By accident, I looked up Mary and mistakenly sent her a friend request. I did remember thinking that I was fortunate to have a blockmate as pretty as her.
Mary: True to my nature, I was skeptical at first when I received James’s friend request whose only mutual thing with me at that time was that, based on his Facebook profile, he goes to UP Manila. I thought to myself, “How did this guy find me?” At the same time though, I felt excited about having my first Facebook friend from UP Manila. What could go wrong, right? So, I accepted the friend request.
Nothing came of it though – immediately, at least. An entire school year almost passed. We met other people, made new friends, and went through different experiences.
James: One day, I saw a beautiful lady walking down the grand staircase of the college lobby. I distinctly remembered seeing her somewhere before. I really got the feeling that I knew her somehow. So that night, I went to a computer shop (since around this time, mobile data and wi-fi were still scarce) to confirm if I was friends with her on Facebook. I then realized that she was the same person whom I added months back. I knew right there and then that I have a crush on her. As luck would have it, our org's tambayan was in the college lobby where she often passed by. For a time, I was happy just to get a glimpse of her. However, I realized this wasn't enough, so I tried to see and get to know her more.
Mary: By the last few months of the school year, I suddenly noticed seeing James wherever I went – in the same restaurant where I was having lunch, at the empty college lobby after my latest class of the day, and by the bus stop where I waited for my bus ride home.
James: Little did she know that I was already mustering up the courage to introduce myself by that time. On the 22nd of March 2011 — with the help of a mutual friend — I finally went ahead and did it. The chance encounter turned into taking chances. Luckily, we clicked right away and started talking every day.
Mary: I was instantly captivated by his charm, good looks, and wit. He was a gentleman in the truest sense of the word. He made me feel loved and cared for every single day since we met. The more I got to know him, the more I knew he was my answered prayer.
We went on numerous dates – we visited museums, zoos, and aquariums. We enjoyed eating together and trying new restaurants. However, our favorite part of each day was after school hours when we got to travel home together. It didn't matter even if it took 2 hours or more because of traffic, rain, or flood – as long as we were together.
We became immersed in each other’s lives and got to know each other better. We relished doing even the simplest of tasks together – running errands, achieving our health goals, talking about each other's day, and making the other laugh.
We celebrated countless milestones and achievements together. And like every relationship, there were hard times, too, but our love and support for each other always conquered every obstacle along the way.
Now, almost thirteen years later, we still look forward to going home all the time – only this time, it's to each other. And here we are – making each chance count, and getting married soon!
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"A Day in Our Lives"
