True love always finds a way...
Falling in love is never a decision, it is always by chance. Staying in love is never a chance, it is always by choice. But what if you both belong to two different worlds? Do you still choose to fight for the love you have? Living in a society where everything seems possible because of technology, would you still ever take the chance of falling in love? As hard as it is, I have had the courage to take the risk just to give my love a chance.
Yes, I am in love with someone I do not yet know, whose smile I only see in pictures and on webcam, whose touch I haven't yet felt. I am in love with someone I haven't met in person. I am not afraid, for I know when the place and time is right, I'll be led to that one person whom I've only dreamt of, because I know and I believe that true love waits, and true love moves in a mysterious way. I never really imagined myself being in love with someone through online dating. A lot of questions have been asked, yet only few answers have been given, until I've finally found the exact reason, and that reason is LOVE.
One day, I was checking my emails from a friend in Russia, hoping to have a good news rearding my invitation to work there, when I noticed that I had an offline message from a certain guy named Jack Leone, saying, "I wonder if I got your email add right?" It was a friend request in YM (yahoo messenger) in which I unhesitantly added him in my friends list. When I saw he was online I immediately sent him a reply message, thanking him for his request and of course asked him how he had gotten my email adding ntification. I then realized that he was exactly the same person who had sent me an emotigram at CM. It was from that moment on that we started chatting with each other religiously. Our constant chatting helped us to know each other deeper and to build a good friendship from a distance.
Chatting with Jack is the highlight of my day. Everytime I open the computer, I am filled with joy and excitement, hoping that Jack is online, too. Oh, how I love the feeling. Whenever he's not I feel sad and disappointed, yet, I patiently wait for him until his name pops-up and I begin to feel better. It is with Jack that I feel a certain spark from all of the rest, even from the first time that we've talked. Knowing a decent person online is never easy. Mostly, they are rude and perverted, but Jack is truly amazing, totally different from everyone I have known. At the early stage of our chatting, I was able to meet his family and that was so unusual, but it was very touching on my part, and I thought of introducing my family to him as well.
A month later, he asked me if I can be his official girlfriend, to make our chatting more official. I was so happy that time and I was speechless for a moment. There is nothing I wished for in that moment, but to give my feelings a chance. So, by December 18, 2007, Jack and I were officially bf/gf--a kind of relationship that is strange and unusual but worth taking a chance. When he told me he was planning to visit the Philippines to see me in person, I was too hesitant to believe until he sent me a copy of his booking details, and it was booked and dated December 5, 2007! I still couldn't believe it, until he finally came to the Philippines on February 9, 2008!
Our relationship is never easy. Just as an ordinary couple, we've went through hard times. There were times that we had misunderstandings that led to hurting each others feelings. Worst, deciding to end the relationship. But that lowest moment was the turning point, where we had built dreams together and later thinking of ending what we've started. But trials are always part of every relationship and with us, the trials had made our relationship even stronger. Our love even grew deeper and deeper for eah other.
On Saturday February 9, 2008 at 3:15 pm, the waiting was over. I was very anxious, yet so nervous to meet him. I thank God that my family was there with me to welcome him. The first time when I saw him from a far direction, I thought how I wanted to run to him and give him hugs and kisses, but I was too shy to do it. Turning around to let go of the feeling of anxiety that I had, I looked back and I saw him, and he looked at me. Our eyes met and we both understood what we both were trying to say. My heart beat faster as I walked towards him and I said to myself, "truly this must be the day!" As we stood to close to each other, words can't express how we felt, but our hugs said it all!
Every day spent with Jack was great. We had good times together, talking, laughing and just being close with him had made me feel good inside. Jack is such a nice guy, very down to earth, simple, people oriented. I've never had a dull moment with him, for he is hilarious, too! I wished the days did not have to end so fast.
Things began to happen unexpectedly. We had an early dinner in the late afternoon on February 13, 2008. During our meal, Jack began to feel sick. I was so worried about his condition. When his fever kept returning, that's when I decided that he should have a formal check-up. As the doctor said we have to stay there for a day to monitor Jack's condition, I knew there was something wrong. They feared it might be dengue fever, which made me more worried, but I never let Jack notice it, because I saw how fearful he was about dengue fever. When I saw him crying, I couldn't help myself and cried, too. I realized that time how I loved him. How I wish I was the one lying in bed, not him. Every needle that ran through his veins made me feel how I wanted to have them put in me, instead of in him so I could feel the pain instead of him. I felt so helpless at that moment because there was nothing that I could do but watch him suffer, so instead I comforted him with my tender loving care.
We spent the day of hearts, St. Valentine's Day, at the hospital. Truly, our Valentine's Day was unforgettable. It was not the way we wanted it to have been, but being with each other made it even more wonderful. Valentine's Day somehow is beyond cards, flowers, and chocolates. What matters the most, is how we show our love with the one we love.
One fine ordinary day would turn out to be the most memorable and unforgettable day of my life. Right in the middle of our conversation, Jack gave me a gift. When I unwrapped the gift, which was a little box. I excitedly opened it. Honestly, I had the feeling that I knew what was inside, but I also thought our relationship might be too premature for him to propose. As I opened the box, I was speechless. It really was an engagement ring. And not just a ring but a ring beautifully designed with diamonds.
Jack knelt down, and with me still in a state of loving shock, he said, "Joriz, will you marry me?" I felt completely happy hearing those words from Jack. Tears ran down my face, still unable to believe that Jack asked me to marry him! It was barely four months since we've known each other, and exactly seven days after we've met in person. He stood up and started wiping my tears with his kisses. I hugged him so tightly and gave him the box, as I said, "Yes Jack, I will marry you." For how could I have turned down someone who is so kind, nice, decent, very respectful, trustworthy, thoughtful, intelligent, oozing with humor, affectionate, and someone who has much love to offer--someone who from the start, I fell in love with even before I've met him.
The hardest part of our meeting was the day that he would have to leave and go back to his country. We made sure to have made every minute count. Even knowing that it would be temporary, it still hurt. Leaving is never easy, especially when you know how was it is to be with someone you love. What kept us going was knowing the fact that we were engaged before he finally had to leave. We know that no matter how far the distance and how long the process takes, our love draws us nearer until we will be together again, becoming one in the future as we've promised to love each other forever. My heart was too heavy when I started to pack his things. I hated the thought of him leaving, but I knew he had to. I started missing him, even though he was still with me. Everytime I close my eyes, our memories keep flashing back.
Saturday Feb.23, 2008 at 7:30pm, was the time for him to leave. No matter how hard we would cry and how strong we would hold each other, we couldn't escape the fact that the time had finally come when we had to part ways, until we would be together again.
The days had passed and the more I spend them away from him, the more I miss him and have found the true meaning of Jack for myself. Coming from a broken family, I was constantly in search of true happiness and fullfillment in life. It was always my desire to have a family of my own--a kind of family that I could be proud of. I've always prayed to God for Him to give me a wonderful person to love, and now I've thanked God for having brought Jack in my life because the day I met him was exactly the same day my prayer was answered. Jack is the greatest gift life could offer me. Our love is the most wonderful thing that has ever happened in my life. He has filled the emptiness in me. There's nothing that I could ask for. My life is complete because of him. If richness in life counts on being content with that someone you love, then I am rich, for I have someone named Jack in my life. It is our love that conquers all.
Yet, we all have to realize that love is not enough to make a relationship work. We need trust, respect, time, effort, and total commitment. If a person doesn't show respect, doesn't earn your trust, and can't keep a promise, then no matter how many times they say, "I love you," those words will be empty. Take time to listen on what they don't say. Take time to look at what they don't show, because there are secrets hidden beneath their words. Be sensitive enough. Don't let passion alone decide for you, but have the wisdom to love wisely because love is never easy. Before long, I was just a young girl with dream that had now come true.
