Our Once Upon A Time.. :)

I have been in a relationship for more than 8 years now. It was not the typical type kasi we never really started with the basic "ligawan" stage.

Yes girls, ako ung naunang nagkagusto sa kanya.

This is something I am not ashamed to broadcast. Wala namang masama kung ang babae ang unang nagkagusto sa lalake.

There is this video they took back in highschool, nakasave sa cellphone ng common friend naming si Raniel. Nadaanan lang siya sa video and he smiled. Todo pause ako sa video makita ko lang talaga siya. Nabighani ako!(Naks!) Since then, parati ko ng kinukulit si Raniel na ipakilala siya sa akin. Problem is, sa Baguio siya nagaaral at currently committed to an almost 2-year relationship with a highschool sweetheart. But... They're oceans apart. (hahaha!) I never had 3rd party issues with my exes but I am against people who ruin other happy couple's relationships. I did not intend to do this to them but there's really something about this guy that I really really want to meet him. At dahil sa kakulitan ko ay napapapayag ko si Raniel to setup a basketball game this sembreak (last week of October 2006). Actually, si Raniel lang ang naging daan dahil siya ang nag set ng game. Pero ang totoong nagpakilala sa amin ay si Renz. Common friend din namin siya na nagkataong super close friend niya.

Finally, I met him.

His name is Waldo. I offered a hand shake. He did not respond. He did not even smile. Hanggang sa kinuha ni Renz ang kamay niya at napilitan nalang siya makipag shake hands. I was super kilig na after a few days ko lang narealize na sinungitan pala niya ako. Anyway, after that game ay nagkayayaan na kumain. I even asked him to come pero ayaw daw niya. Strike two for me! At first I thought crush lang siguro talaga kasi right after noon ay wala na. Syempre narealize ko nga ilang beses niya akong sinungitan at obviously hindi niya ako type. Although, I admire his faithfulness to his girlfriend, then.

After a few days, I celebrated my 19th birthday in a private resort owned by my guy bestfriend, Jigs. I was thinking of inviting him to my party so I took his number from Raniel. No hidden agenda guys. But I was too busy preparing that I forgot to invite him.

It was a Sunday night, 31st of December 2006, while I was busy helping my parents prepare our Media Noche, my phone rang.

I missed a call from an unknown number. When I was about to ask who it was, I received a text message. It was him. My crush from the video, Waldo.

Since then, madalas na kaming nagkakatext. We talked about everything. Pero we never had a chance to go out. Until I found out na merong week long Leadership Camp ang aming University, to be held at Baguio. I was currently the Treasurer of our Department so I signed up for it. It was almost the end of the leadership camp but he still haven't dropped by so it kind of made me think that he is not really interested to see me. On our last day, I woke up extra early. Not just because I was still hoping but also because I wanted to take more pictures with friends. It turns out that it pays to wake up early because he finally decided to come see me. He said he'll be seeing me by 7am. So I took a bath immediately, with ice-cold water! (I'm not exaggerating!) Looking back, I honestly don't remember how I looked and what I wore that day. But for sure, I was excited. We were staying at Teacher's Camp. He was a few minutes earlier than expected. We met at the entrance.

He was in his baggy denim faded blue pants, loose navy blue polo shirt, white adidas sneakers, his super appealing semi bald self, and THE brown eyes that makes me melt inside.

Technically, it was not our first time to see each other. I'm not sure if it can be considered as our first date, either. We were both having a great time. He even bought taho for him and I. I politely declined it since I am not really eating/drinking taho. He was surprised. I didn't want to make an impression that I am a picky eater, which I am not. Let's just say that there are a few foods that I do not enjoy eating. Anyway, he still insisted. And I again declined. He end up eating both. After a while, we decided to stroll around Teacher's Camp and had a morning walk. Unfortunately, we met a not-so-friendly dogs along the way. Yes, I was scared to get bitten so I was walking a little bit faster than usual. (Minus points for me again!) He knew I was scared so he gently held my hand. Kilig-to-the-bones! Sadly, I have to go back to our seminar. And he also have classes to attend to.

It was really a morning to remember! It was also a wake up call to reality. I knew from the start that he is already in a relationship with another girl. And hoping for a "forever" future of him and I will never happen.

After a few days, I tried to avoid him, not totally, but I wanted to be distant. I tried. But I failed. The more I try to avoid him, the more I go crazy in love with him. Yes, I fell in love. Just like what Blackstreet said, It came over me in a rush when I realized that I love him so much. I don't know if he feels the same way. I don't even want to know at all.

January 25, 2007 --- LOVE kills you, both when you have it and when you don't.

We were both ready to stop whatever we have. But after a few minutes, we realized how much we liked each other. He is still with her but he knows that he also wants me. It was good enough for me, at that moment, so I agreed to be the the 2nd girlfriend. It was a crazy and stupid decision. What's worse is that he asked me to keep our relationship as a secret first. He was planning to end his relationship with her but he wants her to hear it from him not from anybody else.

January 28 -- When you have expectations, you are setting yourself up for disappointment.

He came home from Baguio so we can have our first real date as a couple. I didn't want him to fetch me so we decided to meet at the mall instead. I was surprised that he brought along his best friend, Renz. On our first real date. We had nothing planned, so we just watched a movie, Agent X44. After the movie, I went home. Nothing memorable. It was honestly a disappointing first date.

The following Sunday, he went home again to see me. We visited Manaoag church, and then I brought him to Bonuan, where we had our photoshoot a few days ago. The place was simple. We just stood there and enjoyed the beach. I think he was being sweet because he suddenly hugged me. I think it was his way of making up from last week's horrible date. But this time it was very memorable. It was where we had our first kiss. My first real kiss.

February 8 -- There is no surprise more magical than the surprise of being loved.

He surprised me. He went home to watch and support me on my pageant. I never expected him to do that. I only won 4th place but I felt like I was the prettiest girl in the world.

February 14 -- The act of giving flowers elicits a real smile, more often than other gifts of similar cost.

It was my first Valentine's Day with my boyfriend. He got me a bouquet of purple flowers. I was never a fan of flowers, but that's when I started falling in love with them.

As days goes by, we fell more deeply in love with each other. He finally ended his relationship with her. He chose me over her.

We always celebrate the 25th day of every month. And we've been celebrating it for the past 8 years. Today marks our 99th month together. In 8 months, I will be marrying the greatest love of my life.

They didn’t agree on much. In fact, they didn’t agree on anything. They fought all the time and challenged each other ever day. But despite their differences, they had one important thing in common. They were crazy about each other. - Nicholas Sparks