Josh and Reah

Even if we were both 8 year olds, I called her “ate” when we were still in Children’s church. When I was in Primary class, she was already in the Juniors class. It was most probably the obvious difference in height that either made me look much younger or made her look like my “ate.” Since the growth spurt was not yet happening any time in the near future, (and to this day, I think it never really did), she was at least a foot taller than me. Like any 8 year old boy, I did not care much about girls. I did not even care if she existed. In any case, this was how I came to know Reah, the woman who, back then, I never realized would turn out to be the woman of my life.

It was during a Summer Vacation Bible School week that I had one of the most important revelations I have ever had in my life. Reah and I were assigned to be councilors to a group of 5 kids. Reah was the head councilor and I was her assistant. The two of us lead our group and bested 5 others to become the overall champion in that VBS. But that did not matter to me for it was during this time that I fell deeply in love with Reah. This was when our friendship blossomed.

When I was in college, I began to court her. I made sure that whenever I had the chance, I would pick her up in UP in my gold Honda Civic, which increased my “market value” and sort of compensated for my lack of height.

Finally, on January 8, 2005, she said that all important “YES!”. I will never forget that moment. We were in the car in the college parking lot in Ateneo when she told me to look at her left earring. Lo and behold, the earring stared right back at me in bold and gold letters, “YES!” I swore I felt a massive amount of blood fill my entire head and caused a head rush that you only experience when you realize you’ve won the lotto. Reah not only became my tall and beautiful girlfriend. She became my best friend.

I will not deny that our relationship has had its generous share of those “ups” and “downs.” Our experience has brought forth the best and the worst in me. What I am truly thankful for though, is that God had been with me, with Reah and me the whole nine yards. Indeed, the strongest and most beautiful samurai is the one which goes through the most intense fire and battery.

I love my girlfriend with my life. In a few months, I will declare to the whole world that she is my wife: The woman whom God has intended for me, the woman whom I will spend the rest of my life with.

I cannot thank God enough for what (or rather, who) He has given me. Once, Reah and I were reading a book about love and relationship and I know deep in my heart that God spoke to us through that book. As we browsed through its pages, one line suddenly popped out. It read, “When you know deep in your heart who the person God wants you to spend the rest of your life with, forever can’t start soon enough.” I certainly can’t.

-josh