Day 1 - A Valentine like no other! Mark's visit for the first time in the Philippines (February 14, 2025)
At NAIA Terminal 3, 8:30AM when me and Mark finally saw each other for the first time. It felt wonderfully surreal!
Though there was some delay, but the wait was ultimately worth it!
My cousin Marvin went out of his way to join me and fetch Mark from the airport, and he drove for us from February 14-18.
Mark's surprises and gifts were a delight to my heart! (Songs for Johanna, The Rising Son Musical, Teddy Bear)
After dropping by Mark's condo in Grace Residences, we bought grocery items in Puregold, Tuktukan Taguig City (snacks, toiletries). There, I received an important message regarding Mark's passport so afterwards we returned in NAIA Terminal 3 to retrieve it.
Mark finally met my parents over late lunch. We arrived at Hagonoy, Taguig at around 2-2:30PM.
Finally, it is happening, and I can't hardly believe it. For the last 5 years of our more than 10 years of friendship, we have been tested and I was not expecting anymore that we could ever meet each other, one day. It's not that I no longer wanted to meet Mark in person, but I just wanted the best for him and I. Travelling to the other side of the world and crossing the oceans, I can only imagine the difficulties, the cost, the risks, the sacrifice, and the challenges. I was already grateful and content that we had been reconciled, and God has been faithful in healing, restoring, and renewing our lives, our hearts, and minds. It is indeed, already a gift and a miracle. But God was not yet done, and He still have a lot of surprises and turnaround in our love story. I give all the glory, praises, and honor to God. Finally, this is the day that the Lord has made, Mark and I had rejoiced and were glad in it-- beyond glad, dancing in gladness.
I cannot begin to explain what I've felt on the day itself of Mark's arrival, there seems to be no word for it. I was floating, I was flying (like a butterfly), I cannot fully process the mix of excitement, nerves, gratitude, joy, overthinking (since it's our very first time to meet each other), astonishment, combined with lack of sleep as I had to report to my night shift work (half-day) before going to the airport at 5-6AM. Time did not seem to exist at that moment I was waiting for him. The world stopped. My life will never be the same. I just can't believe we are having a milestone experience, and we are entering a new season, an unknown new level, both bravely sailing uncharted waters.
Aunt Minda's son Marvin/Kuya Aben had been so supportive, kind, accommodating in driving for me, and for Mark on this day of his arrival. We thank the Lord for the blessing of a loving family.
The vast airport and sea of people seemed like a blur to me as I waited and anticipated Mark's presence. I was floating with my emotions and thoughts that were too many to count or identify-- how would it feel to touch him finally?, will we get along fine?, I wonder what will we talk about, what are the surprises he kept hinting about before, what will happen to his visit, is it going to be awkward?... The anticipation kept building up, until I already felt like numb. There has been some kind of delay that we didn't understand yet, and I'm so glad Kuya Marvin was there to lift my spirits up and make me laugh. He really has a great sense of humor, and God had grown him into a man of depth and wisdom. Finally, the wait is over and it was Kuya Marvin who spotted Mark walking towards us. Upon seeing him, hugging, and looking deeply into his blue-green eyes, all I could say with all my heart was "You are real, you're here." My heart is exploding with gratefulness: Lord, thank you for the safe travels for my beloved Mark, thank you Lord for your goodness and lovingkindness 🙏💗🙌
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