Our Engagement Story
I had a dream of myself being in this beautiful home on a typical Sunday afternoon where I would see my kids running after the other while my wife is busy preparing some homemade cookies for them to enjoy. Looking from afar is me, doing some woodworks for my youngest kid who requested this for a school project.I woke up still with this scene in mind and I hurriedly called her up and told her the whole story after which I asked her,
"Do you see yourself in this picture, honey? Would you want to be a part of this family?"
Her answer was a glorified "Yes I do" and I was so happy. I thought to myself that this was the woman who was willing to grow old with me.

The next day, I logged on to www.interflora.com.au and picked a basket of mixed roses with a heart-shaped balloon to go and asked the deliveryman to include a note that says, "Will you marry me? Promise, I wouldn't make you cry?"

And that was how I got to say my marriage proposal. Not fancy like an out of the book fairy tale. Just a plain honest-to-goodness way of telling her how much I love her and I would want to be with her for the rest of my golden years.

- Paul

How we fell in love
December 21, 2000- it was a festive yuletide season as my company, Compaq, held the usual year-end party to which employees can invite their family and friends. Never have I known that I'll be meeting my future wife in this party. Maricris, my colleague, of whom Amy was her college best friend, casually introduced us during the party. Instantly, sparks were flying between us. It was then that I knew, that she was the woman Maricris wanted me to meet who was based in Sydney, Australia. The rest was history.

February-April 2001 - it was up to me if I wanted to pursue my perfect match so I chatted with her, called her through www.dialpad.com, and of course, the SMS technology was at its forefront in the Philippines so messages were flying between Manila and Sydney.

May 1, 2001 - I received a letter coming from my boss asking me to attend a Storage Area Network Academy course in Sydney which would run for 2 weeks. I was ecstatic! This was the moment I was waiting for. The opportunity to see her again was anticipated. I was so happy.

After arriving at the Sydney airport, she was the first person I called. Told her I will be staying at the Duxton hotel, and invited her for dinner. She came to my hotel and she took me to Doyle's at Circular Quay for a seafood treat. The food was great! But seeing her in flesh again after being my digital partner for a long time was even better. I fell in love again. And this time, I can feel the butterflies flying in my stomach.

Next day, I went to visit her at her office in Chatswood. Then, she invited me for dinner in her apartment where she cooked me an impeccable "afritada". We sang the whole night using her videoke home system and I never had such fun in my life making an ass of myself. I never knew I could sing!

During the morning till late afternoon I attended the SAN academy and in the evening we would meet. During the weekends, we go on a date, and she took me to different places in Sydney. I loved every moment with her.

May 12, 2001 - Amy needs to fly to Sta. Clara, California to attend the Peoplesoft Bootcamp training. I accompanied her to the airport as we bade our goodbyes. Loneliness starts creeping in me the next few hours after her departure. I knew I was really smitten by this gregarious person. And I knew, this wasn't the last time I would be seeing her.

The next day, I had to leave early for Manila. It was fun in Sydney. Though, it felt like my heart was left down under.

May-June 2001 - kept contact with her through Dialpad and chatted with her during her free time. I kept the flames flickering making distance an effortless hindrance in our case. She appreciated me even more. I knew this was going somewhere.

July 5, 2001 - This was the date chosen when we officially called ourselves "lovers", in every definition meant by it. We knew from this day forth that we would be having a commitment, and that loyalty between us would ensue. No more dates with other parties, and no more suitors. We'll be taking this relationship seriously and it starts at this day.

September 13, 2001 - Who says lightning doesn't strike at the same place? This was disproved when I got another request from a colleague for to attend another Storage Area Network training in Singapore. Cupid was pushing his luck again this time where he would be reuniting Amy and me since Amy will be staying in Singapore from September 12-16 to visit her friends. My training was a week after so I decided to have myself booked earlier so I could have the chance to meet the love of my life.

We picked up the pieces we have left in Sydney and now was a good time to put all those together again after four long months. Singapore was then another Sydney story.

October 8, 2001 - I had a dream of myself being in this beautiful home on a typical Sunday afternoon where I would see my kids running after the other while my wife is busy preparing some homemade cookies for them to enjoy. Looking from afar is me, doing some woodworks for my youngest kid who requested this for a school project. I woke up still with this scene in mind and I hurriedly called her up and told her the whole story after which I asked her, "Do you see yourself in this picture, honey? Would you want to be a part of this family?" Her answer was a glorified "yes I do" and I was so happy. I thought to myself that this was the woman who was willing to grow old with me.

The next day, I logged on to www.interflora.com.au and picked a basket of mixed roses with a heart-shaped balloon to go and asked the deliveryman to include a note that says, "Will you marry me? Promise, I wouldn't make you cry." And that was how I got to say my marriage proposal. Not fancy like an out of the book fairy tale. Just a plain honest-to-goodness way of telling her how much I love her and I would want to be with her for the rest of my golden years.

We even created a website that would document our love affair for our future kids to view. You can find this at http://paul-amy.faithweb.com/. We also opened an exclusive yahoogroups webpage for our friends here and abroad to be able to take part in this blossoming relationship.

October 12-14, 2001 - I asked Amy's permission to meet her family after which I went straight to Sariaya, Quezon to pay my respects to her parents. Spent my weekend in Sariaya serving her family like the usual Filipino tradition of courting which includes "paninilbihan" or serving the parents. It was both fun and a learning experience for me.

I felt I was a part of the family already. I felt victorious. Now everything else comes easy.. so to say...

December 15, 2001 - Amy arrives from Sydney. Never was I so nervous driving myself to the airport while trying to imagine how our first glance would be again after being separated for three months. I waited impatiently as the minutes became seconds till my cell phone rang trumpeting her arrival. I instantly called her up still unbelieving that I'm talking to my fiancee here in Manila. I asked her to go up the departure area so I could see her instantly. And there she was indeed, my loving woman whom my eyes shall set upon each day I wake up in my entire life. I got out of the car and gave her the warmest hug I could while planting my lips on hers. It was the sweetest thing.

December 17, 2001 - Met with the photographer, videographer, and went to Caleruega to show her our chosen chapel. She fell in love with it at an instant. We checked out Tagaytay Royale to show her if she likes it as it was my first option. It was just a quick smile that she gave in agreement. So I brought her to Canyon Woods which was another option and now I can't take that lovely smile from her face which turned to a grin. This was her clear choice basing from her reaction.

December 19, 2001 - informed my parents that we'd be going to Sariaya to meet Amy's parents. This was the "pamamanhikan". From the word "panik" (which means to ascend or to climb a house's flight of stairs),"pamamanhikan" is "the asking for the girl's parents' permission to wed the affianced pair." The custom symbolizes honour and respect for the parents, seeking their blessing and approval before getting married.

We had brought some pancit to show the Ilocano way of making pancit canton to the Tagalogs. It was a blending of two different cultures and it was fun. A lot of close relatives arrived at the place and shared this important occasion with us. Then we have the serious talks where both parents would then ask our plans after the wedding and how we intend to live the married life. It was an eye-opener for both of us who are still at the footstep of life's intricacies.

January 6, 2002 - Amy flew back to Sydney due to vacation leave lapsing.

February 2, 2002 - Amy arrives in Manila. Continue church wedding preparations.

February 12, 2002 - Church Wedding at the Transfiguration Chapel, Caleruega Batulao. Reception at the Canyon Woods Resort Club, Diokno Highway, Tagaytay City.