IT WAS December, 2000. First love letter sent.
“You are the first girl that ever touched my heart and I can’t make my Christmas merry without sending this letter to you,” Carlos Felipe “Doy-doy” Cuyos, a sixth grader boy, wrote to Revelen “Rev” Solis in the guise of “admirer,” too afraid to confess his crush to the lovely young girl in fifth grade at the Assumption Academy of Compostela, Compostela Valley.
“When I sent it (letter) I was in mixed emotions. I remember, recess was my favorite time during grade school as it was the best time to chance a sight of her,” Doy recalled the magical feeling to his then crush.
It was February, 2001. Second love letter was sent.
Still, he was not disclosing his identity. But days passed and high school came. Rev, acting like she knows nothing about the letters (though their teacher told her so) asked Doy to sign her little slum book.
“Who is your crush?"
Braving the challenge, Doy took the opportunity to avow his hidden feelings.
It was mutual.
Since mobile phones are not that accessible before for youngsters and getting into relationship is strictly a no for their parents. Both kept their relationship in secret and expressed their feelings through love letters, where it all started.
Exchange of incredibly romantic letters happened for two years (2002-2004). Yes two years of love letters. Nothing more.
“We had our first personal conversation as lovers in 2005 that is more than two years since we entered into relationship. Imagine that? We only had our chance to talk when both of us [were] elected as President (Doy) and Vice President in our Supreme Student Government (SSG),” Rev shared.
But when typhoon Pablo happened in December 2012, all the hundreds of carefully-kept love letters were flashed away somewhere unknown. The same happened to their love.
“He left to pursue his dream and figure out his life and adjust to a new environment he is in, this time without me,” Rev said. Doy, upon entering college in Davao City, decided to end their relationship and grow apart.
Four years passed by. Both went on living separate ways. They made new friends, pursued education, enjoyed single lives and tried new relationships with new partner/s. It was almost okay but…
2009. First text message sent after breakup.
“I texted her on her birthday. I did not introduce myself because I was not expecting a reply. But of my surprise she knew it was me, memorize pala niya number ko (she actually memorized my number) even after years, so we texted for hours until dawn,” Doy shared.
And the catching up continues until 2010 when both decided to renew their love, realizing both are longing for each other, so deeply.
Doy shared he was partly in regret and thankful of the breakup as it allowed them to grow mature apart and in the process realized and appreciate more how dear and important each other for them.
“In winning her back, I am willing to do anything just to have her back. Though I regret about initiating the breakup because it could have mean more time together, still, I am thankful, I guess it was God’s plan to prepare us, and now we are whole and ready,” he said.
December 25, 2016. A white gold ring was offered.
“It was Christmas, when we visited my grandmother’s grave. He proposed. I said yes, of course,” she happily shared saying the proposal was kept private, just for the both of them.
With their relationship, Rev realized that some things that begin in grade school can last long, forever.
February 11, 2017. Two ties knot.
Last Saturday, both vowed to live for richer, for poorer, for better or for worse.
“I can’t be a perfect husband, father but I promise to love you all perfectly. Now I can say that I am more than ready to enter a married life with you,” Doy said to Rev.
In response, Rev said:
“Being in each other's lives for more than half our entire existence may seem boring to some. I don't know about that, though, as I've been with ‘different people’ the past years. I have been with an ambitious 13-year-old, a compulsive 16-year-old, a hopeless romantic 21-year-old, a goal-driven 24-year-old and a responsible 28-year-old man.”
“To the one person I've grown up with and will start growing old with, I love you,” she said.
Their endless love for each other, like the letters, was sealed with trust, delivered with patience and signed with faith.
But unlike those letters flashed away by the flood, their love will remain constant, steady and flowing engraved in stones for ages.