Our Love Story
Let me share how our paths crossed, how our relationship blossomed over the years, and how our commitment to each other and our shared faith in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints have been foundational in our journey together.
Anatolin and I were both raised by our goodly parents. I was born in San Jose Del Monte Bulacan on February 21, 1982. When I was two years old, our family moved to Bauang, La Union, where we met Sister Lumacad and Sister Mcnutt, missionaries from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Our family accepted the gospel on June 10, 1984 and was sealed at the Manila Philippines Temple on February 1,1986, two years after it's dedication. Anatolin was born in San Jose Agoo, La Union on June 25, 1982. Their whole family was baptized in the church in May 1988.
Anatolin said he first saw me when we were twelve years old at a Regional Conference where an apostle of the Lord, Elder Quentin L. Cook, presided over the San Fernando La Union Stake Conference on November 23, 1997. The purpose of the conference was to announce the creation of the Aringay Philippines Stake from the San Fabian Pangasinan Stake (Anatolin's former stake) and the San Fernando La Union Stake (my former stake). Recalling that moment, he described me as having long black hair and wearing a black jumper dress with an orange blouse. He believed it was "Love at first sight."
In March 1998, we attended our first Seminary Stake class at the Agoo Chapel under the new Aringay Stake. It was during this time that I first took notice of him. His proficiency in scripture mastery captured my young heart. We both actively participated in our seminary classes. The subsequent year, we graduated from seminary, and both of us were honored with the title "Scriptorian of the Year" under the guidance of our CES Coordinator, Manuel Paredes.
The following Sunday, on April 19, he surprised me by attending our church service in Bauang with two other friends. After the meetings, we invited them to our home. Subsequently, he began visiting me regularly on weekends, either alone or with friends.
In one of his visits in May 1998, we made a promise in front of our house not to enter into a relationship with anyone else but to prepare ourselves for each other. I would complete college, and he would serve a mission. We were both fifteen when we made these commitments. I saw him again in 2001 when he and his sister Maricris attended my 18th birthday, and at 19, we participated in the Multi-Stake Single Adult Conference for three days at Legarda Chapel, Baguio City.
In one of his visits in May 1998, we made a promise in front of our house not to enter into a relationship with anyone else but to prepare ourselves for each other. I would complete college, and he would serve a mission. We were both fifteen when we made these commitments. I saw him again in 2001 when he and his sister Maricris attended my 18th birthday, and at 19, we participated in the Multi-Stake Single Adult Conference for three days at Legarda Chapel, Baguio City.
On my 20th birthday in 2002, I received a letter from him along with a Cebuano Book of Mormon. I learned that he was serving in the Philippines Cagayan De Oro Mission under President Federico Costales. I replied to his letter but waited until June to send it on his birthday. In my response, I encouraged him to excel in his mission and RETURN WITH HONOR. I also shared details about my role as a seminary teacher, my major, my application to BYU-Hawaii, my part-time job as a DJ at a local radio station, and other activities. This was my first and final letter to him during his two-year mission.
In March 2003, I graduated from the Institute of Religion and met his brother Ferdinand after the ceremony at the Aringay Stake Center. I learned from him that Anatolin would be returning home from his mission in a few months.
In March 2003, I graduated from the Institute of Religion and met his brother Ferdinand after the ceremony at the Aringay Stake Center. I learned from him that Anatolin would be returning home from his mission in a few months.
In September 2003, while staying at my sister Mary Grace and brother-in-law's house in Calumbaya, I received a phone call from him. He mentioned his plan to travel to San Fernando to deliver a letter from his mission president to President Mina and expressed his desire to visit our house. Our first meeting after his mission was deeply spiritual. He shared verses from the scriptures, and we prayed together. Subsequently, he visited me regularly and assisted with the operations at my sister's canteen.
On October 6, 2003, I woke up earlier than usual, filled with joy and peace in my heart, possibly a confirmation from the Spirit. After personal prayer and scripture study, I texted him expressing my love. This message marked the beginning of our informal relationship, making him my first boyfriend at the age of 21. However, shortly after, I received news of his illness and rushed to visit him at Agoo Regional Hospital with my brother Khiss and a new friend, Cris. On October 21, 2003, (coinciding with my father's birthday and the wedding day of Ate Apple and Kuya Alvin), we formalized our relationship at the temple.
Every day became special from that moment onward as we made plans and set goals. Initially intending for me to pursue serving a mission and him to complete college, we later decided to prepare for our temple marriage instead. Both of us found jobs in Tarlac City. Despite facing temptations and challenges before our marriage, we were fortunate to have the gospel knowledge, support from our families, friends, and Bishop Edwin Garcia of Tarlac 3rd Ward to guide us through those trials.
On April 23, 2005, at the age of 23, Anatolin and I were united in matrimony for time and eternity at the Manila Philippines Temple in Quezon City, Metro Manila, by Temple President Ray W. Nelson. Our fathers, Felix Laroco Padilla and Floro Fundales Estayo, served as witnesses. Our temple marriage marked the beginning of our eternal journey together, a simple and solemn ceremony made truly special and memorable by the presence of our families and dear friends.
As we stood hand in hand at the altar of the Manila Philippines Temple, surrounded by loved ones and the spirit of eternity, we embarked on a journey that transcended time and space. Our temple marriage symbolized not just a union of two hearts but a commitment to walk side by side, hand in hand, through life's joys and trials.
The simplicity and solemnity of that sacred ceremony echoed the depth of our love and the promise of an eternal companionship. With each passing day, we continue to build on the foundation of love, trust, and mutual respect that has guided us from the beginning.
Our love story is a tapestry woven with threads of dedication, sacrifice, and unwavering devotion. It is a story of two souls intertwined by destiny, bound by love, and united in purpose. And as we journey forward, hand in hand, we know that our love will continue to grow, deepen, and endure, for eternity.
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