The love that stood against all odds

CEBU, Philippines - “Love always protects, always trusts, always hopes and always perseveres.” Corinthians 13:7

It is said that the minute we love, the world has something to use against us. This is exactly what happened to Hope and Neil. When their paths crossed on Valentine’s Day three years ago, it was as if the entire universe conspired against them. But, they fought for their love and were gifted with two beautiful angels, who were both born exactly on the same date their parents met. 

Written in the Stars

It was in early 2010 when Hope started entertaining ideas about whom she’ll spend the rest of her life with. She was already a nursing assistant then and was struggling to finish her Computer Science studies in one of the universities in the city. She did not know he would be granted to her on Valentine’s Day that year, when her cousin received flowers from a guy, who was bringing a friend in tow.

For the young girl, everything happened like a whirlwind.She was caught unaware of what was already happening. She was in the middle of a fling at that time and she was busy taking care of her work, her younger siblings and their family business. It took a while for her to realize that she was already on the path that was destined for her and the man she has now committed her life to.

Neil, on the other hand, was undaunted by Hope’s busy life and her seeming indifference to his affection. He asked for her number so he could send her text messages and even befriended her younger sister so he could get to know more about her. His misgivings about his lack of collegiate education and even his resolve never to love again after having been hurt before, flew out the window when he first laid eyes on the slim, dark-skinned young girl with the long hair and twinkling eyes.

Even if Hope did not take him seriously at first, Neil persevered and continued to woo the girl in earnest. He asked her out to dinner and took her singing, even if they were always accompanied by her younger sisters as chaperones. Such was his dedication to win over Hope’s loves that it did not take long before the girl finally decided to take him on as her boyfriend and they officially became a couple on April 30.

The Start of Their Love’s Challenges

But, it was also during this time when Hope’s life began to take a turn for the worse. Her father got sick, prompting her mother to go to their province to take care of him. She was left to take care of her younger siblings single-handedly. This was when she saw in Neil the person that she’d come to depend on.

Without any complaint, Neil helped her with everything. He even played the role of financier, father and brother to her younger siblings when she was out working.  This caused tongues to wag and talks about how Hope was just using Neil became commonplace in the place where they were staying at that time.

The young couple did not mind all the vicious bashing though. Instead, they continued on and even promised more strongly to each other that they’d be each other’s protector. They even tried to rent a house where they could stay together along with Hope’s younger siblings. Even if they had 10 mouths to feed then, they did not ever think of giving up and letting go.

In the Midst of Trials, Love Blossomed

In the middle of all the challenges they faced, Hope and Neil never let go of the idea that they have become each other’s world. They saw each other as an inspiration to keep on going despite every hardship they had to face. And, it was in facing these challenges that their love blossomed more and even gave them the first angel that brought mixed feelings of joy and trepidation to their young hearts.

When they learned of Hope’s pregnancy, they were happy because they gladly welcomed the angel that was growing inside her womb. But, at the same time, they were anxious about what the girl’s family would say. She came from a conservative and traditional family that believed in letting the eldest child work for the families. Everybody in Hope’s family was depending on her as the breadwinner.

Although he had fear in his heart, Neil did not let this stop him from fighting for his new family. He worked doubly hard to meet the expectations not just of Hope’s parents, but the rest of her family. Even if there were a number of moves to separate them, they found ways to get back into each other’s arms. They never allowed anyone to break the bond of love that they had forged between them.

Hope and Neil had their first baby on Valentine’s Day of 2011 and their second on the very same day, the next year.

The Plan to Unite Their Hearts Before God

Now, more than three years since that fateful Valentine’s Day, Hope is wishing that she could make Neil’s dreams come true. By joining in the Choi-ciest Proposal competition of Choi City Seafood Restaurant after reading it in this daily, she hopes that she could win and bring joy to the heart of the person who has stood by and loved her despite everything they went through. She said she will be the one to start making his dream of giving his love the kind of wedding that she’ll look back on with a smile.

In the guise of a company party, Hope is planning to bring Neil to Choi City where she will stage her proposal. She said she wishes for the restaurant to be festooned with flowers and balloons while rose petals are to be strewn all over its carpeted floor. This will already be a treat and a surprise for Neil, who has never gone to a classy restaurant before.

But, the biggest surprise for Neil would be the presence of his entire family whom he has not been with for a very long time. Hope said that it has always been his longing to be reunited with his family. She could finally give this to him on the day of her proposal.

With Jason Mraz’s I’m Yours and Taylor Swift’s You Belong with Me playing over the speakers, Hope plans to hand Neil his favorite cupcakes. These will have icing that will spell out, “Will you spend your forever with me?” and this is also when their babies, who will be bringing the ice cream where the engagement ring will be placed, will come out. She’d place the ring on Neil’s and she’d speak her vows to him:

“I will be your forever nanay, friend, lover and teacher.

I will never let anyone treat you like you are nothing.

I will protect you and our Family from all harm.

I will be always loyal to you and will not trade you for anything.

I will always wake you up with bunch of hugs and kisses just like I always do.

I will never get tired of letting you feel my love.

I will always be a good wife to you and a great mother to our kids.

Together, we will make our dreams come true.”

Hope and Neil may have had a tough start to their love story, but as many learned people say, “All of the best love stories have one thing in common. You have to go against all odds to get there.” With the great love they have for each other, these two can beat any challenge that their stars will lay on their path as long as they are together. (FREEMAN)