Andy:

To ask how we met, the answer would be fate.  We met while we were on opposite sides of the world.  We met originally through the ever popular internet.  My love responded to an ad that I had posted.  I had put ads on a couple of sites, purely thinking that I would not meet the person I would marry.  I thought I would make some friends, and maybe go on a date or two.  So she responded to my ad, and I wrote her back.  That was how it all stared.  With the distance, I was very timid in trying to get serious, because the chances of it being able to develop into anything more was going to be difficult. 
 
We started just by sending messages back and forth, realizing that we had a lot in common.  We viewed marriage the same, have same goals in life, common interests to name a few.  It got to the point hat I was anticipating her messages, and was disappointed if I did not have any from her.  This became difficult, because I knew that I wanted to take the next step, and in our situation that was going to be marriage, as we could not have the normal courtship.
So I proposed that we get married around the beginning of May.  I did this knowing that I would probably would get a no at first.  But at the same time, I wanted my love to know how I felt, and where I saw our relationship going.  I wanted to at least start talking about marriage more seriously.  To say that I was not disappointed when I received the no, would be wrong.  But I still felt right in doing so.  We did start talking more seriously about it.  And on June 6th, she accepted my marriage proposal.  This came out of the blue, just as my proposal about a month earlier was a shock to her.

The question from there is would this work out.  The answer is a resounding YES. Our love for each other will conquer all.  This is our story, and we are sticking to it.

Jona:

I have fallen in and out of love a few times but still very eager to meet the person who is meant for me because I know that there is really someone who can love me in return and accept me for being who I am now and before. I know that i'll meet him but I don't know when and how. Then, I decided to sign up a website, justsayhi.com while I was at work. I didn't took it seriously though because I know only the lucky ones can meet the man of their dreams over the net and I believe that I am a jinx for myself. I put there my picture and described who I wanted to meet, also posted there that I am a single mother so that if there would be someone who'll find me interesting would know that because I am also proud of it.

I've met few man, though but nothing worked out for me. Until I have read this one profile that is saying that he is a family person and visits his parents once a week and have his sister lives with him, so it was a nice personality for me though. He also says that he doesn't go to bars and doesn't smoke, in short, he doesn't have bad vices in life which is another good thing. Without looking anywhere in his profile (which I didn't realized that he doesn't have a picture), I send him a message telling him that i find him interesting by what he has in his profile. Then, he replied. Since then, we started exchanging long emails about what we do, how's life been around each other. He is from Texas and I am from the Philippines. So, you can imagine the distance between us. But everything worked out well.

We started chatting around February of 2007 and with just a few weeks of exchanging emails, we already knew that we have a very strong connection. We have lots in common like we both like to travel and have our own restaurant. we liked each other so much and that is when our romance started to bloom.

We didn't went through the usual way of dating and we made our best to be engaged in normal way though it started as not the usual way too.

After a few months of exchanging very long emails, once a week the least, Andy proposed to me saying that he wanted to be with me for the rest of his life and be a father of my son before Abi starts looking for a father It touched me because it was the first time ever since I had my son to hear that someone wants to be a part of his as his father. Honestly, one of the reasons why I am still looking for love despite of the dreadful relationships I had in the past, which included my relationship with my son's biological father, is  for my son to grow up as a normal child who has a family that is to be proud of and brag to his friends. Considering that he's a boy, I know that he needs to have a father figure to teach and let him understand the things that only a guy can tell him. I know it was hard to look for one, but I always takes chances because I truly believe that you wouldn't know what would happen until you tried it.

Back to Andy's proposal (I'm sorry I really forgot the date). Though I trust him when he said that he wants to marry me through his usual long email to me, but I am still uncertain about accepting it due to the fact that I was not hurt only once or twice because I keep loving the wrong prince who in the long run always turns to be a frog, but lots of times and I wanted to give my son the best father that he deserves to have. I wanted to make sure that if I'll be on another relationship again, it should be more than forever. During the time that he proposed, I still doesn't have an idea what he looks like. Though he describes himself physically already but I know it would be different if my own eyes would see his description. Don't get me wrong. I don't go for looks because, trust me, usually it doesn't do anything good to anyone and yes looks are deceiving. But again, we are talking about lifetime commitment here. Who would be someone crazy enough decides to marry someone she hasn't even saw? I'm just being realistic here.

He understands what I mean and so, he made an effort to send me pictures. Eventhough he's not that good in using a computer but he end up sending me some pictures on my email by the help of his ever supportive sister, Yvonne.

In JUNE 6, 2007, finally, I decided to marry him and was hoping that it was not too late and told him that I accepted his proposal of marriage. I was really thrilled that time. While typing the things I told him when I accepted the proposal, I imagined myself being Mrs. Jonaver Kuhn. Does it sound perfect? But yes, I was very sure about it when I told him that I wanted to marry him. By the way, by that time, we already been exchanging emails everyday because we realized how much we're missing each other. Though we just communicate with emails by that time.

We were both very excited and on the following day, we were already planning for our wedding which was originally set January 2, 2008 as the date because it is also the 50th birthday of my Mom. And after a few days he started talking on the phone. It was more different to hear his voice and eversince the first time he called, I wish that he'd always call for me to hear his voice again and I knew that he felt the same.

Then, in the middle of planning and checking on the processing for my Visa for me to be able to join him in the US with my son too, we found out that since we'll be married in the Philippines, I need to apply for a Spouse Visa. To apply for it, he needs to file a petition for me after the wedding which means that he should go back to the US after the wedding to file the petition but I can't fly with him yet since I need to have a Visa. We know that it would be very hard, so we decided to have the other option which is to apply for Fiancee Visa and have the wedding in the US so that we won't have to be separated again after the wedding which should make life easier for us once we're married because we'll be in each other's arms after the most important day of our life.

Because of the change in plan, we set another date for the wedding which would be February 29, 2008 because it is kinda unique since that date would come every 4 years, which is the leap year. We also consider the fact that he would be baptized on the INC church on the end of January because I am a member of the Church and we believe that we shouldn't marry someone who doesn't have the same beliefs as ours.

We then decided to meet in person before we start to apply for the Visa to prove that what we felt for each other is more than the love we have on the Internet.

It was September 12, 2007 when he arrived in Cagayan de Oro City. Of course, who would ever forget our first kiss which took place in the airport right after we were beside of each other. It was so quick, I couldn't even remember the feeling, because the Taxi driver immediately took his luggage which distracted his excitement to kiss me because he was worried someone would snatch his things.

When we arrive at the house, he then suddenly grab something from his bag which is a purple rose. It was not real though but I love it because it was the first flower that he gave me and the color is my favorite.

The very next day, we went to Davao because my relatives and close friends live there. We checked in in our hotel and ate late lunch at the Mall just in front of the hotel where we're staying at. Right after we ate, we went to find an engagement ring for me. We end up in a made-to-order ring which I get the chance to choose my own design. It is a semi-spiral 14-carat gold ring with a diamond in the center. But since they still need to make it, we need to wait for an hour for it. While waiting, we had our first date at Merco Claveria branch. I ate ice cream while he only had water since he can't eat sweets because of his diabetes and we just ate our lunch so we're still full.

Then we went back to the hotel and we already have the ring that time yet he doesn't want me to have it. While dressing up for the church service, he suddenly knelt down in front of me, showed me the ring then ask the common yet special question "Will you marry me?". To his surprise, I said no, then he immediately stood up and was about to leave but I managed to pull him and plead to ask me the same question again and he did, this time I said YES. Why not?!

So, that's the story of our engagement.

Date: July 20, 2008

Time: 3:00 PM

Location:  Iglesia Ni Cristo

9205 North St., Austin, TX

Reception: Round Rock Masonic Lodge

111 Masonic Way, Round Rock, TX

*** 

Red (love) & Gold (Royalty) - wedding motif 

David's Bridal - Bridal Gown

JC Penney & Kohls - Groom Attire

Home Made by Mom Linda & Yvonne - Bridal and Groom's Cake

Dad Robert - Foods 

Uni Silver in Mall of Asia, Manila - Wedding Rings

Sister Imee & Sister Elma - Church Decorations 

Hobby Lobby - other wedding accessories 

***

Officiating Minister: Brother Dennis Lovendino

Primary Sponsors:

Mr. & Mrs. Bon Geguerra

Mr. & Mrs. Flor Corpus

Mr. & Mrs. Rom Talioga

Mr. & Mrs. Robert Zajac

Maid of Honor: Yvonne Kuhn

Best Man: Tyson Hollyfield

Bridesmaids: Melissa Kuhn & Faith Laciste

Groom's Men: Kevin Kuhn & Clay Ericson

Flower Girls: Bianca Geguerra &  Brazos Vick

Ring Bearers: Kevin Kuhn Jr. & Dion Bernard Obon