1 Corinthians 13:4-7 New International Version (NIV)
4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hope, always perseveres.
Liz and Paulie are making music. It is music composed in a universal language, the language of love. They have been at it for 5 years and 6 months, since the first time they met at the Bread of Life's Musikahan Recital in 2009.
Liz recalls, “I took my first voice lessons that summer. He played bass at the last part of the recital, which is sort of like a jam session. That's when I noticed him.”
Both Christians, they took time to get to know each other. Their months-long courtship culminated in an endearing moment of surprise.
“When she said yes after my months of courting her. She invited me for breakfast one Saturday morning. When I arrived at their house, she was wearing a blue shirt that says "Yes!" and she gave me a shirt that says "Will you be my...?" Her mother and nieces were present. I still have that shirt but it won't fit anymore,” Paulie fondly remembers.
Their relationship picked up tempo after that. They discovered each other's blessed company. They would see each other in cafes (now they like hanging out in Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf at Veranza); watch movies in their preferred genres of action, suspense, mystery, and comedy; dine out; drive around town; and of course, listen to music and sing along to popular songs.
For Liz, their most memorable turn was their engagement.
“[It] was such a meaningful experience. It was simple since it happened outside my parents' house where I currently live, but it was one of the most genuine and heartfelt moments we had,” says Liz.
Such simplicity of a landmark moment can only come from a distilled togetherness, the complexities of a relationship ran through the tempering faculties of time and circumstances. If it weren't for cacophony, of the occasional noise, music can never be fully appreciated.
Paulie reflects that their love has endured because of forgiveness. “When we learned the importance of accepting that we are different and sometimes, those differences led to fights. When we realized this, it then became easier to forgive the mistakes," he says.
Liz, on the other hand, credits having healthy communication habits and spirituality, keys to their strengthened partnership. “We make sure that we speak to each other in our love languages. We also communicate about issues, and we don't dodge the idea of discussing them. The Lord has also helped us become more patient towards each other, as we realize that we have more differences than we thought we had during our first years,” she says.
These differences are barely noticeable in our pre-wedding photo sessions with Paulie and Liz. Both agreed to do cheesy poses while dressed in Filipiniana at our first location in Sarangani High, and both showed their penchant for music in our Ngilay set while wearing more comfortable denim. The music set is perhaps the one, where both were at their most comfortable. Even in this arranged set, the most natural gestures come through. In one photo where they are surrounded by guitars, Liz smiles as she rests her head on Paulie's shoulder. Paulie smiles tenderly as he looks at Liz. They hold hands. Love, indeed.
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