They say love is a sacrifice.

When you’re in love, you can’t keep count of the many times you bend yourself, forget yourself, put yourself last for the sake of the one you love. You just keep doing it, and love enables you to. But while it fills you to love beyond yourself, there’s no question on who’s the lucky one. By far, it is the one you chose to love that’s blessed beyond words.

Maricel is one of the blessed ones.

She and Yves met in college. Maricel has always noticed this classmate of hers, but didn’t quite make any move since Yves was in a relationship at that time. But twelve years after, graduated and all, Maricel and Yves found a chance to reconnect. With many thanks to Friendster, Yahoo Messenger and priceless phone calls, the two rekindled their friendship even when Maricel was then working overseas. They were two-of-a-kind, always teasing each other and making up, exchanging sweet cards and stuffed toys like they were still college students. The distance was never a hindrance to their kilig moments together. After a while, the two officially became a couple in 2007 and only met again in person when Maricel had her vacation in the Philippines–and that’s already after one year of being together!

Their story seems like a sweet second chance at love, like they already have it all in the bag. In truth, Yves and Maricel’s tale is paved with sacrifice. Maricel was a devout Iglesia ni Cristo follower while Yves was Catholic. Because of this, Maricel could not be engaged to Yves.

“We couldn’t get married unless he converts into our religion,” Maricel explains. For their relationship to work, either one of them would have to make a sacrifice. Good thing love was not a question. Yves loved Maricel so much, he decided to take the jump for it. Her God will be his God.

“Yves decided to convert. But it was a long process. Yves had to complete six whole months of coming to church without missing a day,” she describes, “But he gladly made that sacrifice.”

Today, Yves and Maricel share the joy of serving God together as they build their own family. The sacrifice was truly worth it. “Everything I was looking for in a person, I found in him and more,” Maricel confessed, “He accepted me for who I am, my religion included. He loves everyone that I love. I’d like to do the same for him.”

Love is sacrifice. But on some rare moments, too, love is worth the sacrifice. And this is one. Yves and Maricel show that beautiful things await the brave. He saw a future with her as one worth fighting for, and she is forever blessed.

Thank you for inspiring us with your story, Yves. And Happy birthday! May God bless you both with more love and unwavering courage.

Shooters: Jigs, Arjay, Insel
Editor: Mike
Ceremony: INC, Imus, Cavite
Reception: Lancaster Estates Ballroom Hal