12 years ago this month, Jessica said YES, OO, WEN, SIYEMPRE! 🤣🙏 Here's the story for those that don't know: I had been visiting Jess in the Philippines for 3 weeks. I could NOT find the perfect place to propose 😅 I wanted it to be special, but there were always too many people around us. I carried the ring in my pocket everywhere we went! We looked over the mountains at Mine's View in Baguio, we paddle boated our way through Burnham Park, went island hopping at 100 Islands and even made a 12 hour bus ride (no aircon) to Isabela. The ring stayed in my pocket (and even bounced out while we sat on the 4th floor balcony at SM Baguio ☠️), but I STILL didn't pop the question. In 2 days, I'd be going back to the US and I started to really worry. Jess had lost all hope that I was going to propose since I had missed so many opportunities 🫠 My last day in Pangasinan, I woke up knowing that today had to be the day! We had no plans, so I asked Jess if she'd walk to the very back of their property with me. Way back through the forest of bamboo and brush, there was a beautiful rice field with grazing kalabaw and a huge mango tree. I had freshened up with my best shirt and shoes and hinted for Jess to change into something nice. Since we'd be walking through the forest, she put on her house slippers and comfy clothes (pangbahay) and off we went 🤣 As we walked hand in hand, she had to have noticed how sweaty and nervous I was getting. We talked about how I'd be going home soon and how much we'd miss each other. 3 weeks felt like a blink of an eye and we both got quiet. We ended up sitting down in the grass under the mango tree in complete silence as she leaned on my shoulder. I wiggled the ring out of my left pocket and started to tell her how wonderful she is and how much I enjoyed our time together. I told her how special she made me feel and how I can't imagine not being with her again. Finally, after 20 days of looking for the perfect spot and perfect time, I asked her to marry to me. Our only witness was the lone kalabaw in the field, but she wrapped her arms around my neck and said "yes, siyempre!" It was not the 'bongga' proposal that I had imagined, but it was indeed perfect. The next day, we were off to Manila and after a terribly tearful goodbye, our 9 month LDR officially started. 12 years seems like so long ago, but also seems like just yesterday. I certainly could not have chosen a better partner ❤️ Inaayat ka launay, baket!