I first met Giselle in August of 2016 at St. Barnabas, our home parish. A month before we met, she and my lil’ brother Joseph attended World Youth Day in Poland along with several other young adults. My family, especially my mom and brother, had been teasing and bugging me about meeting Giselle. Intrigued by their persistence and out of obedience (of course), I finally gave in. Our first meeting was pretty casual, but the second time I saw her... that's when I was blown away! While I was praying in the Church and preparing for Sunday Mass, I somehow, for some reason, glanced to my right side and I saw this beautiful, radiant woman wearing a veil. She was praying. She caught my attention right at that instant, and I thought, “Who wears veils nowadays.. let alone a white veil, matching with white chucks (Converse)? WOW, that's pretty hot!” I didn't realize I was gazing at her for a good minute. When I looked at my brother who noticed that I was looking at Giselle, he nodded and said “Yup! Kuya, I’ve been telling you, that’s Ate Gi!”. During and after Mass, I couldn’t stop glancing at her. And little did I know, this was just God’s preview for what was to come.
Soon after, Giselle joined our youth ministry group and got super close with my family along the way. We served together, attended Church gatherings, retreats and attended Mass a lot. She would often visit our home for Sunday lunch. As our friendship developed through Church service and family, my interest in her started growing even deeper. It lead me to reflect on the relationships I’ve built in the past; the relationships I’ve had and how different they were from my relationship with Giselle. At that point, I realized I needed healing.
In December 2016, I decided to step back from service and just participate in our Advent retreat. The theme was centered on the Gospel of Matthew 9:21 “If I only touch His cloak, I will be made well.” During Adoration, we had an opportunity to go in front of Jesus to touch His cloak. I was going through a tough time. I was very confused and burdened, so I was asking God and seeking for His presence, healing, peace and purpose. When it was my turn to kneel in front of the Blessed Sacrament and touch His cloak, I felt a sudden rush of warmth through my body and I heard Jesus speak to me “Take Her”, while Giselle was behind praying over us, as a server. I put my face on the ground and replied, “How, Lord?” Knowing fully that I wasn't ready. I felt fear initially. I guess I didn't really know what I was asking for until I got it. Then I realized yes I can't but He can; and nothing is impossible with Him, and so I said, “Give me grace Lord Jesus, Let Your will be done.” I left the retreat filled with God's peace and assurance. I can never forget that night God spoke to me in His still small voice "Take her" - so simple and yet it gave me a direction, a purpose/vocation, and assurance that He will accomplish His Words, His will for me.
This is the most tricky part of our story. Imagine, how do I tell Giselle that God told me to take her? That’s a bit creepy right? But I told her anyways! Hah! And guess what happened? She said “Nope!” And not once, but twice! It took a while to understand what God meant and what it would take for me to actually “Take Her”.
This time was full of defining moments for both of us. She felt a strong calling to enter into religious life. I on the other hand realized that in order to “Take Her”, I would need to work towards becoming a real man, not a man of this world, but a man of God. For both of us, it took a lot of seeking God, having alone time with Him, reordering everything according to Him, and detachment from everything else other than Him in order to prepare ourselves for His call. She went away to attend couple of Come and See retreats and mission trips. I stayed and became more active in Church, while pursuing my other passion, music. During this time our friendship became really awkward.
After about 8 months of discernment and almost no speaking, we found ourselves back where it all started: St. Barnabas Church. On March 2018, our young adults ministry were assigned to lead the Stations of the Cross for Lent. When the organizer asked me to join, I naively picked the last station. So, I went to Church not knowing that Giselle was back and that she’s back to the ministry. And that night we were paired up! From then on, we ended up serving together everyday for the whole Holy Week, reestablished our friendship and got really close. My whole family told me this is it, and around this time they weren’t really being subtle anymore about wanting me and Giselle to be together. This definitely rekindled my feelings towards her and again made me remember what God told me 2 years prior.
What really struck me was that this time around, Giselle was considering being open to be in a relationship. God impressed to her during discernment that she was being called to family life. So I made my move, but first I told God that if His Words to me are true and if He meant it for me and Giselle, then this would be the time to affirm it. And God came clutch! He affirmed it! Me and Giselle had a serious talk, she asked me what my intentions were towards her, I told her my intentions, my feelings, that I wanted to court and pursue her, based on true and Godly friendship. I told her that dating wise, I’ve been looking for a privilege to make things right God’s way and that she’s really the only one suitable partner to do it with. She eventually agreed to courtship.
We officially started dating on May 13, 2018. Since the day me and Giselle met up to this point, I have never been more convinced about how perfect God’s plan and timing really is. A year later, after praying Our Lady of Fatima novena at St. Barnabas Church, in front of the Tabernacle, I got down on one knee and popped the question. Giselle told me I got down on the wrong knee so I had to do it again LOL. When I got down on the ‘right’ knee, she finally said yes! LOL
Now, our journey continues towards becoming one with our Lord and we are very excited for our lives to finally become one! We are truly affirmed that God has brought us together by His gracious providence, for His purposes. And we cannot wait to serve that purpose, to be a great sign of God’s love, to celebrate the Sacrament of Matrimony with our loved ones!
Covid Pandemic devastated our planned wedding, but it never devastated God's purpose for me to "take her", for us to become one and to live as one with Him.
On May 15, 2020 by God's mercy and providence, Me and Giselle were able to celebrate the beautiful Sacrament of Matrimony. Although it wasn't what we envisioned, we realized now that it was better than what we hoped for. Due to Covid pandemic restrictions, only one parent from each side was allowed to witness the wedding. It may have seemed unfortunate and a bit frustrating at that time, but we were still excited and joyful to be married. The pews may have been empty but we were assured of a crowd of heavenly witnesses of God's plan being accomplished and we were very grateful for all who witnessed our wedding online. We're very entertained with all the reactions and interactions in the live chat! We were also surprised by our many friends who celebrated with us at St. Barnabas parking lot! And we're so grateful for all our friends and sponsors who went out of their way to support us. The day really turned out to be so blessed!
A couple of months later, on the week of Father's day, we found out that our marriage bore fruit! On January 17, 2021 our beautiful daughter Therese Joan Fabie was born. This is another day that I will never forget because she is God's birthday gift to me, being born on my actual birthday! Although she was 6 weeks premature, she already established a reputation in the NICU as a "feisty baby". Again due to Covid restrictions, only one parent was allowed to visit and take care of baby, but that didn't stop her from developing quickly. Her development was so quick that she only had to stay in the NICU for 20 days!
Around March 2021, we started looking for our own place as a family. Though we are very grateful to our supportive and extremely hospitable parents, we are also aware that eventually we would have to find our own place (Gen 2:24). But Covid pandemic increased the demand for properties. At one point, it became discouraging thinking we cannot afford to buy a house that we want. But God came through to bless us as He always do! Within two months of looking for houses and getting into bidding wars, we finally got a place! And talking about God's perfect timing, we moved to our first home on May 15, 2021, our wedding anniversary!
Truly, no pandemic, no setbacks and no lockdowns can stop God's purpose and plan for us. Just hang tight in prayer! All Glory to Him!