The Happiest Hobbits
He says
We became inseparable
Since that fateful evening, hardly a day would pass without seeing each other. On weekdays, it became our routine to go to church four times a week, then to the park for long walks in the hopes to slim down...
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Then one day, while she was out watching football with a friend. I bet against the team she was rooting for. In the end, her team won, and I owed her dinner.
The next evening, we were at Pita's near BurJuman in Dubai, sharing a hearty meal of sinigang na bulalo [tamarind soup with beef shanks and bone marrow] and lumpiang togue [spring rolls filled with bean sprouts]. That was our first date!
The bigger milestones happened over the weekends, though – meeting her hard-to-please little sister (am still the first and only man to win Naina's approval); getting to know her family over weekends spent at her childhood home; introducing her to my dearest friends... The list went on as the courtship went on.
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By New Year 2015 we were standing by the Dubai Fountains, under the shadow of the Burj Khalifa, professing our love for each other. That was her first 'Yes' and the beginning of The Happiest Hobbits.
She says
He was hungry. I had biryani [seasoned rice with meat and spices] in the fridge – part of my weekly ration from mum – and didn't mind sharing, so I didn't think much of it when kuya [big brother] invited himself over for dinner. Also, part of me thought he was kidding.
Imagine my surprise when he turned up after all. Then another bigger surprise when we noticed the biryani was soggy and sour-smelling. It didn't survive my two-hour bus ride from Fujairah!
Thankfully, Mommy Dearest packed me some adobong atay ng manok [chicken liver stew] too, so we had that with boiled white rice instead. He didn't say a word about his chicken allergy, and we were too busy talking about everything else to bother with something comparatively trivial.
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Amid our animated chatter, unbeknowst to each other, we were both secretly marvelling at how brilliantly and instantly we "just clicked". It felt like we were old friends just catching up on each other's lives.
We almost got food-poisoned
Photo credits to RS Sabido
Kulitan while waiting for the metro
...missing the Garcias and Sermanas!
First time meeting all her sisters
Conquering fears together
...missing Niño and Joyjoy!
He made me laugh
She says
"Hi her ones"!?! Growrr. I hate auto-correct.
"*herconel" I quickly tapped away to redeem myself - an editor by profession, I'm understandably allergic to typos.
He found it funny, thankfully, and even complimented my latest Facebook post. I'm bad with names and faces so, before replying, I glanced at his profile. Hunky male actor JC de Vera was his profile photo, but his cover photo showed his mum and sisters, and we had a lot of SFC friends in common. Seeing these, I assumed he was one of the ladies in his cover photo - i.e. a girl in SFC with a big crush on JC!
So I replied, "Thank you, sis! Praise God!"
"Waaaah!!!! Sis??? I'm a bro!"
And that was the first of many laughs we've shared since.
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He says
We met - twice!
I saw you that day. Everyone did. You were hosting Singles for Christ (SFC) UAE's National Conference in ADNEC, Abu Dhabi. And, in my opinion, the best dancer onstage!
You, all cute and witty, made us all smile. And we all smiled again after the event, this time together for a picture, when you came across our group in the food court at Ibn Battuta Mall.
Two years later, it's food and picture-taking again. Another setting and SFC activity. And you.
We were in Dibba, Fujairah - your hometown. I was among the speakers at your weekend retreat. You sat up front and fell asleep. Until a loud snore woke you. Then you gasped loudly, realising it was your snore, and everyone heard!
I smiled, another unforgettable moment about you added to my head. But as the day progressed, I realised you didn't remember me at all.
But thankfully, that second encounter was enough for you to approve my Facebook friend request. And after weeks of talking to a common friend about you (SINGLE!!!!!!) and summoning enough courage, I typed out "Hi ronjoy" and prepared to be seenzoned.
"Hi her ones," came the reply. This time I laughed.
Herconel
The Groom
Born and raised in Iligan, Philippines. After a short stint in Cebu, he came to Dubai in 2010 on the beckoning of the big brother who is now his Best Man. The same big brother encouraged Nel to join Singles for Christ (SFC). That set the stage for our two hobbits to meet, two years later.
Ronjoy
The Bride
Born and raised in a dusty little village on the edges of the UAE. There she joined SFC in 2009. That same year she moved to Dubai, aiming for Emirates. Ronnie landed her dream job shortly before meeting Nel for the first time. And her Maid of Honour paved the way for them to meet again.
Once upon a time, there were two hobbits...
Our story
