💖 How John &Janella Met

Before they ever knew each other, John and Janella were living very different lives, oceans apart. John was visiting the Philippines for a vacation with his cousin, soaking up the warm sun and reconnecting with family. Janella, meanwhile, was busy with college life, unaware that her world was about to quietly and beautifully shift.

It was the summer of 2017 when their paths crossed, during a family gathering at Janella’s grandmother’s house. John had come simply to enjoy the reunion. Janella had come to see her cousin visiting from the U.S. What neither of them expected was that this day would mark the beginning of something lasting.

As Janella walked through the gate, John saw her for the first time — and something stopped him. She was beautiful, he thought. There was something about her presence that stood out instantly. Janella, on the other hand, noticed John laughing and drinking with her uncle and dad. She couldn’t help but notice his red, chubby cheeks — a clear sign of someone enjoying himself a little too much. Her first thought? “He’s definitely got the Asian glow.”

Then came a simple gesture that changed everything. John offered to help Janella wash the dishes — in front of her dad and uncle, no less. What she didn’t know was that he was already trying to impress her. It was sweet, unexpected, and brave — and it worked. That moment sparked a connection that began to slowly grow. They started talking, laughing, and spending time together. What started as a friendly bond quietly became something deeper.

Even when John returned to the U.S., the two kept in touch, exchanging messages and holding on to their growing connection. Then in 2018, John returned to the Philippines — not just for a visit, but to attend Janella’s college graduation. It was there, on a dinner date at a restaurant called Si Cristina, followed by a movie, that everything truly changed.

For Janella, it meant so much that John would make the effort to celebrate her milestone. For John, that night was unforgettable. It was the moment he knew: this wasn’t just something sweet — it was something real. Something he would carry with him always.

And even now, when they look back, that first meeting means everything.

For Janella, seeing John again wasn’t just a reunion — it was a feeling of wholeness. Despite all the distance and time apart, their love had never faded. That day reminded them of everything they had built together: the patience, the laughter, the longing, and the deep, unwavering connection that no distance could ever break.

It was proof that love — real love — doesn't just survive across oceans.

It grows.