We all dream of finding true love, one that can stand the test of time. An overseas Filipino worker (OFW) couple in the UAE, who were once separated by their individual pursuits, has found their way back into love.
Abegail “Abby” Crisostomo, 25, and husband Kevin Crisostomo’s, 24, met in high school.
“Since first year high school, magkasama na kami ng asawa ko. First crush namin ang isa’t isa pero di naging kami dahil bata pa,” Abby said.
It wasn’t until college, though, when they decided to take their relationship to the next level.
However, their relationship was immediately put to the test. Kevin had to transfer to another school.
“Kinailangan niya mag-transfer ng school sa Bataan at kumuha ng maritime course. Long distance relationship na kami simula noon. From Manila to Bataan,” she recalled.
They were able to make their long distance relationship work and keep a strong connection throughout college. However, things got more complicated soon after Abby finished college and went to work in Dubai in 2014. Kevin was left in the Philippines to finish his studies.
“After a year, kinuha na ako ng papa ko sa Dubai. Si Kevin naman ay naiwan sa Pilipinas kasi nag-aaral pa rin siya para maging Marine Engineer that time,” she narrated.
“Yung long distance relationship namin na dating from Manila to Bataan lang, naging Philippines to UAE na. Mahirap. Sobrang hirap malayo sa taong mahal na mahal mo pero kailangan para sa mga pangarap namin,” she added.
The distance between them took its toll in their relationship when Abby realized that a long distance relationship was too much for her.
“Nag-decide akong makipag-break. Naghiwalay kami nung time na malapit na ang graduation nila. Ilang months kaming walang communication. Narinig ko may bago na siyang girlfriend at saka nakapasa na rin siya sa board exam. Ako naman, nanatiling single at piniling mag-focus na lang sa work ko,” Abby said.
As the old adage goes, destiny is not a matter of chance but a matter of choice.
Realizing that Abby was his one true love, Kevin flew all the way to Dubai to surprise her, six months after they broke up.
“Sumunod siya sa Dubai para makipagbalikan at ayusin ang aming relasyon,” she added.
They rekindled their love for each other and became more determined to make their relationship work.
“Naging maayos muli ang aming long distance relationship,” she said.
After six years of enduring a long-distance relationship, the two tied the knot in the Philippines in 2016.
However, while most couples decide to go on vacation for their honeymoon, Abby and Kevin had to part ways again barely two days after their wedding.
“Bumalik ako sa Dubai two days after the wedding. Yung asawa ko naman, nagsimula na sumakay ng barko. Kahit bagong kasal kami noon, naghintay kami ng isang buong taon para magkasama ulit,” she said.
The future looked bright for the married couple. However, they were faced with another challenge. Will they be able to pass this hurdle?
High school sweethearts Abby and Kevin beat the odds and survived a long distance relationship. In 2016, they said their wedding vows and flew to the UAE together. Fortunately, Kevin was able to find work immediately as an engineer.
“Malaki ang pasasalamat namin sa Diyos na nakakita siya agad ng maayos na trabaho sa isang oil and gas company sa Abu Dhabi. Isa na siyang engineer doon ngayon.
“Kaso, ako naman nandito pa rin sa Dubai working as a receptionist. So kahit magkasama na kami dito sa UAE, kailangan pa rin namin mag-settle sa long distance relationship. From Dubai to Abu Dhabi,” she said.
Due to their work demands, Abby and Kevin had to sacrifice certain things, like not spending special occasions together.
“For more than 8 years na kami, ever since boyfriend and girlfriend pa lang kami, ganyan na katagal ang long distance relationship namin.Hindi kami laging magkasama sa bawat okasyon. Ilang anniversaries, birthdays, and Christmas na wala sa piling ng isa’t isa,” Abby explained.
“Kahit nasa Abu Dhabi lang ang asawa ko, minsan kasi pinapadala pa rin sya sa ibang bansa tulad ng Oman kaya may mga times na naiiwan ako sa Dubai,” she added.
Despite the struggles they faced as a couple, Abby and Kevin still chose to remain optimistic and trust in their love for each other.
“Kahit gaano katagal kami nagkalayo, sa bawat pagkikita namin muli ay laging andun ‘yung saya at pananabik namin sa isa’t isa. Totoo yung kasabihan na ‘absence makes the heart grow fonder’,” she said.
Abby shared what she has learned through it all.
“Kung mahal talaga natin ang isang tao, hindi dahilan na malayo sila para magloko sa isang relasyon. Sa walong taon na lagi kami magkalayo ng aking asawa, mas minamahal namin ang isa’t isa. At mas tumitibay pa ang aming marriage dahil sa tulong ng Maykapal. Masaya na kami ngayon and healthy ang aming relationship kahit long distance pa ito. Contented and grateful kami sa lahat ng blessings ni God,” she said.
This week, Abby and Kevin are bound to open yet another chapter in their married life.
“And this week, inaasahan namin lumabas ang aming first baby girl!”
