In September 2019, Kaye and Kensho first met during a Japanese class in a small countryside in Kyoto Prefecture. Kaye was a student while Kensho was a volunteer teacher. They had secret crushes on each other right away but would only steal glances and say quick "Konbanwa"s and "Sayonara"s in class. Shy types!

It took a few more months before they first had a real conversation in person, became Facebook friends, and talked through Messenger. Kensho was in Australia when Japan was struck by COVID-19 and Kaye got a new job assignment in a different prefecture. Before moving out, Kensho asked her out for a date at his favorite restaurant surrounded by mountains called Armonia. That first date led to months of Kensho driving for two hours to visit Kaye, talking about books, movies, music, and life over dinner followed by coffee, then driving another two hours back home. It was love in a time of corona. Perseverance was the key, indeed.

After five months, they became an official couple and introduced each other to their families and friends. The following school year, Kaye got a new job and moved back to Kyoto and they started to plan a future together. On Kaye's birthday, Kensho proposed and he got a yes!

In the beginning, Kensho willingly opened his heart to know God. He continued to attend church and got baptized as a Christian. Despite the long-distance, language barrier, and cultural differences, they matched pretty well.

Both waited for an opportunity to make their families meet. Unfortunately, due to the pandemic, many factors affected their plans to travel within two years.

But by God's grace, Kaye and Kensho were back in Armonia last March 26 and got married in a simple and intimate wedding in the presence of a few church friends and live-streamed with their family and friends.

Soon, in Manila, their loved ones will finally meet and celebrate their union together. (: