About Us... Our Story
Mike's Version...
Music: Friend of Mine
Mercy & I knew that we were destined to meet each other.
These pictures were the first pictures we had exchanged.
From the very beginning...
As vast and as dangerous as the internet is, it's truly a miracle that we found each other. The internet just so happened to be the initial vehicle that was used for us to meet after many fervent prayers... and on July 10, 1999, our prayers had been answered. It was on that beautiful summer
Jefferson's Memorial
Washington DC
Saturday morning that Mercy and I had met for the first time after a week of correspondence via email... and what struck us about each other is the fact the we both mentioned God in our e-mails.
Great Falls
Virginia
After Mercy told me in her e-mail that she had plans for visiting Virginia
we had made arrangements to meet at Mercy's friend Menchie and Jim's place at 9 AM . As Mercy's close friend, Menchie showed concern for Mercy going out with "some guy" she met on the "net". Menchie had reservations about Mercy's date -ME- and rightfully so, but Mercy had a sense of trust about me, and I too felt at ease with Mercy. Even though it was our "First Date", we felt sense of comfort about each other through our prior week of e-mails .
We then proceed to have breakfast at IHOP -nothing fancy, that showed how simple we were towards each other. We then drove around a little bit and shared some of our stories. While we were driving, I began playing my favorite ballad tape, and it was playing one of my favorite instrumental ballad songs. When Mercy heard it she said "Oh! that's 'You are everything' by The Stylistics, my fave song." I said "Yes, that's 'You are everything' but it is by David Sanborn, and it';s my fave song". I had never heard of the Stylistic version so all I knew was this nice ballad song that had no lyrics, until Mercy started singing the original lyrics. We then looked at each other with a glimmer of joy in our eyes, and from that point on we knew that
" You are Everything" (click to view our song) was "Our Song" and will always be.
We felt it so much that the next few weeks after our first meeting, that our song and our growing relationship had inspired us to write our own lyrics. We even incorporated tagalog (Philippine National Language) words into the last stanza. It is our commitment which has brought Mercy & I together, in spite of the many miles that had seperated us. Through love, support and prayers, we've been so very blessed with a solid foundation upon which any life-long relationship should be built. Mercy & I had been through many of life's challenges before we had met. We didn't know each other back then but we both knew that there was an answer to our prayers... and in some way, shape or form, all of you have played an integral part in our lives by helping us to make us who we are and eventually bringing Mercy & I together, and we thank you all for being there for us, but most of all, we thank GOD! For those of you who are still seeking, but not finding, seek no more - GOD is the answer!
Mercy's Version...
I do believe that God has plans for everyone of us. How did our story start? It was written in the Book of Life ever since. Like what Mike had said, we met for the first time during that beautiful summer of 1999. We were so happy to learn that God and His Music brought us together. We have the same passion - music, sounds corny but I'll take it... Mike is the only friend who sings the same music with me. I felt so good and we always talked about God as being at the center of our lives. After our first meeting on Saturday morning, we planned to see each other again the following morning before going to the airport. We didn't have plans to meet that night because Mike was playing in his band for a wedding and I too had plans for the evening. Guess what?! I dragged my friend Menchie to crash the wedding party where Mike is playing. I cancelled the plans I have for that night, since Mike left me with an invitation, and to call him when there's any changes with the plans. Things just happened so right -- we both believed that it was pre-planned by God. We came late, but through Menchie's friend (caught by surprise) we were able to enter the party without Mike. We were still able to eat dinner together though he was on stage most of the time. When I told Mike that we were leaving before the party was over, he told me that "you mean to say, I won't be able to give you a ride to Menchie's home?", after I heard those words, the more I realized that he is the right one for me.
Sunday around 11 AM, we left Menchie's house for the Washington Harbor, where we strolled around and had ice cream at TCBY.
We talked about our past relationships and how they affected us, we both knew that God had better plans for us. We threw some coins in a fountain (see the picture on the left) and we each made our own wish. (If you want to know our wishes, you are witnessing it right now! Keep on reading!) After that, we stopped by Mike's parents' house - they are really nice. We all sat down, talked and shared some pictures of the family. They invited me to stay longer for BBQ and offered me to stay there for my next visit. Before we left their house, Mike played the piano and I sang ("You Are Everything").
Washington Harbor
On our way to Dulles Airport,
We had a good time sharing our music CD's in the car and singing together. We met my friend Verna and her husband Eric at the airport. I wasn't dressed yet in first-class dress code, so I asked Mike to stand in line for us to check-in Verna's bag. While we were walking to the gate, I told him I want some french fries and he said 'we can get some", and I told him "deal", if we happened to pass by McDonald's or Burger King, "we'll get some but if not, never mind, that's ok." That's how we wanted things to happen, we left it with GOD's plans.
Mike kissed me goodbye on my cheek, twice... he asked me if I can still get his page even in the air, I told him I'll give him a page when I get home. Boarding time! Mike and Eric walked Verna & I to the boarding area. I walked to the jet way and looked back and saw Mike was still there.. and our eyes met for the last time that day. When I came home, I received an email from Mike, I paged him and he called me back. We talked about his future visit
to California. We were both excited and thanked God for the plans. Mike and I didn't plan for our next meeting, and the plans just fell into place. BTW, Mike's airline ticket was via the courtesy of his brother Graesson. That was really quick, good news. Since then our friendship has blossomed and God has showered it with LOVE that is so STRONG and BLESSINGS that are PERFECT and are always In HIS Time..
Golden Gate
San Francisco, CA
Mike said... (Cut from Mike's Email)
"This weekend was the most treasured & inspiring one that I have ever had, thanks for your presence in my life. I truly had a wonderful time being with you and just sharing small but oh so important parts of our lives together. I really appreciate you as a most dearest friend Mercy and thank you for being there for me physically (long distance travel-wise), and over all, as a true friend. Putting GOD first has really changed my whole life... and I am so glad that HE has included YOU in HIS plans for me. I do hope that our friendship grows and blossoms, always following what HE has planned for us.
Forever Friends,
Mike
P.S. Here is the inspirational quote that I told you about while we were at Washington Harbor today:"
"When we are hurt, there is no sweeter revenge than to FORGIVE".
and I replied....
"I felt the same way Mike, this week was very inspiring and will be cherished... we had short but quality time together. I thank God too for having you come in my life... One thing we forgot to do is we should have prayed and thank Him together. I will constantly pray for our friendship and I truly believe that it is His will and Miracle... All these things are God's given, we have to be thankful and take good care of the gift and make it many...
Friends forever,
Mercy
We have to be thankful to God for using us as HIS instruments..."
AND AFTER THESE EMAILs, this marked the BEGINNING OF A VERY WONDERFUL RELATIONSHIP.