It’s official, Louie and I are ENGAGED! π We are extremely joyful and ready for this next adventure in our relationship. We appreciateΒ all the nice greetings, comments and support from our friends and families. Many people have asked me how he proposed.Β After repeating itΒ about ten times now, I got pretty good at telling it:
How He Asked
We usually see each otherΒ every Sunday afternoon. Last Sunday was no different, except that itΒ wasΒ Valentine’s Day, and so I expected our dinner date toΒ be extraΒ special.
At 3:00PM, he fetched me from Mandarin Sky in Banawe, where my cousin celebrated his birthday. Then, we drove to his house where he said we would stay while waiting for his reservation at the restaurant at 8:00PM.
Since I had a bad cough the previous week and preferred toΒ rest at home, topics and stories to share have piled up. We talked for two hours butΒ it felt like 20 minutes.
Video (Part 1)
Suddenly, he had me watch a video he made. It was a short video showing a day in his lifeβwhat he does from the time he wakes up in the morning, yada yada yada. Before it played, he excused himselfΒ out of the room because “he had to get something from their main house.”
I watched the video alone and thought it clearly showed his personality and his sense of humor. It was enjoyableΒ and worth critiquing.Β Knowing him, I was positiveΒ he would ask me for a technical review sinceΒ he had been spending some time learning how to create video content that will engage viewers in various subjects. π
The storyline was well established early on. The tone of narration, music and sounds, ambient transition effects, and acting of the characters (Louie as himself and the animated Dodsy, my doll) were great.Β I was completely unaware that it was a video cuing for something else.
The video ended with a black screen andΒ “EATING TIME” as the only caption. I guessed it was time for us to head out to the restaurant for dinner. From behind the door, Louie emerged, covered my eyes, and walked me to their living room that was transformedΒ from simple to va-va-voom romantic!
Dinner Date: Not anΒ Average Valentine’s Day Celebration
The adornments looked visually impressive. With candle lights and rose petals scattered around, the room conjured a feeling of romance. The table setting and comfortable seating were idealΒ as well for a quiet tΓͺte-Γ -tΓͺte. If I were to rate the ambiance like I normally do for my restaurant reviews, it would be 5/5 stars. π
LouieΒ served us food fromΒ Ombu Modern Filipino Restaurant in Tomas Morato.Β Ombu is a specialist for awesome Filipino food with twist. Tastes were not revolutionary but rich and excellent nonetheless.Β We had Tinapa Croquettes (creamed smoked fish coated in breadcrumbs), All Meat Pizza (Hungarian sausage, longganisa hamonado, bacon, salted egg whites, mozzarella, kesong puti), and Smoked Bangus Spaghettini (olive oil-based pasta flavored with garlic and smoked milkfish).
For our drink, Novellino Strawberry Passion was a pleasant surprise. It’s a casual 4.5%-alcohol wine blended with natural strawberry extract that enhances the wineβs fruity character and gives it a refreshing finish. Since the dishes went a little too heavy on the salt for our taste, the sweet wine turned out asΒ a good complement. π
I was delighted to see theΒ effort he exerted forΒ all these, but it was just the icing on the cake…
Video (Part 2)
After dinner, I gave him his gift. It was a long sleeve polo and a pack of coffee (he recently discovered his love for coffee). To my surprise, he said he has something for me, too. I thought the whole dinner experience was the gift, but that wasn’t all.
Another video began to play.
The Sweetest Marriage Proposal on Valentine’s Day
The video’s concept followedΒ “Maalaala Mo Kaya” (MMK) with Louie as both the letter-sender and Ms. Charo Santos. π It was an episode centered onΒ his views and feelings towards me, our relationship, and basically all the amazing highlights fromΒ the years we spentΒ together. His kind words sounded genuine. I felt in awe of theΒ thoughtfulness he put to making the video so unique and special.
This time, the video ended with an instruction, and it was for me to go through the door to the kitchen and follow the lead. I got lost at first but found the right way eventually. Apparently, the rose petals sprinkled on the floor were the lead to the room on the upper floor.
And there he wasβin the middle of the room, with one hand holding a bouquet of roses and another, in his pocket. I thanked him for the flowers and told him how I tried to open so many doorsΒ to find him.Β For a moment, it was quite comicalβuntil with a smile,Β he pulled out the ring, got down on one knee, and asked me to marry him! (Christina Perri’s A Thousand Years was playing as background music.)
My heart dropped and my face lit up with pure happiness. I did not even look at the beautiful diamond ring. I immediately said yes, certain as the sun rising in the east. β« Oh yes. I jumped into his armsΒ and hugged him tightly. He hugged me back. π
LouieΒ is extremely romantic, and our engagementΒ story shows that perfectly. It was one of the most preciousΒ nights of my life. πΒ For starters, I had absolutely NO IDEA that engagement was anywhere close to happening for us that night.
Thanks to his brothers for helping with the setup and taking our pictures. π
How We Met
Louie and I met in 2007 in our first year, third term in DLSU. We were taking up BS-ICTM (Information and Communication TechnologyΒ Management) and were classmates in some of our classes. I thought he was cuteΒ but thatβs all it ever was,Β nothing I imagined the man I would fall in love would be like. It wasn’t a year later when we started to talk.
Mostly we discussed about academics, homework, and only a little about personal life through online chat. In person, we exchanged two-second glances and quickΒ hello’s.
Fate gave usΒ a little push.Β Sparks flew when we realized how much our lives aligned. We knew it was something we could not ignore and so weΒ explored further. We were friends for two years before we became a couple.
We’re now at our seventh year, and I feel so grateful to have him. Heβs just the kindest and most loving person.Β He inspires me to take chances and be adventurous. Heβs always right there and does everything he can to make sure I feel safe. With him, I feel right at home. β₯
Now I have a wonderful fiancΓ© and one big wedding to plan! I can’tΒ wait to marry the man of my dreams and create more meaningful scenesΒ in our “MMK episode”Β to share with you guys. π So exciting!
About Rochkirstin Santos-Sioco
Health and technology freak. Food and lifestyle blogger with a large appetite for food and travel.
Aww Roch! Congrats to you both! <3
Thanks, Romzs! π
Hahahahahaha MMK!!!!!!! Super duper congrats roch!!!! To you and your forever!!! Ikaw na!!! Haba ng hair. Legit!!! See you soon!!M and super duper congrats because…you both deserve it!!!!! Yay!!!!!
Thanks, Jeng! π
It’s so nice to finally read how he proposed. I was actually planning to ask you in person but since you wrote it already, this is enough. I always tell people that if they have someone who loves them they are the lucky ones. And you and Louie are indeed lucky. I wish you nothing but the best in your engagement. Congratulations Roch! I am genuinely happy for you!
Thanks, Marge! π
Congrats you two! Super kilig and sweet! <3
Thanks, Helen! π
Congrats! Goodluck sa big wedding hehe
Thanks, Stacy. π
Wow… Im in awe… Super romantic engagement!
Wait, i want to ask if ur family will require the traditional ting hun beforee d big day?
Hi Anna! I don’t think we will be having the traditional ting hun.
So happy for you!!! Congrats Roch!!
Thanks, Phia. π
You have a keeper! I can’t imagine my husband putting forth that much effort into a proposal. He’s great, but he just wouldn’t do that. I loved hearing every minute of the proposal. I can’t believe you didn’t suspect anything!
Yup, I thought the sweet gestures and messages were only for Valentine’s Day. After research, I found that many couples get engaged on this very day. π Louie is kind and as my friend said, he does things over the top!
wow! super congratulations.. you guys seem to be meving on to the next step of your life. God bless!
Thanks, Jeypi. π
Oh my, that brought me to tears. What a romantic story! I’m so happy for the two of you. You look so good together! Congratulations, here’s to more years of happiness!
Thanks, Elizabeth! π
That is so exciting! Congrats. My husband and I don’t celebrate Valentine’s Day, but we got engaged on xmas eve.
Oh wow, that’s also nice! Thanks, Robin. π
How romantic is that. You’ve definitely got a keeper there. Congratulations!
Thanks, Stacie. π
How very sweet and romantic. Congratulations to both of you and good luck to the next stage of your relationship! You guys look great tpgether!
Thanks, Rose. π
This is so sweet! What a wonderful Valentine celebration for you both. I wish you all the best in the next phase of your lives together. π
Thanks, Claire! π
WOW! Congratulations! It looks like he really thought this out. What a romantic proposal.
He said he has been planning for this in months. Poor guy. π
that is amazing! You are seriously one very lucky woman! Congrats you two!!
Thanks, Angela. π
How sweet. I love what he did to the floor. Very cute!
Yup, I truly appreciate all effort! π
Oh my goodness!! Biggest congratulations to you! Sobra akong kinilig dito! Haha! π
Haha thanks, Jason. π
Wow! What a romantic way to propose! This made me reminisce the time when my husband proposed to me.
Yup, Louie is romantic though he doesn’t show this side of him to most friends. π
Omg Congrats to the both of you, It was a Romantic proposal ever.
Thanks, Victoria. π I tried not to cry.
Congratulations! That was pretty romantic and intimate. Your boyfriend really made a huge effort.
Thanks, Fred. π That’s hard to beat.
Congratulations!!! He is sooo sweet with all the preparation he made for you!
Yes, super. Thanks, Mommy Roxi. π
Congratulations.. You both make a great pair and love the decoration.
Thanks, Pooja. π
Wow, he surely knew how to do a marriage proposal. Congratulations and I’m sure that you two will be super happy together. Can’t wait to see the wedding day.
Thanks, Amanda. π
Louie is such a romantic and I’m so happy for both of you. I’ve been waiting to read the story since Louie posted that update. Louie is a lucky man to have you. And by the way, your engagement date still had your a game on your food stuff.
Haha thanks, Franc. π
Wow! This is one romantic proposal! I’m very happy for you, congratulations! May your life together be filled with surprises and appreciation for each other. <3
Thanks, Maerose. π
How absolutely amazing! First, congratulations! And a great big high 5 on your fiances presentation! so romantic and sweet! Thank you for sharing your amazing and sweet proposal with us!
It’s my pleasure. Thanks, Kelli. π
Congrats! The whole proposal event was very well-thought. Romantic!
Thanks, Shubhada. π
Congratulations! I’m so glad he did the asking and also put in so much effort to surprise you! It is also good that you record it down as a momento for that moment!
Yes, documentation for me is a must since I tend to forget things after some years. Thanks, Tiffany. π
Congratulations on your engagement. This looks like it was an amazing night. I love the giant heart on the floor.
Thanks, Ann. It really was! π
Congrats on your engagement!!! Looks like it was a magical night!!
Thanks, Ricci. π
Congratulations! Sounds like a day you’ll cherish forever. So romantic!
Thanks, Jenn! π
Beautiful beautiful beautiful proposal!! He put A LOT of work into this and it shows! Congrats!!!
Thanks, Monique. π
Oh goodness! Congrats! Such a wonderful looking meal. And that proposal! HOW SPECIAL!
Thanks, Chrystal. π
Wow! Congratulations. You two sure look amazingly happy. Great pictures and you definitely worked hard to make it such a special day. Thanks for sharing. I wish you two a beautiful journey together.
Thanks, PJ! π
Oh my goodness! How beautiful and such a sweet and heartfelt way to ask. Congratulations!
Thanks, Crystal. π
Congratulations on the engagement. He really put in a lot of effort to make this proposal occasion unforgettable. We your readers feel as if we know you guys already, and are very happy for you.
Thanks, Fred. π
Roch…. Hearty hearty congrats to you. Its a beautiful story. Louie is so so romantic… True, you would have felt its a very romantic Valentine’s day, and wouldn’t have expected a proposal twist at the end…
Yup! Thanks, Bhushavali. π
You definitely have a love story as they have in novels/movirs π
And all I want to do is convay my best wishes.
Hearty congratulations! π
Thanks, Pushkal. π
The video sounds so sweet! The rose petals and food look amazing. Congratulations!
Thanks, Jennifer. π
Wow! congrats I wish both of you have a good journey of life together. The way he propose is so sweet.
Thanks, Kelly. π
That’s one beck of a crazy amount of effort he did on proposing! Congratulations babe, looking forward for your wedding posts!
Thanks, Arisa! π
That was very romantic! I wish the two of you forever, because there is forever.
Wow naman, thanks! π
Congratz! A friend of mine got proposed by his boyfriend on Valentine’s day too. Still waiting her to share the story.. Hha
Haha, it seems too clichΓ© to propose on a Valentine’s Day, but it’s alright. π Thanks, Sin Yee!
Oh my gosh!! I’m so very happy for you guys! He sure know how to win over a girl’s heart! Wish you guys all the best!
Thanks, Marielle! π
Roch, congrats and wishing you all the best. I know that your relationship is going to last a lifetime, because the guy is madly inlove with you. xoxo
I hope that he’ll remain this way. Thanks, Pal Rine. π
Omg this is just so fabulous!!!! Loving the rose pedals!!!! And the food!!! Omg! Congrats π
Thanks, Courtney. π
That is such a sweet proposal. Love that he did it in such a special way! Congratulations!
Thanks, Shannon. π
Such a lovely story! Congratulations to you both and to many-many happy years together. The proposal was amazing! So romantic.
Thanks, Lori. π
Aww! This is so sweeeeet :3 Congratulations!
Thanks, Shy! π
What. a. story.
At least you proved Valentine’s Day the way it should be. As special as it gets. Congrats to the two of you!
P.S. That wine’s the sweetest flavor I had tasted.
Thanks, Slickmaster. π
That is the sweetest. Congrats to you both, he did great.
Thanks, Michelle! π