Johann Paolo Garcia & Kristina Marie See: A love story made in heaven

MANILA, Philippines - The love story of Johann Paolo Garcia and Kristina Marie See is made in heaven. Before they met, they knew they were searching for the person that God wanted them to be with. More importantly, it was clear to Pao and Tin that they had to prepare themselves spiritually and mentally to be the person they ought to be for the one God prepared for them. And so they continued to strive to be better individuals through church, their careers, and their relationships with others.

Pao and Tin started out as friends. Their moms (Tetch Garcia and Ma. Luisa A. See) were friends from high school and eventually, their paths crossed. The meeting turned into friendship and the friendship turned into understanding. Little did they know that they would find the love of their lives in each other.

I have known Pao since we were very young. He was the brother I never had. And I have been with him through almost everything. And so, when he decided to devote his life to the Lord, I was one of the happiest people for him.

All throughout his journey, he always told me he wanted to find a partner who he could worship God with and someone who would respect all his beliefs and put God in the center of their relationship. For a long time, Pao made friends with many girls, but he never really pursued anyone. All this time, Tin was present in his life and she was always there for him. He would constantly mention Tin to me and I knew in his heart he had the desire to pursue her, but he was waiting for the right time, for God’s go signal.

Finally, one day, I got a call from Pao. He was ecstatic. He called to tell me that he finally knew who he was meant to spend the rest of his life with. It was Tin all along, the one girl who was always there with him. It just took some time for them to realize that God did plant their love in their hearts a long time ago and that they were meant to be together.

Things happened faster compared to others, but that was because they were both certain, beyond the shadow of a doubt, that when they entered a relationship it wasn’t to explore or try things out, it was to start a life together and pursue each other for marriage.

I think that is the most amazing thing about them — they knew from the very beginning that they were meant to live a life together and start a family that would praise God and inspire other people.

I have never seen my cousin so sure of anything else in his life. When asked why he asked Tin to marry him after only months of being a couple, he answered simply, “Because when you know, why wait?”

For Pao and Tin, the journey to finding each other may have been long and challenging, but it was definitely worth the wait. The Bible says that love is patient and kind. I know for a fact that their love was born out of sincere patience and genuine desire and faith that they would find their soul mate.

God answered their prayers, and so, last July 22, the lovely couple exchanged “I do’s” at St. Peter the Apostle Church in Paco, Manila. Joining in their celebration of love and the beginning of the rest of their lives together were their happy families, relatives, and friends.