Not everyone gets another chance to fall in love. In this age of online dating, ghosting, and very public breakups, I am fortunate to find a supportive partner. He was introduced to me by a college friend, and we hit it off immediately. Our initial conversations were far from smooth, but we had enough traits in common in order to start a relationship. I enjoyed our chats because they were rooted in our common childhood experiences, given that he was an Ateneo lifer and I went to Miriam College Grade School.
We both wanted to be in a relationship at the right time. We were both single, willing, and drawn to our common interests and values. I was grateful for our shared experiences from the beginning, because we always found a way to agree to disagree. He was personable and fun to be with during our first date, and the rest is history.
I knew that his love was real when he witnessed how I overcame conflicts on my end. He helped me solve problems and he volunteered to edit and proofread my book. Given that it was my first book project, he was generous with his time and supportive as a partner. When my birthday fell in the middle of the recent lockdown, he risked the possibility of being stopped at a checkpoint to personally give me gifts and a cake. Evidently, his effort shows genuine care, concern, and affection.
Now that we are in the middle of the pandemic, finding love is determined by three factors: effort, concern, and action. Make sure that your partner is willing to exert effort in spending time with you. See how your partner shows concern towards you. After observing your partner, examine how he takes action on his feelings.
I am lucky that my partner loves and supports me. It is my wish that everyone finds someone like him, and that relationships with love and shared experiences will last beyond the pandemic. If you also met your partner during the pandemic, let me know you are coping and how you see your relationship is going.
Stay safe, everyone!