Mara and Totoy first met in the spring of 2012, at a birthday party hosted by a mutual friend. Totoy, notorious among his circle for his habitual tardiness and procrastination, arrived late to the party. Meanwhile, known for handling her alcoholic drinks better than most of her friends, Mara frequently remained awake long after her friends had called it a night at gatherings. As Totoy finally made his way to the snug and cozy Filipino house in Hampton Village, he was excited to indulge into some pinoy-style spaghetti, not expecting the night to be anything out of the ordinary. Little did he know, it was a night that would change his life forever. It was on that dim, breezy front porch in the midnight of April 2012 that Mara opened the front door for Totoy, where their eyes met for the first time, signaling the beginning of their love story.

Mara, naturally amiable and outgoing, greeted Totoy with a smile and made him feel welcome. She sat next to him as he enjoyed his spaghetti engaging in friendly conversation. Her first words to him were, “Uy kuya, familiar ka!” Being unaccustomed to such cordial interactions, Totoy misinterpreted her gestures as flirting. From that moment on, he affectionately referred to Mara as “ate,” unknowingly reciprocating her friendly demeanor in a playful and flirtatious manner, trying to match her energy. They conversed into the night, displaying a familiarity and comfort with each another that belied their brief acquaintance. Their conversations flowed effortlessly, touching on a variety of random topics. They exchanged phone numbers and texted each other until dawn in the days that followed.

As the summer went by, they started attending more of the same gatherings and house parties with their mutual friends. Totoy found that he was increasingly becoming more attracted to her warmth and friendliness, especially to the fragrance of her cherry blossom lotion from Bath and Body Works. Similarly, Mara slowly became captivated by his thoughtfulness and quirky sense of humor. Their mutual infatuation deepened until he finally gathered the courage to ask her out on a date. As if guided by fate, Mara’s job was relocated to a location conveniently near Totoy’s home, making it much easier for them to arrange lunch dates.

They officially became a couple on December of 2012, and embarked on unforgettable trips to destinations such as Mexico, New York, Las Vegas, Hawaii and Japan, creating cherished memories. They attended college together and made plans for their future as a couple. In August 2022, Totoy proposed to Mara on a sunny summer day at the Prince of Wales Castle in Waterton, Alberta, a place that held deep significance for both.

Exactly 12 years later, on December 12, 2024, they will officially tie the knot in a civil wedding. And on December 28, 2024, Mara and Totoy would like to invite you to witness and celebrate as they embark on a new chapter of their journey together, exchanging vows in front of God in a church wedding in Bohol, Philippines. They eagerly look forward to sharing this special day with you.