When asked what my favorite book is (while I was still a kid, a teen and a student) I will always answer any book that comes into my mind – the Hardy Boys (since one of my ninangs gave me that book one Christmas), Wuthering Heights, My Antonia, and others. But not until I turned 21 – already living with a job and with a boyfriend.

It was 2008 and my ex-boyfriend and I were together for three years. I am a Christian and he’s not. We did not spend much time together that time since he’s working as an accountant (the work demands are very high). He’s living far from my mom and dad’s house and we do not share the same interest. It is unclear how our relationship lasted that long but it actually came to its near end when I got an answered prayer – January 1, 2008.

We had a simple misunderstanding last October 26, 2007 – our monthsary. We weren’t able to meet together to celebrate it (reason forgotten). I didn’t understand but I know I am hurting as most girls do and actually cry about it – overnight. In bitterness I prayed to God that if my best friend who happens to be my “puppy-love” admits that he is still in love with me, I’ll be leaving my ex and love the later with all my heart. Then I said “Amen”. The love story is very complicated. But during that time, I know that I am wandering – I left the Church, I was working for myself, I have no goals, no dreams, I have nothing in my heart and my mind since my life just revolved around that man.

On the other hand, my best friend and I parted ways 2003 since he needed to study in Baguio City. We developed our love for each other since we were in third year high school but it didn’t work out because we were very young. But five years after, on January 1, 2008, my best friend, in a brief text message‒ said:

“Hey, I don’t want you to love me back but I just want to say that I am still in love with you.”

I was shocked after reading that text message, my heart was moved back closer to my Creator to whom again I prayed (oh well I am still crying during that time with reasons still undefined) “God, if you really want me to have a love story right now, just give it to me immediately for I have here with me, two boys waiting.” My phone rang after I said “Amen” and it was my best friend on the other line. He came home (to Muntinlupa) all the way from Baguio just to see me since he believes in his heart that I just need someone to be with me personally – and that’s how swift God answered my plea.

Days after that somehow magical evening, I bought this book seeing it was highly recommended and it was also referred by a friend — “When God Writes Your Love Story” by couple Eric and Leslie Ludy. Let’s say that I saw it, had it and read it on the most perfect time on my life. Everything seemed destined and I started to learn from the every page of that book – an inkblot of their God written love story.

Every chapter, every word – it seemed that they were actually talking to me, carefully narrating every detail of their sweet story. They took time to reveal what a love story would look like with God as the author – not I, not my will, not everything that I want because whatever I long for, God has prepared something far off better than that. “If it happened to them, I believe, it can also happen to me,” I said to myself.

My best friend became my prayer partner and together we asked God to direct our lives and our stories since it was He who placed on my mind to pray that October 2007, to make my best friend send me a message and to be home one January. We turned lovers during that time and everyday becomes a sweet memory on our God-written tale. It was effortless – no hassles – no problems. He came back to Manila and lived with his parents in April 2008. Since we share common interests – music, computers, technology; we meet every day for he just lives a few blocks from us. That time, we developed inward excellence – we devote time praying for our hearts, for our families, for our friends and for our future. Indeed it was our faith that made God granted us with a pleasant love story.

The book just changed the way I look on love – with its five sections –

“Desiring a Love Story” – In brokenness I pray and desired for a better one;

“Preparing for a Love Story” – After a “Yes” from God, after I desired and hoped for one – I believed that I should be ready if it comes to me – immediately.

“Waiting for A Love Story” – A story does not end on its beginning – it progresses until the end. In waiting it is very difficult but everything was for our own good – love is not instant. It is magical.

“Sweetening a Love Story” – An apple without a taste is a bad fruit so as to a love story without sweetness is an empty life. With a continuous trust to God, I received a special everyday from Him that makes us (my best friend and I) love each other more.

“Discovering a God-Written Love Story” – I know in my heart that I already have it and I am still on the process of discovering it.

Now, after exactly three years, last January 1, 2011 – I got married. Well, I should praise God for Eric and Leslie Ludy and their book and I should thank Him as well for this special God-Written Love Story.

Today, when asked what my favorite book is I will always answer – “When God Writes Your Love Story. He is writing mine, would you like Him to write yours too?”