"Who Would Have Known?" (A Love Story of an Ex-Priest and an Ex-Nun)

CHAPTER 9: The Challenge of Embracing God's Call to Married Life

God's call for William and me to get married was undoubtedly His divine plan, conceived from the moment of our existence to eternity. He prepared us, made us, and placed in our hearts the desire to build His kingdom on earth. We needed each other to achieve such a purpose.

Reflecting on how I responded to the situation at hand, I often wondered where I found the strength and courage to stand by my decision and give William a chance to prove himself and his plans. It amazed me how an introverted person like me could shrug off the disapproval of William's family and friends, completely ignoring what they might think of our relationship.

It was my faith in God's plan and belief in William's words that sustained me. He believed that it was God's will that brought us together and that it was for the best for him to leave the priesthood and pursue his true calling of building God's kingdom on earth with me.

My love for William also gave me the courage to accept the challenges of being together. Initially, I was hesitant and denied falling for him because of my distrust of true love, which I learned from my parents. But thanks to my loving husband, I was able to overcome that baggage.

William believed that the principle of community development, an integration of psychology, sociology, and Christian spirituality, was the answer to national recovery. He wrote two books, "Spreading the Good News for National Recovery" and "Creative Management," based on his experience and research, with high hopes of getting them published soon.

William's one-year leave of absence from priesthood passed quickly. He continued his community work as the Executive Director of a social Action Foundation in Palawan. While his application letter for dispensation was pending in Rome, he frequently visited me at the state university library. He updated me on the progress of the request and also feared that I might be intimidated by the cold acceptance of his family and opposition of some religious friends.

We began to learn more about ourselves and each other's families by visiting each other's homes. William met my family and learned how much they depended on me financially. We also went on outings with them to historical places like Intramuros and Luneta.

Our going out together boosted my self-confidence as a woman because of his gentle ways and manners. He was sensitive to my needs and safety. His appreciation for my looks and how I dressed up inspired me to look even better and feel beautiful.

Every time William showed such attention, I always responded with a smile and a kind word of thanks and praise. Sometimes, I would tease him by saying, "Ah, you are fishing again for a compliment."

We attended several invitations from friends, and the most memorable was the wedding ceremony and reception of our friend Faith, who was responsible for our meeting after many years.

Our most memorable experience during William's frequent visits to the State University Business Library was the long cool walk we took on the main street, bordered by mahogany trees.