This story yet again proves that we should trust the perfect timing and love really works in mysterious ways!
After 22 years, former high school lovers finally found their way back together after they broke up in 2002.
“He was my first love and the one I only dated for almost three years. We broke up and I had a baby with another guy. I became a single mother. 22 years later… He started courting me again. After breaking up for more than two decades, we got back together again,” 37-year-old Merry Nugui shared in a now-viral TikTok post.
Wilbert was Merry’s first boyfriend in 1998. They never became classmates, but both joined a dance group in high school.
“First year high school kami. Kasali kami sa group ng school tapos kami ‘yung magka-partner lagi sa sayaw. Naging kami kalagitnaan ng magse-second year high school. Hanggang sa gumraduate kami, kami pa rin naman,” Merry told The Philippine STAR.
After they graduated from high school, the two decided to study in different colleges that tested their relationship.
“Nung first year college na kami, okay pa. Pinupuntahan niya ako, pero hindi na every day. Dun na-less ‘yung communication. Ako ‘yung nakipaghiwalay kasi may nabalitaan ako. Syempre sa ibang school, tapos ‘yung mga tropa namin may kinukwento,” said Marry.
“From Quezon City to Sto. Niño, Bulacan, sinusuyo pa rin niya ako. May time na natulog siya sa labas ng bahay namin. Ganun naman ‘yung effort niya hanggang siguro napagod na talaga siya,” she added.
After their breakup, they still became friends since they have the same friend group.
Marry added, “Hindi naputol kasi meron pa rin kaming tropa. May communication kaming mga tropa. Talagang minsan, nagkikita kami. Kasama ko ‘yung anak ko, ‘yung tatay ng anak ko,may kasamang girlfriend. Pero okay kami.”
Until they both went to a mini high school reunion.
“Nagpagawa ng t-shirts, nabuhay ulit po ‘yung aming gc tapos nag-send ng mga picture namin nung high school. Nandun ‘yung kaming dalawa lang. Nagkita kami sa school nung gabi ng alumni [homecoming] tapos nag-inuman. Hinatid niya ako dito sa bahay, nagkakamustahan na. Hanggang sa “Anong problema?” ‘pag may problema na,” she recalled.
When they both became single, Wilbert distanced himself from Merry as he was also working as a seaman.
After a couple of months, Wilbert reached out to Merry in 2022.
“Sabi niya, ‘Uuwi ako para i-meet ‘yung anak mo.’ Pero nakaka-video call niya na kasi. Sabi ko wala namang problema, hindi mo na kailangang manligaw. Importante lang sa ‘kin na okay kayo ng anak ko,” Merry stressed.
After two decades, come back is real! Their relationship became official on April 19, 2022.
“Hindi namin akalain na kami din pala. Siguro nga ito ‘yung perfect time ni Lord. Kahit sa mga tropa namin, mga teacher namin, sobrang saya nila. Sabi nila, ‘Kayo pa rin pala,’” Merry said.
“Kung paano niya makukuha ‘yung loob ng anak ko. Lalo naman akong bumilib sa kanya non. Sa family ko wala naman akong naging problema kasi kilala na siya. Kaysa naman daw humanap ako ng iba na hindi naman kilala,” she added.
Merry has a message to anyone looking for “the one.”
“‘Wag lang mawalan ng pag-asa. Marami pa naman diyan darating na plano ni Lord na para sa ‘tin basta mag-antay lang tayo sa tamang panahon. ‘Wag natin madaliin kasi baka sa maling tao pa tayo mapunta,” she noted.
