I’d heard about friends talking about how they found true love online but honestly I wasn’t expecting much. Living in London life was fast-paced and to be real a bit lonely. I’d tried dating locally but nothing ever really felt right. So I decided to sign up for FilipinoDate.net wondering if someone halfway across the world could actually bring something new into my life.
That’s when I came across Carla’s profile. Her smile was the first thing I noticed—a bright, genuine smile that seemed to light up her whole face. In her bio, she wrote about her love of cooking and how she enjoyed spending weekends by the sea. Something about her seemed so warm and real, so I sent her a message. I kept it casual, just asking about her favorite Filipino dishes, and that little icebreaker led us into a conversation that never really stopped.
Carla replied with a warmth and openness that I hadn’t felt in a long time. She told me all about her favorite recipes the ones her mother taught her, and her love of big family gatherings. We bonded over our shared love of food, family, and a good laugh. Before I knew it we were messaging every day, sharing everything from childhood memories to big dreams. For the first time in years, I felt a spark—a real, meaningful connection.
I never imagined a long-distance connection could feel so close. Despite the thousands of miles between us talking to Carla felt like chatting with someone who’d been by my side forever. I’d wake up excited to check my messages eager to hear about her day and share mine. And as the weeks went by I found myself daydreaming about what it might be like to actually meet her in person.
The idea of flying to the Philippines to meet someone I’d only known online was daunting. I wondered if it was crazy—if I was getting my hopes up for something that couldn’t possibly be as real in person. But Carla and I both knew our connection was special something neither of us had felt before. We decided to take a chance and meet knowing it might be a gamble but that we’d regret it forever if we didn’t.
When I landed in Manila, my heart was pounding. I felt like a nervous kid before a first date. We arranged to meet at a small restaurant near her home and as I waited every possible thought ran through my mind. But then she walked in and all my doubts disappeared. There she was smiling just like in her photos but this time it was real. I stood up we hugged and in that moment I knew this wasn’t just a gamble. This was something worth holding on to.
Those days we spent together were some of the best of my life. Carla showed me her favorite spots and introduced me to her family, friends and we even cooked some of her favorite dishes together. Everything just felt right like I was exactly where I was meant to be. It was surreal how someone I’d met online who lived so far away felt like home to me.
Carla and I are now working on making a future together. We’re navigating the challenges of long distance relationship but we’re doing it with full hearts knowing that what we have is rare and worth every effort. Taking that chance changed our lives forever. I went in hoping to find a friend but I found so much more—I found my partner and the love of my life.
Looking back I can’t believe I almost let fear stop me from sending that first message. We took a chance on each other and it’s the best decision I’ve ever made.
~Bruce