Tezzy arrived late Sunday night, December 1, at Juan Santamaría Airport in San Jose, Costa Rica, by way of Panama, Paris, and Hong Kong. She had to take two flights that lasted more than 36 hours total, yet as she exited the airport with lots of baggage in tow, she looked refreshed and very happy to see me. I was waiting with a bouquet of freshly cut flowers in hand. I was thrilled to see her again—almost a year after our initial rendezvous in Manila, Philippines. We snapped a few pictures as we waited for the Holiday Inn Shuttle to pick us up and whisk us off to our hotel 10 minutes away. 

A few months after my late wife passed away, I reached out to Tezzy on social media, and we began to chat at least twice a day, either on Facebook Messenger or WhatsApp. Sometimes we would video chat. I knew there was something special about her, but had no idea at the time that we would become so close in a long-distance relationship. 

In the beginning, I experienced some push-back from some of my Filipino extended family members. I understood why. They loved Cely, my late asawa (wife), as much as I did. But I couldn’t allow myself to wallow in grief and sadness as so many do after the loss of a loved one.

So, I made the life-changing decision to relocate to beautiful Costa Rica and bring some joy, peace, and happiness back into my life by having Tezzy join me. Surprisingly, we got married in a civil ceremony in San Jose the following day.  This story is not over. Rather, it’s just the beginning! So, follow us and our experiences and adventures here in beautiful Costa Rica.  Pura Vida!

(Written Before Covid – 19 Outbreak)