A Beautiful Love Story of Ace and Matt
Matt first came into my life on September 2, 2011, when we were introduced to each other by my sister, Terry. They were coworkers at his first job at Walmart for 9 years.
We started as friends on Facebook. All through 7 years of sending messages – even if quite on and off, it was always a pleasant happening. He was consistently cheerful; it constantly was an easy, seamless conversation every time. Never a dull moment; it was always fun and comforting – inspiring.
His penchant for talks about anything in life very well showed his compassion and thoughtfulness. His affirmative willingness and conviction to always choose love and happiness were so contagious, it hit me in no time.
He eventually left Walmart to go back to Guam and take care of his mother, Mama Margaret, who was very sick then. Matt stayed with her until she passed away on February 12, 2012. He was so heartbroken; I felt that in his voice. I tried my best to console him with words since that was the only thing I could do for him as we were oceans apart at that time.
On March 24, 2017, things magically turned out differently for us – we started communicating on a daily basis at this point. It was as if on cue that it was the right time for us to seriously connect and take our friendship onto a whole different level, to something kind of new but also familiar, something deeper. This may sound cliche but the world appeared more colorful as we went along.
Matt’s points of view about life, love, and God somewhat took me by pleasant surprise. His love for nature and poetry, how he appreciated street art, his fondness for sunrise and sunset even the waves, his interest to watch various Asian cooking techniques, and how he desired to travel and see all the wonders of the world – all of these and much more had me willingly tweak some of my beliefs and dreams. Each day of our flourishing relationship made me want to always put him in the picture, that my otherwise solo-starrer of a life story deserved him, only him, to play the part of the constant partner that infuses zest into my existence.
We both decided to make it formal on May 10, 2017. We both felt like there was no other way to go but into each other’s arms. We exchanged our I Love Yous during a rather toned down but obviously giggling-like-a-teenager conversation. In truth, we felt like our hearts wanted to burst out of pure joy and just shout it out to the world. That day marked the beginning of the many happiest days of our lives.
Matt went to the Philippines nine months after, or on February 14, 2018… Yes, a Valentine’s Day! How so romantic was that??!!! He left the United States for the first time and traveled halfway around the world to see me in person. He frequently told me that what he did made him “the happiest Man on God’s Green Earth.”
On the 13th day since we first laid our eyes on each other at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, on February 27, 2018, while we were in the so-called happiest place on earth, Disneyland in Japan, he made me the happiest woman on the planet. He popped the question and I said, “Yes!” And the rest, as they say, was history – the loveliest history.
We got married in Martinez, California, on May 10, 2019.
As you may have noticed by now, I mentioned all the significant dates in this story – OUR STORY. I did so because it was how much I treasure the time we have spent together. In fact, each day of being with Matt was the bestest.
Matt will forever be my person (soul mate) and will eternally have a special place in my heart.
As a married couple, before we say our goodnights and go to sleep, we would tightly hold each other’s hands and pray. We also never failed to give each other good night kisses – lots of it!
I will sorely miss that and everything about him: his affection, his kindness, his sweet and smiling face.
He was a loving son, brother, uncle, co-worker, friend, and husband.
Grief spells definitely hit me every now and then because I could no longer hug him and kiss him. But I find solace in knowing that his pain is over and we have an angel now.
I love you, Matthew Joshua Taitano, with all my heart and soul. You are the most amazing and beautiful human being I’ve ever met in my life and for that, you have made me the “happiest Woman on God’s Green Earth.”
Until we meet again, My LoveLove!
Ace and Matt Forever ❤️❤️
