How do you know at 14 years old that someone is meant to be in your life forever?
Looking back at her teenage years, Jennylyn Rivas-Binarao couldn’t help but giggle at the thought of it. At only 14, she wasn’t very sure about a lot of things. But she somehow knew in her heart that her high school classmate Will would be the man she would meet and marry at the wedding altar one day.
“Will and I had been schoolmates since grade school and we also lived in the same neighborhood. But despite these, we really didn’t talk much. One day, he sent me a love quote via SMS and then we started talking consistently after that. He courted me and he became my first boyfriend,” reminisced Jen.
But because she was too young then, her parents understandably did not allow them to go on dates and it was hard for them to find a time to be together. Jen soon found herself enduring her first heartbreak when after 9 months, they broke up.
Although they were in different universities then, Will tried to court her again and they got back together. Now college students, they were so busy juggling so many things all at once: adjusting to university life, focusing on their academics, and more. All these took a toll on the relationship and they eventually decided to call it quits.
Jen moved on with her life, but after some time Will tried to pursue her again. He proved that he was always there for her, even helping her with schoolwork to lighten her load. “There was one time when we had no water supply in the subdivision and he went to our house to personally offer to fetch water for us!” smiled Jen. “He really made sure he was there for me whenever I needed help.”
High school sweethearts Will and Jen Rivas-Binarao got married in 2016, 14 years after they first fell in love.
With such heartwarming efforts, it wasn’t difficult for Jen to fall in love with him again. Fourteen years after, Will and Jen proved to everyone that teen relationships should not be easily brushed off as something that is fleeting and not meant to last. In 2016, the high school sweethearts exchanged “I do’s” and vowed to love each other for better or for worse.
“Being high school sweethearts definitely contributed to the strength of our relationship because we saw how each of us grew and developed into the persons we are today. We witnessed almost all of each other’s milestones — wins and losses, highs and lows, and everything in between,” shared Jen.
The secrets to their relationship? Patience and acceptance. “It’s an act of never-ending forgiveness because no one is perfect. We all have flaws and we have to accept that. No matter what we go through in life, we always choose each other.”
Today, they are doting parents to their son Philipp Isaiah Onin or Pio, a child the Lord blessed them with after three years of patiently waiting to conceive.
Will and Jen are now doting parents to their son Pio, a child God blessed them with after three years of waiting.
“Will is a really hands-on dad, he’s the one washing Pio at night even after a long, tiring day at work. He is also our son’s personal stylist because he oversees his wardrobe. I love Will so much, but seeing him be a father to Pio makes me love him even more,” said Jen. “Seeing how great he is as a husband and dad proves to me that marrying my high school sweetheart is the best decision of my life.”
She concluded, “I knew Will was the man I wanted to grow old with even when I was just 14 years old. I’m just grateful to the Lord for making that happen.”
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