Natalie came to WOFEX
Natalie visited SMX to see me at our company exhibit. Seeing Natalie there made a long workday feel special.
SMX Convention Center
The first hello
Our first date
K♡N
For Natalie, with all my love
It started
with one song.
One unexpected hello. One jazz performance I couldn’t forget. And a story I’m still grateful to call ours.
Together since · November 1, 2025
Read our story ↓
A little further
A note from me to you
Natalie, I’m glad life brought me to that room.
I didn’t know it then, but the afternoon we met would become the beginning of my favorite story. I remember the little details: the time, the coffee conversation, the song, and the way I wished I’d found a few more seconds to talk with you.
This is how it happened, as I remember it. And this is for you.
Always, Kurt
Some stories begin
before either person
knows it.
before either person
knows it.
K ♡ N
May 30, 2025 · 2:25 PM
Chapter one · The first hello
“He’s kinda cute.”
We met at Manila Golf and Country Club at exactly 2:25 PM. Natalie’s cousin Lizzie asked if Natalie had a boyfriend. Natalie said no, so Lizzie pointed at me and said, “That’s your type, oh.”
And Natalie said, “He’s kinda cute.” I had no idea that little line would become part of our story.
Natalie went to get gelato and coffee. The gelato won—but Natalie also wanted to get to know me. I spoke with Irene and gave her my calling card, then Natalie and I talked for a few seconds about Gusto Coffee and La Marzocco.
Then Natalie wandered around the event. I was busy, and I didn’t get the chance to ask for Natalie’s number.
I still wish I’d found those few extra seconds.
“Then Natalie sang—and suddenly, I had a song I couldn’t forget.”A jazz performance · Manila Golf and Country Club
May 30, 2025 · Later that afternoon
Chapter two · The song I remembered
I was captivated.
Natalie’s singing performance captivated my heart. Natalie sang jazz so beautifully. Then Natalie left with one final look.
I was still busy. By the time I realized I wanted to ask for Natalie’s number, the moment had passed. I felt so sad. The phone number on my calling card belonged to a phone that had been snatched, so I thought there was no other way to find Natalie.
Then someone followed me on Instagram. It was Natalie.
I followed back right away and replied to one of Natalie’s stories. We started chatting—and just like that, the door opened again.
June 20–21, 2025
Chapter three · A reason to meet again
Two events, one hopeful plan.
I thought of inviting Natalie to perform at our wine event. Tavolo was on June 20, and Lusso was on June 21. If Natalie said yes, I’d have a chance to see Natalie again—and maybe talk a little longer.
Natalie agreed. The plan went smoothly, and those days gave us more moments together.
June 27, 2025
Our first date.
Calle Cafe in Silang. A real date, just the two of us, after a beginning that neither of us could have planned.
June 29 – July 6, 2025
Chapter four · The little things became ours
Church, gym, bulalo, then Starbucks.
On June 29, I attended Mass at Natalie’s Orthodox church. It was also our first gym session together at AF Tagaytay. Afterward, we ate bulalo, then went to Starbucks. A full day, and one of those days that made being together feel easy.
We went to the gym again on July 1 at AF San Lazaro. The next day Natalie left for a vacation in China. On July 6, we had a video call because Natalie missed me a lot.
Even with miles between us, we were already finding ways to stay close.
July 1–6, 2025
Staying close, even from miles away
A little distance, a lot of missing you.
On July 1, we trained together again at AF San Lazaro. The next day, Natalie left for a vacation in China.
On July 6, we had a video call because Natalie missed me a lot. These little moments kept us close while we were apart.
Intramuros, our date and pictorial
We spent the day together in Intramuros and took photos to remember it.
A day in the old city
Natalie met my family
Natalie met my mom, dad, and brother. It meant a lot to share that part of my life.
A little closer to home
Natalie came to ICEGEX
Natalie visited the World Trade Center in Pasay to see me at our company exhibit again.
World Trade Center, Pasay
November 1, 2025 · Boracay
Chapter five · The yes at sunset
Our first flight together.
On November 1, we took our first flight together and went to Boracay. Just months earlier, we were strangers at an event. Now we were starting a trip together, with all the little memories that had brought us there.
At 5:25 PM, with a beautiful sunset happening, Natalie said yes to being my girlfriend.
The best answer. The most beautiful timing. The beginning of us.
Our first monthsary
Our first monthsary didn’t go exactly as planned. Emilia was closed, so we ended up at the coffee shop in front of it. But we still got to celebrate together, and that was what mattered. We came back the next day, December 2. Two dates for our first month. Haha.
Our first Christmas season
We were supposed to spend our first Christmas together, but I had to go to Baguio with my mom, dad, and brother. We had our little Christmas moment on December 23 instead. I wish I could have stayed longer with you.
A new year, and two months of us
Our first New Year together and our second monthsary at Bag of Beans. Starting the year with you felt right. More coffee, more dates, and more reasons to see you. I was looking forward to all of it.
Three months · Wildflour
Three months with you. We celebrated at Wildflour Café + Bakery in QC. I liked having this little date to look forward to every month. An excuse to eat somewhere nice and spend more time with you. Haha.
Four months · Filling Station
Our fourth monthsary at Filling Station in Poblacion, Makati. Another place, another date with you. I’m glad we kept making time for these little celebrations.
Your 20th birthday
Your 20th birthday, and my first time celebrating your birthday with you. I was happy I got to be there, Natalie. I hope I get to celebrate a lot more birthdays with you.
Five months, and a goodbye
Our fifth monthsary came with a goodbye to AM Group. That place will always be part of our story because that job brought me to the event where I met you. We still celebrated at Somewhere Cafe. A lot was changing around that time, and I was glad I had you.
My 28th birthday
My 28th birthday with you, my family, and your family. It was fun having everyone together. I was happy you were there with me. Thank you for being part of my birthday, Natalie.
Six months · Circuit Makati
Six months already. We celebrated somewhere in Circuit Makati. I might need a little help remembering the restaurant, but I remember being there with you. Half a year of us. Haha.
Seven months · Din Tai Fung
You were DTF. Din Tai Fung, of course. Haha. We celebrated our seventh monthsary in BGC, around the time I started working there too. Good food and a date with you. A pretty good way to start the month.
Eight months of us
Eight months with you, Natalie. Another month of making time for us. I’m happy we get to keep adding these little memories together.
Our first international flight
Our first international flight together. Hong Kong! I was excited to go, but even more excited that I was going with you. Another first for us, and a whole trip of getting to spend time together.
Our first Disneyland · Hong Kong
Our first Disneyland together. I’m glad my first time there was with you, Natalie. One of those days I’ll always enjoy looking back on with you.
A spontaneous cable car adventure
We didn’t plan this one, but we ended up taking the Ngong Ping cable car from Tung Chung. It was such a fun experience with you. Sometimes our spontaneous plans turn into the best memories. Haha.
Ocean Park, on a whim
Another spontaneous day, this time at Ocean Park. I loved getting to do all these things with you. We were making plans as we went, and somehow it all became a trip I’ll always remember.
Nine months · Starbucks
Our ninth monthsary at Starbucks. Haha. After all those adventures, here we were having coffee together. I liked this too. It doesn’t always have to be a big plan for me to enjoy being with you.
Ten months · Still making time
We were both busy, so we went to a nearby café for our tenth monthsary. I’m glad we still made time. Even a little date with you was something I looked forward to.
Eleven months · Back to Emilia
Back to Emilia for our eleventh monthsary. The same place we wanted to go to for our first. This time, almost a whole year together. It was nice coming back with you, Natalie.
One year of us
A few days before our anniversary, we went to Palawan and visited the Underground River. We had so much fun. Another trip with you, and now a whole year of us. From that sunset in Boracay to here. Happy first anniversary, Natalie. I love you, and I’m excited for what we get to do together next.
November 1, 2026 · Our first anniversary
Natalie, you said yes.
And I got to call you my girlfriend. From a first hello at 2:25 PM to that beautiful sunset at 5:25 PM, I’m grateful for every step that brought us here.
You said yes.
5:25 PM · Boracay
Happy first anniversary, Natalie.
Thank you for becoming my favorite story.
I love you.
— Kurt
Read it again ↑Thank you for becoming my favorite story.
I love you.
— Kurt