It has been more than two years since Filipino theater star Rachelle Ann Go and Martin Spies got married. But when and how exactly did these two hearts find their way to each other?
Granting the request of some, Rachelle and Martin uploaded a 23-minute vlog on YouTube where they talked about their love story, hoping to inspire others who have yet to meet their “the one.”
Rachelle took everyone back in January 2017, the time she was heading to New York. While on the plane, she decided to bring out her journal and write down her dreams and prayers for her Broadway stint.
It was all about her career at first, but all of a sudden, she said a part of her suddenly wanted to pray for something she never included in her prayers before: her future husband.
“That was the first time that I started praying for a husband and I was like, ‘Lord, please give me a husband,’ in that journal,” she shared.
She then started to jot down what kind of person she wanted to spend her life with.
“It was so specific na talagang parang (that) it seems impossible but I was like, ‘you know anything is possible with God so why not pray for what you want?'” she added.
Rachelle, however, was not the only one praying for her “the one” at that time, as Martin, also in January 2017, prayed to meet his other half.
“My Bible group was getting together to pray for our faith goals for the year, basically what we’re believing God for that year, and I shared with them that this year’s the year that I want to meet someone,” he said.
“We prayed that night for me to meet my future wife,” he continued.
When Rachelle finally arrived in New York, she met a woman, her Tita Ritz, who took care of her while she was in New York. Rachelle considered her as her second mom and become the couple’s godparent in their wedding.
Rachelle recalled that her aunt wanted to introduce to her a certain ‘handsome” and “Godly” guy, but the singer refused, saying that she would rather focus on her spiritual journey and Broadway show.
Sunday came and Rachelle went to the church alone because her Tita Ritz was not available at that time. When she was walking in the aisle, a man who was standing at the corner suddenly caught her attention.
“Napatingin ako, nag-palpitate [‘yung puso ko]. Nag-double look ako pero ‘yung pag-double look ko, slow-mo. Sabi ko talaga (I suddenly looked at him and then my heart palpitated. I looked at him again, but this time, it was in slow motion. I really told myself), ‘this is the guy I’m gonna marry,'” Rachelle said.
A week after that, Rachelle went again to the church, but this time, she was with her Tita Ritz. After the service, her aunt finally introduced Martin to Rachelle, who turned out to be the guy she saw last week.
After the meeting, Martin started to ask around and researched a little bit about Rachelle.
“I was very interested in trying to figure out who you are and [I’m] really kind of figuring out how I can get to know you more,” Martin said.
Rachelle said she also wanted to know more about Martin so she asked a common friend. This friend immediately moved to make Rachelle and Martin meet again by arranging a hangout night in February.
“I was excited and nervous at the same time na (that I was like), ‘oh my gosh, am I ready to meet someone at this point of my life?'” Rachelle asked.
Martin invited his family and friends to come to the gathering, but when that day came, a massive blizzard happened in New York. Due to this, Martin said everyone was thinking whether or not they should cancel it, but Martin wanted it to push through, in hopes that he would see Rachelle.
Thankfully, their hangout night was not canceled, giving Rachelle and Martin the opportunity to see and talked to each other more.
“Shin walked in and I was happy it was her because I didn’t know it was her who’s showing up. I was just very excited to get to know you a little bit, your story,” Martin told Rachelle.
The day before Valentine’s day was Rachelle and Martin’s “first date” — but not yet as a couple.
“We really took our time to get to know each other and really build that foundation, which is the friendship. I think that’s really important, you know, if you want to spend the rest of your life with someone, build that friendship first, really get to know each other by talking and exploring,” Rachelle said.
After months of getting to know and spending time with each other along with their friends, Martin finally asked Rachelle in April if they could make their relationship official.
“That night was so special when you asked me,” Rachelle recalled.
“We watched ‘Hamilton’ tapos (then) you asked me na that night. It was April 23rd,” she continued.
In July 2017, Martin finally met Rachelle’s family. The couple got married in April 2018 in Boracay, Philippines.
Celebrating their two years of marriage and three years of being together, Rachelle posted on Instagram photos of them on their last trip to Palawan.
“This week is our 7th week of lockdown! It is the longest time we’ve been together 24/7 and it has been a great opportunity for us to grow as husband and wife. Marriage gets better and better and better with you @spiesmj,” Rachelle wrote in the caption, tagging Martin’s Instagram account.