How Jean Found True Love on a Plane: 7 Lessons for a Happy Marriage

“It all started with ‘Hi and Hello.’”

As soon as Jean Cabatingan-Moore began narrating her story, it felt like I was watching the plot unfold straight out of a romantic movie. I couldn’t help but be reminded of the movie, “Love at First Sight.”

Jean was on her way back home for the holidays, and the hour-long flight from Manila to Bohol was the last leg of the trip before she could be reunited with her family and friends. She was tired and just wanted to get home, but she was in for a surprise.

When she looked for her seat on board the plane, she noticed that an older man had already occupied her space by the window.

“Excuse me, is this your seat?” she asked.

But someone else answered in his stead, “No. Sorry, that’s not his seat.” A young man, who had just finished securing their bags in the overhead compartment, turned to her and apologized.

He then asked the older man, who turned out to be his father, to vacate the seat.

As someone who didn’t really mind the situation, Jean offered her seat to save everyone the hassle, but the young man insisted. He asked his father to swap places so that Jean could sit by the window.

The father willingly complied, but to Jean’s surprise, the young man had other plans in mind. He took the seat next to her.

“Hi, I’m David,” he smiled at Jean.

And that’s how Jean and David spent the next hour getting to know each other on a flight to Bohol in 2015. Their serendipitous meeting soon blossomed into a relationship and eventually led to a lifetime commitment to each other.

Later on in their relationship, Jean learned that David always preferred the aisle seat rather than the middle and window seat. But on their first meeting, he was willing to step out of his comfort zone and occupy the middle seat so he could stay beside Jean and chat with her the whole flight.

Their story is a reminder that love can happen anytime and anywhere, even in the most unlikely places and events. It’s all about being open to the possibility and being willing to take a chance.

Fast forward to the present, Jean and David are happily married with four wonderful children in their humble abode in Australia. In addition to the lessons she learned from her love story, Jean has also discovered a lot about marriage and relationships in the seven years since she and David got married.

In this blog, Jean shares the seven most important lessons she has learned from her own love story and marriage. Read on to find out more!

1. Do not seek perfection. It will only frustrate you.

“Instead, reflect on what you think is the most important quality to look for in a partner. For me, it was being God-fearing. I could have chosen his appearance, talent or wealth, but I knew that those things didn’t matter as much as his faith.

When you find someone who is innately God-fearing, the other qualities, such as loving, respectful and loyal, will naturally follow. I didn’t have a hard time looking for the one because I only set one definite standard that I wanted in a husband.”

2. Don’t trust in love alone. Commitment is what you need in a relationship.

“In my experience, when all the stresses and tiredness of life get to you, it’s easy to forget that you’re in love. But what you need in a relationship, especially a husband and wife relationship, is commitment. There will be days when you wake up and wonder why you married that person. There will be days when the spark is gone and you feel like you’re all alone, but it’s the commitment that keeps you going. It’s the commitment that makes you choose to love that person again and again and again.

I believe that the reason why so many couples break up is because they think that love is the most important thing in a relationship. When they fall out of love, it’s easy for them to cheat or look for someone else. But love doesn’t just happen. It comes after you decide to commit yourself to that person.”

3. Know yourself better.

“If you know yourself better than anyone else, you can make better decisions about your life, including who you want to spend the rest of your life with. For example, I know that I am a moody person and I can be indecisive at times.

That is why I need a partner who is calm and decisive to balance me out. My husband is the perfect person for me because he is patient and understanding. He knows how to handle my moods and he helps me to make decisions when I am feeling overwhelmed. At the same time, I also help him in other aspects that make him a better person. We are a good team because we complement each other’s strengths and weaknesses.”

4. Marriage is a team effort.

“Marriage is all about teamwork, especially when you have kids. Both partners should share the burden equally, regardless of their gender roles. I grew up with the mentality that only women should be the ones to take care of the kids and manage the household, but I’ve learned that a healthy marriage and parenting require both partners to be involved.

In the Philippines, you can get help from family and friends, but that’s not always the case when you live abroad. When you share the workload, you not only reduce the stress on each partner, but you also build a stronger sense of teamwork and commitment. You realize that you can’t do it all on your own and that you need each other to get through the tough times.”

5. Always appreciate your spouse even in the little things they do or accomplish.

“A simple “Good job, honey!” or “You did great, love!” can make a big difference. It shows that you notice and appreciate their efforts, which can boost their self-esteem and make them feel loved and appreciated.

When you appreciate your spouse, it shows that you care about them and that you value their contributions to the relationship. It also creates a positive and loving atmosphere in the home, which is essential for a healthy marriage.”

6. Physical intimacy is a must, too.

“A simple hug and kiss, whether in private or public, can be a way to show your spouse that you love and care about them. It can also be a way to connect with them emotionally and physically. Any form of physical touch that feels good to both of you can be considered physical intimacy. It can also include holding hands, cuddling and giving a massage.

It is important to make time for physical intimacy in your marriage, even if you are busy or stressed. It is a way to connect with your spouse and remind them how much you love them.”

7. Lastly, pray! Pray! Pray!

“Prayer is essential for a strong and healthy marriage. It is a way to connect with God and ask for his guidance and protection. It is also a way to express gratitude for your spouse and your marriage.

Prayer can be a powerful tool for building a strong and healthy marriage. It can help you to connect with your spouse on a deeper level, to resolve conflict, and to weather any storms that may come your way.

So never underestimate the power of prayer! Pray for your marriage often, and trust that God will answer your prayers.”

Jean’s story is a reminder that love can be found anywhere, even in the most unexpected places. “I believe in destiny. I prayed to God that He would bless me with a kind and loving husband. And so I unexpectedly found him on a flight to my home in Bohol.”

It is also a reminder that marriage is a journey, not a destination. It takes work and commitment to make it last, but it is one of the most rewarding experiences in life.

If you are looking for love or trying to strengthen your marriage, Jean’s seven lessons are a great place to start. Remember to be patient, be open to new experiences and never give up on love.

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