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

A chance seat swap turned into a life partner—Jean shares what really sustains love beyond the butterflies.

“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!

7 Lessons for a Happy, Lasting Marriage

These are the practical habits that Jean and David keep choosing—long after the butterflies.

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

Jean says chasing “perfect” only distracts from what truly matters. She highlights choosing one clear non-negotiable in a partner. “Reflect on what you think is the most important quality to look for in a partner. For me, it was being God-fearing.”

She adds that appearance, talent or wealth mattered less than faith. “When you find someone who is innately God-fearing, the other qualities, such as loving, respectful and loyal, will naturally follow.”

She also emphasizes that this single standard made discerning “the one” simpler. “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 rely on love alone—choose commitment.

From her experience, Jean explains that feelings rise and fall, while commitment is a daily decision. She says this choice carries a marriage through fatigue and friction. “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… is commitment.”

She acknowledges seasons when the spark dims. “There will be days when you wake up and wonder why you married that person… but it’s the commitment that keeps you going… that makes you choose to love that person again and again and again.”

Jean also highlights why many couples drift: they treat love as the sole pillar. She concludes, “Love doesn’t just happen. It comes after you decide to commit yourself to that person.”

3. Know yourself better.

Jean notes that self-knowledge shapes wise choices. She says she can be moody and indecisive, so she needed a calm, decisive partner to balance her. “That is why I need a partner who is calm and decisive to balance me out.” She explains that her husband’s patience and understanding meet her where she is, while she strengthens him in other areas. “He knows how to handle my moods and he helps me to make decisions when I am feeling overwhelmed… We are a good team because we complement each other’s strengths and weaknesses.”

4. Marriage is a team effort.

We all know that teamwork keeps a family afloat. For Jean, partnership—not preset gender roles—is what truly keeps the home running, especially with kids. She says both spouses should share the load. “Both partners should share the burden equally, regardless of their gender roles,” she emphasizes.

Living abroad without a built-in village, Jean adds, reshaped how she sees teamwork. Sharing the work doesn’t just finish chores—it protects the relationship. Jean says, “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 the little things.

Jean highlights the power of small affirmations. She says noticing effort and speaking it aloud changes the atmosphere at home. “A simple ‘Good job, honey!’ or ‘You did great, love!’ can make a big difference.”

She adds that appreciation signals care and value. “It shows that you care about them and that you value their contributions… It also creates a positive and loving atmosphere in the home,” she says.

6. Physical intimacy is a must, too.

Jean stresses that affection keeps emotional closeness alive—especially in busy seasons. She says it doesn’t have to be elaborate. “A simple hug and kiss… can be a way to show your spouse that you love and care about them… Any form of physical touch that feels good to both of you can be considered physical intimacy.”

She mentions hand-holding, cuddling and a quick massage as easy ways to reconnect. “It is important to make time for physical intimacy in your marriage… It is a way to connect with your spouse and remind them how much you love them.”

7. Lastly, pray! Pray! Pray!

The last and most important one according to Jean is the power of prayer. Jean underscores that prayer anchors the relationship in God’s guidance and gratitude. She says it deepens unity and steadies conflict. “Prayer is essential for a strong and healthy marriage… a way to connect with God and ask for his guidance and protection.”

She concludes with an encouragement, ““Prayer can be a powerful tool for building a strong and healthy marriage… 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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