I, Aksel, share one of the most incredible and unexpected moments of my life. It was March 15, 2020, and we were in Siquijor to celebrate our second wedding anniversary. Little did I know, Jessa had been keeping a secret that would change our world forever.
The day started off quite peacefully. I remember watching a butterfly and reflecting on its life cycle—how it starts as a larva, feeds on plants, goes into its cocoon, and then emerges as something entirely new and beautiful. It felt like a fitting metaphor for the transformation our own lives were about to undergo, though I didn't realize it at the time. We were enjoying the quiet of the island, grateful that there weren't too many people around, and just soaking in the beauty of Siquijor.
As we were celebrating our two years of marriage, Jessa told me she had a surprise. I truly had no idea what was coming. I never expected it, not even in the back of my mind. We’ve had so many adventures together, but this was something on a completely different level.
Then, she revealed the secret: she was pregnant. I was completely shocked—in the best way possible. I didn't even know how to put it into words. It was a moment of pure, overwhelming joy. To find out we were going to be parents while we were on this beautiful island celebrating our anniversary felt like a dream.
Of course, the news came at a very strange time in history. As I've talked about in our other videos from Siquijor, the COVID-19 lockdowns were just starting to happen. Finding out we were expecting a baby right as the world was shutting down and we were becoming stranded on an island added a lot of complexity to our emotions. There was the thrill of the new life growing inside Jessa, mixed with the uncertainty of how we would manage medical care and eventually get back home to the mountains.
But in that specific moment captured in the video, it was all about the happiness of the revelation. It’s a memory I’ll cherish forever—the surprise in Jessa's eyes, the realization that our family of two was about to become three, and the beautiful Siquijor backdrop. It was the best anniversary gift I could have ever imagined.
This video marks a major turning point for us. From this point on, our journey wasn't just about exploring the Philippines and living our mountain life; it became about preparing for a new life. Every decision we made after this—including our eventual move to the city for better medical care—stemmed from this one beautiful secret Jessa shared with me on that quiet day in Siquijor. It’s the start of our biggest adventure yet, and I’m so glad we have this moment captured to share with all of you.
