The love story started two years ago when Paul replied to Lourdes’ comment on a post on a Facebook page. Lourdes did not pay him any attention; Paul, however, was very eager to know her so when he found the opportunity, he asked a colleague of Lourdes’ to send his regards. Paul afterwards sent her a friend request on Facebook. They became friends, got to know each other deeper, and after two months of courtship, became the sweethearts they are today.
Paul eventually went on board Bow Fagus as a Deck Boy while Lourdes was on board Bow Pioneer as Stewardess. They both had nine-month contracts, so they were able to see each other for a month during vacation until Paul was lined up for Bow Aquarius. After a few months, Lourdes boarded Bow Star.
The couple has not seen each other in person for almost a year now, relying mostly on instant messaging and video calls to communicate with each other. To cope with the longing, Lourdes would print a photo of Paul’s and tape it on the side of her bed just to feel like her boyfriend is beside her.
By a stroke of luck, Bow Star arrived in Houston, Texas early this month, just as Bow Aquarius was having cargo operations in the same port. So close, but it was still just a 50/50 chance for the couple to see each other due to the unpredictable shifting and timing of berthing. The whole crew of both Bow Star and Bow Aquarius called on the universe to make the reunion possible for the lovebirds – and their plea did not fall on deaf ears.
July 4, 3:00: Bow Star was well-anchored at the Galveston Anchorage when she was advised to shift to berth at Stolthaven Terminal. This meant she would pass by the port side of Bow Aquarius, then anchored at Vopak Deer Park 5.
A few hours later, on board Bow Aquarius, Captain Alfred Gabuat sent Paul to the bridge wing as Bow Star was about to pass them.
Meanwhile, the crew on board Bow Star was on standby fore and aft for mooring when the Third Officer noticed someone standing on the bridge wing of Bow Aquarius. He told everyone about it, and the crew cheered for this special moment.
Lourdes went outside the port quarter and was surprised with what she saw from afar: Paul was standing proudly on the bridge wing, holding a whiteboard with the words “I love you Langgha".
With tears in her eyes, Lourdes shouted "I love you, too!" to Paul from the distance. The Bow Star crew joined in chorus, chanting “I love you, too” so Paul could hear them. Captain Fidel Perez of Bow Star, with the pilot's permission, also sounded the ship's horn, making everyone rejoice even louder.
Paul later sent Lourdes a message, saying that he was very happy to see her even from the ship’s manifold only.
What mattered for him is to see her in person even from afar, and the support he got from the entire crew, sending him to the bridge wing and making him write his message on a white board because they knew that Lourdes won’t hear him.
It was certainly not the typical reunion of lovers who have not seen each other for almost a year. But with the timing and with all the support from the crew of both ships, it was a reunion that melted everyone's hearts.
