They say love finds us in the most unexpected ways, and for Noah and Mischell, that couldn’t be truer. Neither of them had imagined they would find love online, but fate had other plans. Noah signed up on Christian Filipina after his dad casually mentioned the idea. Meanwhile, Mischell, encouraged by a colleague who’s in a happy relationship with a foreigner, decided to give it a try as well. Little did they know that these small decisions would lead to something extraordinary.

Their journey began when Mischell viewed Noah’s profile. Despite having only been on the site for a few days, Noah was captivated enough to send her a lengthy message on February 18, 2023, hoping it would stand out among others. To his delight, Mischell responded that very night and from that moment, the seeds of a beautiful love story were planted.

In the early days, they exchanged messages two or three times a day. They clicked right away because they shared many of the same hobbies and values. They are both Roman Catholic and they value faith and family deeply. On March 3, they had their first video call—a chat that lasted over four hours. Seeing each other’s faces and hearing each other’s voices for the very first time made everything feel real. Noah knew without a doubt that Mischell was the one he had been searching for. From that point, their connection grew even stronger and they made it a tradition to video call every weekend, with each call lasting longer than the one before.

On March 8, they moved their chats to Facebook Messenger and it wasn’t long before Noah could no longer hold back his feelings. Before taking the next step, Noah respectfully asked Mischell’s mother for permission to enter a relationship with her daughter. With her blessing, on March 18, Noah asked Mischell to be his girlfriend, making him her first-ever boyfriend. It was the beginning of something truly special, a bond that transcended time zones and distance.

Though separated by oceans, they made it work. They synchronized their schedules around Mischell’s busy life as a student-teacher for her master’s degree, her job at Chase Bank, and Noah’s work commitments. Their weekly video calls, which had started at just a few hours, soon stretched to six or seven hours, filled with deep conversations, laughter, and thoughtful questions they prepared for each other. With each week, they learned more about one another—everything from favorite foods to hopes for the future, including dreams of starting a family and discussing how many children they wanted and their future parenting styles.

As their relationship grew, so did the possibility of meeting in person. By April, they began discussing Noah flying to the Philippines. It was a big step, but by then, they had built a deep emotional connection rooted in trust, shared values, and dreams. Noah knew he wanted to take that leap. He also brought up the idea of a K-1 visa, hoping to bring Mischell to the US as his fiancée instead of waiting years for a work visa. As their talks grew more serious, Noah wanted to be prepared for anything. On May 6, he bought an engagement ring, dreaming of the moment he would place it on Mischell’s finger.

Then came June 30, a day Noah would never forget. He boarded a plane at Boston Logan Airport and flew across the world to finally meet Mischell face-to-face in the Philippines. When he landed late at night on July 1, it felt like all the months of waiting and wondering had melted away. On July 3, after a day spent visiting Simala, Moalboal Beach, and 10,000 Roses with Mischell’s family, Noah asked her mother for permission to propose in the Bisaya dialect without Mischell knowing. In the early hours of July 4, under the Philippine sky, Mischell cried because she was very scared Noah might leave her. He hugged her and later looked for a lighter. Mischell was very curious about why he was looking for a lighter and what he intended to use it for in the middle of the night. He lit a candle, took a small box from his bag, knelt down, and asked Mischell, "Pwede ba tika minyoan?" (Will you marry me?). Mischell was very surprised and said "YES!"—the easiest yes she had ever answered. Noah had planned to propose later in the trip but decided to do it early to reassure Mischell of his intentions. She had no idea that he would propose during this trip. It was a moment filled with joy, love, and the promise of forever. The first photo was taken on the day they got engaged, July 4, 2023.

As soon as Noah returned to the U.S., he started doing the petition to be with the love of his life. He submitted the paperwork to USCIS on September 9, 2023. After eight months of waiting, their case was ready. Mischell scheduled her medical examination and interview at the U.S. Embassy in August. To show his support, Noah flew to the Philippines again, this time bringing his supportive parents along. The second photo was taken on August 12, 2024, during a special family day with Noah, his parents, and Mischell’s family. By God's grace, Mischell’s visa was approved on August 20, as seen in the third photo.

On November 6, 2024, Noah returned to the Philippines for the third time to bring Mischell home to the US where they could finally begin their life together. They arrived home in New Bedford on November 10.

Now, as they prepare for their wedding and the life that awaits them, Mischell and Noah couldn’t be more excited for the future. They know that their journey hasn’t always been easy, but every step, every challenge, has brought them closer to where they are today, ready to say “I do” and build a life and family together.

This is their love story- a story of patience, faith, and the kind of love that crosses oceans and knows no boundaries. Whether it’s time zones, distance, or cultural differences, love, when nurtured, can bridge all gaps. This is just their beginning and they can’t wait for what comes next.

#NOAHnElseButMISCHELL