By ^9thGrade, I experienced what many teenagers go through my first relationship. Young love brought excitement, lessons, and emotions I had never experienced before. But as I moved into Grade 10, the world changed drastically. The COVID-19 pandemic swept across the globe, bringing lockdowns, restrictions, and uncertainty. Like many others, my relationship suffered due to a lack of communication, and eventually, it ended. It was a painful but valuable reminder that even love needs presence and effort to survive. Meanwhile, the sudden shift to online classes was another hurdle. Adjusting to remote learning was far from easy, yet I pushed through and successfully graduated high school in 2021, despite all the obstacles.

      I then enrolled in Senior High School, choosing the General Academic Strand (GAS). The schedules switching between Set A and Set B initially confused me and made studying difficult. But as I advanced to Grade 12, I learned to adapt, manage my time, and improve my performance. Badminton continued to be part of my life during these years. Though I no longer won at the division level, my efforts were still recognized, and I proudly received medals for my participation. In 2023, I graduated from Senior High, ready to face the next stage of my life.

      That same year, I entered Isabela State University-Cauayan City Campus, pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Information Technology (BSIT) with a focus on Web and Mobile Application Development (WMAD). College life has been a mixture of difficulties and triumphs. The academic workload is heavy, and challenges come one after another. But I embrace each one, knowing that they are shaping my skills and character. Beyond academics, college has been about independence, responsibility, and learning more about who I am and what I want to become.

      Then, something unexpected yet wonderful happened. The person I once called my first love the same one who became my greatest love returned to my life. After months of patience, effort, and rebuilding, we reconciled. On February 8, 2025, we officially got back together. That moment marked not just a return of love, but also a reminder that some bonds are worth fighting for, and sometimes, life gives us a second chance at happiness.

      Now, as a third-year BSIT student, I continue to walk this path of growth. My journey is far from over. There are still countless challenges ahead both in my studies and in my personal life but every step I take, whether filled with joy or hardship, shapes me into the person I am becoming. From the quiet child I once was, to the playful student, the determined athlete, the heartbroken teenager, and now the college student pursuing his dreams, I carry with me the lessons of perseverance, resilience, and love.

      This is my story a story still in the making, but one I embrace wholeheartedly.