Louder Than Words

Have you ever heard of the expression: action speaks louder than words? I couldn't agree more. Everyone can make statements and promises, but actions are for the committed and brave. Joseph and Ervia perfectly embody that expression. Both of them confessed they are not romantic creatures who do big gestures to convince the other of their love. But I think their actions say otherwise.

Joseph knew that flowers eventually lose their beauty, so he proves his love with his consistency. Ervia is a strong woman who is trying to make it in the big city, Jakarta. She braves loneliness when she left her family in Pontianak behind to fight for her career. Joseph is the only family that she has in Jakarta and he takes it seriously. He never fails to send food to Ervia’s place whenever work occupied too much of his time or whenever Ervia gets sick. She doesn't have to worry about a thing. He always comes through.

Joseph is a homebody who values his restful night and is usually fast asleep by the time midnight strikes. So when Ervia’s birthday came, he did things out of the ordinary for Ervia. When the clock stroke midnight, there he was outside of her bedroom door with a lit up cake in his hands, singing happy birthday to his one and only. To the world the cake might be a simple random tart but to him it’s a gesture that screams, “I give you my heart.”

Joseph is a Kamen Rider fanatic, he collects the figurines, watches the series, goes to the convention, you name it and there he’ll be! Ervia on the other hand could care less about the manga. “After all the love he has consistently shown me, I’m going to make more effort to make him feel mine. I’m going to try to understand this particular hobby of his. Watch the series, research more on the figurines, and I will faithfully accompany him to all the toy fairs that he wants to go to. It doesn't matter where we go to or what we do. As long as we’re together that’s all that matter.”

Real love does not give up. It perseveres, pushes through the limits and doesn't get intimidated by uncomfortability. On the contrary true love blossoms in the midst of adversity. Joseph and Ervia know that hardship is temporary. Therefore they press on and reach for eternity.