It is my intention to share a story that beautifully captures both love and challenge for the month of love. That’s why this February I wanted to find a couple who can share their immigrant journey and love story. Little did I know, the story I was searching for will be from someone I met one snowy evening. My friend Lou introduced me Joan, and as I spoke to her, I discovered that the story I was looking for was right in front of me!

As I get to know Joan and April, I was struck by the depth of their journey. Their story of long-distance love, determination, and resilience is truly inspiring and I’m so grateful to have the opportunity to feature their story.

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Meet April and Joan, a couple whose journey from the Philippines to Canada—and from strangers to partners—is a testament to the power of love and commitment.

Life Before Canada

Before moving to Canada, April lived a fulfilling life in the Philippines. She worked as a competitive intelligence analyst for an international legal firm and led her Manila team. She was truly contented and happy with her job. Her days were filled with work she loved, adventures in food and travel, and even a touch of photography. Yet, there was a lingering loneliness as her parents and her sisters had all migrated to Winnipeg (Canada).

Joan on the other hand had a simple yet meaningful life when she was still in the Philippines. She had a great career in IT. She also helped her mother with their sari-sari store on weekends until she decided to move out from their family home. Living independently for the first time taught Joan valuable lessons about herself. Though she had a strong bond with her family, she yearned for personal and professional growth.

The First Step: April’s Move to Canada

When April moved to Canada in 2015, she doesn’t know Joan yet. Her decision to finally migrate to Winnipeg was driven by her desire to be closer to her family. Leaving behind a promising career, she embraced the challenge of starting anew in Winnipeg. Though she had prepared for the move, nothing could have fully prepared her for the extreme cold and the quieter pace of life compared to bustling Makati (Philippines), where she worked for a few years. The job hunt was tough, and the loneliness was palpable, but April persevered. She eventually landed into programmer job and started to adapt to the new work culture.

How their Story Began and the Challenges of Long-Distance Love

Photo courtesy of April Carandang & April Ballester

Their love story began unconventionally on a Facebook fan page for the TV show Orange Is the New Black, an American comedy-drama TV series in Netflix. They are both members of this FB page, a comment about their shared Aquarius zodiac sign led to a friendship and this connection deepened overtime. Despite the physical distance and the challenges of being in different countries, April and Joan’s bond grew stronger.

Maintaining their relationship from opposite sides of the world was no small feat. FaceTime calls, texts, photos, and videos helped them to stay connected. They also had monthly virtual dinner dates and they scheduled annual trips to see each other and be physically together, these helped keep the spark alive. However, the distance brought its share of struggles, they have their share of missing milestones, feeling jealous of those physically closer to your partner and enduring the heartbreak of goodbyes after their rare in-person visits.

There will be times that most calls would end with tears and every airport goodbye felt like it could shatter their hearts. The longing was constant, like an ache that never quite went away. There were nights when they questioned if they could keep going, nights when the silence of being apart felt deafening. Yet, through it all, they held on. They clung to the vision of their future together, even when it felt impossibly far away.

What kept them going was their love and their strong determination. They constantly reassured each other, finding strength in their shared dreams. "Another day apart," they reminded themselves, "is another day closer to being together."

Reuniting in Canada

The road to reunion wasn’t easy. Joan’s tourist visa applications were denied twice, so they had to go through a different path, they applied for a Conjugal Partner Sponsorship under Canada’s family sponsorship program. To immigrate to Canada as a conjugal partner, you must meet certain requirements and provide quite a lot of supporting evidence. Despite providing proofs of the genuineness and permanence of their relationship and that their both committed and mutually interdependent, they still receive a Procedural Fairness Letter (PFL) from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), this letter typically signals concerns with the visa application. April and Joan needed to provide additional evidence to support their claim of conjugal partnership, aside from their photos together, the evidences of their continuous communications, a letter explaining how they support each other, they even had to ask a couple of friends to also make a letter attesting that they personally know April and Joan and about their relationship. The process was long, pandemic delayed their application even more.

But their determination never wavered. Finally, their patience paid off, and Joan joined April in Canada!

Adjusting to life in Canada was particularly challenging for Joan. Coming alone, far from her family, she faced the reality of living in a completely foreign environment. From navigating the bitter cold to understanding Canadian culture, building relationships with April’s family, and finding her place in a new community, it was a steep learning curve. Yet, Joan’s resilience and April’s unwavering support helped her navigate these obstacles, and she slowly built a sense of belonging.

Lessons Learned and Words of Wisdom

April and Joan’s journey was a crucible of challenge, endurance, and hope. The challenges they faced including months of separation, countless sleepless nights filled with tears, and the relentless ache of missing each other, all of these tested their commitment in ways they never imagined.

"Love isn’t just the moments of joy," April reflects. "It’s choosing to stay when things get hard, when the distance feels unbearable, and when doubts creep in. It’s about the promises you keep when no one else is watching."

Joan echoes this sentiment, saying, "There were times we felt like giving up, like the weight of waiting was too much to bear. But we reminded ourselves of why we started this journey. We leaned into our love, even when it hurts and that gave us the strength to keep going."

Their experience taught them the profound importance of trust, patience, and resilience. "Every message, every call, every ‘I love you’ carried us through," Joan shares. "Distance forces you to value the little things, to see them not as small but as lifelines."

When asked what their advice to others, they gave a powerful answer: "Fight for what you love," they say. "There will be days when it feels impossible, but those are the days when you need to fight the hardest. Hold onto your dreams and your faith in each other. The hard days will pass, but the love you build will last forever."

Building a Life Together

Now reunited, April and Joan are focused on creating a fulfilling life in Canada. They are both grateful for all the opportunities that came in their way. For them, one of the biggest advantages being in Canada as an LGBTQ+ couple is there isn't much discrimination and prejudice compared to their experiences before moving to Canada.

They feel that they can spontaneously pursue their interests without being judged and without worrying of what other people will say.

Aside from having their own house, their shared dream is to build businesses that reflect their passions and skills - April with her photography and stop-motion filmmaking. Joan with her web design. Together, they’re turning their vision into reality, showing how love and determination can fuel a future filled with purpose and shared success. Every step they take is a testament to their resilience and optimism as they continue to embrace the opportunities that Canada offers.

A Story of Hope and Love

April and Joan’s story is an inspiration for those navigating the complexities of immigration and long-distance relationships. It shows that love, coupled with determination, can overcome even the greatest obstacles. As they put it, “Another day away from each other is another day closer to when you will finally be together.”

This love month and the days to come, let’s celebrate love stories like theirs—stories that remind us that love truly knows no borders.

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One story at a time, we celebrate resilience, hope and new beginnings. See you next month for another chapter!