Kasih Dipelihara Waktu (Love Nurtured by Time)

Di sebuah paroki kecil, Christina Danielle dan Kevin Timotius pertama kali bertemu. Saat itu mereka masih duduk di kelas 5 SD, mengikuti pelajaran komuni pertama. Mereka sering belajar bersama di ruang Katekese, duduk di bangku yang sama, berbagi buku panduan, dan saling membantu menghafal doa-doa.

“Kevin, kalau lupa doa Tobat gimana?” tanya Danielle dengan wajah cemas.

“Gampang, aku bantu kok. Kamu cukup baca pelan-pelan, nanti lama-lama hafal,” jawab Kevin sambil tersenyum.

Hari itu, mereka menjadi teman dekat. Komuni pertama menjadi momen istimewa bagi mereka, tetapi setelah lulus SD, kehidupan membawa mereka ke jalan yang berbeda. Kevin harus pindah ke Bandung untuk melanjutkan pendidikan SMP hingga SMA, sementara Danielle tetap tinggal di kota kecil mereka.

Bertahun-tahun berlalu. Danielle melanjutkan hidupnya, berusaha mengejar cita-citanya menjadi arsitek. Ketika masuk universitas untuk jurusan arsitektur, ia tidak menyangka takdir mempertemukannya kembali dengan Kevin.

Saat ospek, mereka berdua ditempatkan dalam kelompok yang sama. Danielle hampir tidak mengenali Kevin, yang kini telah berubah menjadi pria dewasa. Tapi ketika Kevin tersenyum dan menyebut namanya, ingatan tentang teman komuni pertamanya kembali muncul.

“Danielle? Ini aku, Kevin! Ingat nggak, kita dulu bareng waktu komuni pertama?” katanya penuh semangat.

“Kevin? Astaga! Kamu Kevin yang dulu suka ngajarin aku doa-doa?” tanya Danielle dengan mata membelalak.

Mereka tertawa, berbagi cerita tentang masa kecil mereka, dan menyadari bahwa meski waktu telah memisahkan, keakraban mereka tidak pernah benar-benar hilang.

Selama masa kuliah, Kevin dan Danielle menjadi semakin dekat. Mereka sering belajar bersama, menghadiri misa kampus, dan mendukung satu sama lain menghadapi tantangan akademis. Pada suatu sore setelah misa, Kevin memberanikan diri menyatakan perasaannya.

“Danielle, aku tahu ini mungkin terlalu tiba-tiba. Tapi aku nggak bisa menahan perasaan ini lebih lama. Aku suka kamu. Sejak kita bertemu lagi, aku merasa seperti Tuhan memberi kesempatan kedua untuk kita,” ucap Kevin dengan jujur.

Danielle terdiam sejenak, wajahnya memerah. Tapi akhirnya, ia tersenyum. “Aku juga, Kevin. Aku senang kita bertemu lagi. Aku ingin kita mencoba.”

Hubungan mereka dimulai dari sana, dengan cinta yang bertumbuh perlahan namun pasti.

Setelah lulus kuliah, mereka memasuki dunia kerja. Danielle menjadi arsitek yang sibuk dengan proyek-proyek besar sementara Kevin mengejar kariernya sebagai pengacara. Meskipun pekerjaan mereka menuntut banyak waktu, mereka selalu menyempatkan diri untuk misa bersama setiap Minggu.

“Sesibuk apapun, kita harus tetap ingat untuk berdoa dan misa, ya,” kata Kevin suatu hari.

“Selalu, Kevin. Itu janji kita,” jawab Danielle.

Setelah lima tahun pacaran, Kevin memutuskan bahwa sudah saatnya membawa hubungan mereka ke tahap berikutnya. Ia merencanakan lamaran yang istimewa di menara Eiffel, tempat yang selalu menjadi impian Danielle.

Di bawah gemerlap lampu menara Eiffel, Kevin berlutut dan mengeluarkan sebuah cincin. “Danielle, kamu adalah anugerah terindah dalam hidupku. Will you marry me?”

Dengan air mata bahagia, Danielle mengangguk. “Tentu saja, Kevin. Aku mau.”

Setelah pertunangan mereka, persiapan pernikahan dimulai. Mereka memutuskan untuk menikah di Gereja Katedral, tempat yang penuh makna bagi mereka. Dalam misa pemberkatan yang khidmat, mereka mengucapkan janji sehidup semati di hadapan Tuhan dan keluarga tercinta.

“Kevin, aku berjanji akan mencintaimu dalam suka dan duka, dalam sehat maupun sakit,” kata Danielle dengan suara bergetar.

“Danielle, aku juga berjanji akan selalu mendampingimu, dengan iman dan kasih yang kita pelihara bersama,” jawab Kevin.

Beberapa tahun setelah menikah, mereka dikaruniai seorang anak laki-laki yang mereka beri nama Jacob. Kehidupan mereka semakin lengkap dengan kehadiran sang buah hati. Meski kesibukan kerja tetap menjadi tantangan, mereka selalu berusaha meluangkan waktu untuk keluarga dan Tuhan.

“Tuhan benar-benar baik kepada kita, Kevin,” kata Danielle suatu malam sambil menatap Jacob yang tertidur lelap.

“Benar, Danielle. Kita mungkin melewati banyak hal, tapi Tuhan selalu menunjukkan jalan-Nya. Aku bersyukur karena kita bisa menjalani semua ini bersama,” jawab Kevin sambil merangkul istrinya.

Cinta mereka, yang bermula dari bangku katekese saat komuni pertama, kini telah menjadi kisah yang indah. Dengan iman yang kokoh, mereka terus melangkah bersama, menghadapi setiap tantangan hidup dengan cinta yang diberkati Tuhan.

[Bahasa Inggris]

In a small parish, Christina Danielle and Kevin Timotius met for the first time. They were just in 5th grade, attending their First Communion class. They often studied together in the Catechism room, sitting on the same bench, sharing guidebooks, and helping each other memorize prayers.

"Kevin, what if I forget the Act of Contrition?" Danielle asked anxiously.

"Don't worry, I'll help you. Just read it slowly, and you'll remember it in no time," Kevin reassured her with a smile.

That day, they became close friends. Their First Communion was a special moment for them, but after graduating from elementary school, life took them on separate paths. Kevin had to move to Bandung for middle and high school, while Danielle stayed in their small hometown.

Years passed. Danielle pursued her dream of becoming an architect. When she entered university for an architecture degree, she never expected fate to bring her back to Kevin.

During orientation, they were placed in the same group. Danielle barely recognized Kevin, who had grown into a young man. But when he smiled and called her name, memories of her First Communion friend resurfaced.

"Danielle? It's me, Kevin! Remember? We were together in First Communion class!" he said excitedly.

"Kevin? Oh my gosh! You’re the Kevin who used to help me with prayers?" Danielle's eyes widened in surprise.

They laughed, shared stories of their childhood, and realized that even though time had separated them, their bond had never truly faded.

Throughout university, Kevin and Danielle grew closer. They often studied together, attended campus Masses, and supported each other through academic challenges. One evening after Mass, Kevin finally gathered the courage to confess his feelings.

"Danielle, I know this might be sudden, but I can't hold it in any longer. I like you. Ever since we met again, I feel like God has given us a second chance," Kevin said sincerely.

Danielle was silent for a moment, her face turning red. But finally, she smiled. "I feel the same way, Kevin. I'm so happy we met again. I want to give this a chance."

And so, their relationship began growing slowly but steadily in love.

After graduating, they entered the working world. Danielle became a busy architect handling major projects, while Kevin pursued his career as a lawyer. Though their jobs were demanding, they always made time for Sunday Mass together.

"No matter how busy we get, we must always remember to pray and go to Mass," Kevin reminded her one day.

"Always, Kevin. That’s our promise," Danielle replied.

After five years of dating, Kevin knew it was time to take their relationship to the next level. He planned a special proposal at the Eiffel Tower, a place Danielle had always dreamed of visiting.

Under the twinkling lights of the Eiffel Tower, Kevin knelt down and presented a diamond ring. "Danielle, you are the greatest blessing in my life. Will you marry me?"

Tears of joy filled Danielle’s eyes as she nodded. "Of course, Kevin. I will."

After their engagement, wedding preparations began. They decided to get married at the Cathedral, a place that held deep meaning for them. During a solemn wedding Mass, they exchanged vows before God and their loved ones.

"Kevin, I promise to love you in good times and bad, in sickness and in health," Danielle said, her voice trembling.

"Danielle, I also promise to always stand by you, with the faith and love we have nurtured together," Kevin responded.

A few years into their marriage, they were blessed with a baby boy whom they named Jacob. Their life felt even more complete with their little one. Despite the challenges of balancing work and family, they always prioritized their time together and their faith.

"God has truly been good to us, Kevin," Danielle said one night as she watched Jacob sleep peacefully.

"Yes, Danielle. We’ve been through so much, but God has always shown us the way. I'm grateful we get to live this life together," Kevin replied, pulling her into a loving embrace.

Their love story, which began in a Catechism classroom during their First Communion, had blossomed into something beautiful. With unwavering faith, they continued to walk hand in hand, facing life’s challenges with a love blessed by God.