When we think of falling in love, we think of a rush of adrenaline that leads us to make reckless decisions, plunging headfirst into the unknown. It's about defying all constraints, guided solely by the beat of our hearts.

But, the love story of Nash Aguas and Mika dela Cruz tells us that true love is found in the stillness that washes over us once we allow ourselves to let go and surrender. It's in the moments when we let our hearts break, trusting there’ll be clarity someday. And when we understand that answers come in the moments when we, palms up, offer everything to Him.

While many may think of their love story as a simple tale of puppy love that blossomed into something more, many are unaware of the trials they faced, including their breakup season that lasted for half a year, making their recent wedding a ‘miracle’ on its own.

Nash and Mika – from puppy love to greatest love. Read on to know their story.

‘Crush’ Season

Growing up together in the world of showbiz, Nash and Mika had a good childhood. However, for Nash, Mika was often cold towards him, lacking any hint of affection. There were times when she would be particularly harsh because she knew he had a crush on her, but her family's strictness, especially since she was the youngest, kept their relationship platonic.

They fondly recall one Christmas Eve from their childhood when Nash bravely texted Mika, "I love you," and she responded with, "I love you too." However, her brother caught her, leading her to quickly backpedal, "As a friend."

“Nag-Noche Buena akong malungkot,” Nash reminisced with a soft chuckle during their interview with Bernadette Sembrano. Meanwhile, Mika was scared because her family constantly reminded her that it was too early to develop romantic feelings, especially since they were only around 11 at the time, which is why she pushed him away. After all, what could 11-year-olds possibly understand about love?

The Boyfriend-Girlfriend Stage

But despite the decisions they made as children, their destiny remained unchanged. Nash and Mika eventually found their way back to each other. For Nash, it has always been her, even though many tough years and over a decade have passed.

Their six years together as a couple weren't easy. The secret to their enduring strength? They approached their relationship with maturity and with God at the center. In fact, they once went through a six-month breakup without anyone else knowing except for themselves—and God.

“Hind naman kami sa kanila nakipag-break. Kaming dalawa ‘yung nag-break, so why would we include other people?” Nash’s reason made sense. They didn't even confide in their families. As Mika puts it, “We dealt with it tailored lang po talaga. Even sa sister ko, hindi po ako nagpakita na umiiyak sa kanya. I was just saying, ‘Everything would be okay.’”

Above all, they knew that only God could provide the comfort they needed.

Though young at the time, they understood that silently praying about the relationship was the highest form of love. They kept it to themselves, as involving others might lead to taking sides, regardless of who was at fault, and they didn't want that to happen.

Breaking up but growing together – in faith

During the pandemic, Mika's dad passed away, and all of her health issues appeared. Because of her autoimmune disease, she was forced to take a hiatus from showbiz, which affected her finances. On top of that, the weight gain added to her insecurities.

During those tough times, Nash noticed that he hadn't seen her genuinely happy in a while. He began to think that their relationship was just adding to her burdens and emotional pain.

“I prayed our prayer, na parang, ‘Lord, for the first time in six years, it was the toughest for the both of us. You know I love her but I’ve been trying to fix our relationship by our own wisdom,'" shared Nash, whom we last saw on primetime via Kapamilya series “Huwag Kang Mangamba.” Then he told God, “Your will be done. I submit to You. Even na hindi kami, okay lang.”

From Mika's perspective, she felt that Nash might have been tired of trying his best to "save" the relationship, but things just weren't clicking, so she initiated the breakup, which lasted six months.

“Knowing Nash, he would never break up with me... Pero that time, may iba sa kanya. Hindi na niya ako pinilit na pag-usapan namin. Kasi ‘yun pala nagsa-start na ‘yung journey niya with God,” expressed she.

Things didn't seem to work until they turned to God for wisdom. If they hadn't let go and allowed God to work, they would have tried to fix the relationship on their own, even if something was missing.

In Nash's words, "Oftentimes, we’re relying on our own wisdom. Pero ang tanong, at that moment, ‘Yun ba ang best para sa amin?’” He decided to surrender the relationship to God’s hands. “Sabi ko, ‘Lord, I’ve been trying to rely on my own wisdom pero walang nangyayari for ilang years.’” He continued, “So, that was the first moment na sabi ko, ‘Ikaw na.’”

They both understood that even the breakup was part of God's all-knowing wisdom and bigger plans. It was painful, but they found joy in knowing that deep in their hearts, they were following His will.

There was a sense of peace because, for the first time, they realized that their worlds had revolved solely around each other, almost becoming each other's idols. So, in the midst of the breakup, they found both pain and peace.

They didn't speak for a month until Mika tried to reach out to reconcile, but Nash was already prepared for closure. However, one thing she noticed about him during that time was the glow on his face and his strong commitment to obeying God and surrendering.

While Nash was already on a rejuvenated path toward God, Mika was still in the early stages of her faithful journey. That's why she felt upset with God, feeling like everything was slipping away from her.
“Ang tigas ng ulo ko,” admitted Mika, tears welling up, and the way Nash gently held her hand during this part of the interview provided a quiet sense of comfort.

They went their separate ways, but destiny kept playing tricks on them by making them cross paths from time to time. Eventually, Mika became inspired by Nash's newfound peace with God and asked him for guidance on how to find that same peace. The one thing he told her was to let go of the love they had in order to make space for God in their hearts.

Nash took to heart a part of Proverbs 5 in the Bible, which says, "Keep to a path far from her, do not go near the door of her house." It was as if he heard God commanding him to stay away from Mika.

“No’ng nakita ko na she was at peace na, ayaw kong magkabalikan kami tapos mauna na naman ‘yung fleshly desires namin. At the end of it all, magiging destructive pa rin kami sa isa’t isa. So kung ano lang ‘yung sinabi ni Lord, sumunod lang ako,” he looked back.

Nash and Mika's love story epitomizes what a God-centered relationship looks and feels like—mature and serene, yet strong and genuine. It wasn't until they strengthened their relationship with the Lord that everything fell perfectly into place.

Their love for each other has always been real, but it was never complete without God in their hearts. When Nash renewed his Christian faith, he discovered an intimate connection with Mika that felt profound, unbreakable, and pure. It's a love that transcends worldly understanding but only their souls understand.

The confusion stage

Nash and Mika both embarked on renewed journeys in their Christian faith, finding separate paths to God's healing and love. They discovered peace even without each other.

However, tests and confusions seemed strategically placed in their lives. Sometimes, they would unexpectedly run into each other or be forced to interact, especially since their families remained in touch even during their breakup. Despite this, Nash and Mika remained friends.

The confusion intensified on Mika's birthday when the only person available for her invitation was Nash, but Nash got into an accident and underwent surgery on the same day.

“Is he meant for my life?” she asked God, puzzled.

“Lord, You wanted us to surrender each other. Pero bakit para pong binabalik Ninyo? I’m confused. Please guide my heart. Litong-lito na po ako,” she pleaded with God, asking Him, “Is he my husband? S’ya po ba ‘yung pangalan na sinulat mo katabi ko nu’ng pinanganak Mo kami?” And being completely honest with God, she said, "Baka pwedeng siya? Because You know how much I love him and how much he loves me. Baka naman pwede na siya? Pero kung hindi, kahit gaano ako nag-e-enjoy kasi nagkikita kami lately, okay lang po. Please remove him immediately.”

After asking God that question, she fell asleep and woke up to a message from Nash, quoting, "I was convicted by the Holy Spirit to tell this to you, 'Yes, ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.'" It was John 14:14 from the Bible. Mika kept a screenshot of this exact conversation.

At that moment, she knew it was God answering her question, "Is he my husband?" Clarity washed over her, “Then and there, alam ko siya na mapapangasawa ko.” Although Nash didn't know the kind of confirmation she had just received, Mika shared with her parents and Nash's grandmother not to worry because they would eventually end up together. She had faith that it would happen, as promised by God, who makes everything beautiful in His time.

The Proposal and Marriage

On Christmas morning, while doing his devotions, Nash stumbled upon a verse from the Bible about Mary's annunciation. It was a familiar story we all know.

Mary, the mother of Jesus, was supposedly engaged to Joseph when she became pregnant, causing a conflict. Joseph, being a righteous man, decided to quietly call off the engagement. However, an angel appeared to Joseph, instructing him not to be afraid and to take Mary as his wife.

The story resonated with Nash. It felt familiar. “Si Mika ba ‘to?” he asked God. “Natatakot ako kasi minsan sa sobrang tindi ng desires natin, ‘yung nakikita natin ini-interpret natin. So, sabi ko, ‘Lord, kung hindi ito, please tanggalin Mo sa akin. Ayokong sundin ang desire ko.'”

And then he asked Him again, leading him to a verse as if telling him that his marriage to Mika isn't because they want to be together but because God put them together to testify about Him.

He asked Him for the third time, to which God gave him Proverbs 5:18 as an answer: "Rejoice in the wife of your youth." And that "wife of his youth" was none other than Mika.

They weren't officially back together at that time, but Nash had found the answer. So, he proposed straightforwardly, without a ring, but only the Word of God in his hand.

They trusted in God and watched Him move. During their wedding, Nash could be seen nervously excited as he waited at the altar. There was no drama, just plain peace, clarity, and happiness because he had waited for this moment his entire life. Mika cried tears of joy, marrying at a time when she was emotionally and physically healed.

As they locked eyes during that short moment when Mika walked down the aisle, they knew they were both on the right path, the one the Lord had prepared for them. "Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and everything will be added," says their marriage verse.

The decision to have an intimate wedding was clear—they wanted to marry not for worldly enjoyment but to be united with God. “Gusto namin ma-feel ‘yung presence ni Lord, ‘yung love. We’re not naman against big weddings but I guess it’s just our personality,” explained Nash. Mika seconded, saying, “We wanted to be present, na instead of being preoccupied sa sobrang dami ng guest, we wanted to be present with God. Kasi kaming tatlo po ‘yun nando’n sa wedding.”

The newlyweds are planning to live a simple life in Nueva Ecija, where they are building their home and have their farm.

There's pure magic in falling in love with someone who shares the same level of faith conviction as you. It's having someone who keeps you grounded in your values and morals, making you the best version of yourself.

That’s what Nash and Mika’s God-centered relationship feels like.