I hit the Filipina jackpot

I'm from a middle-class family in Canada. I grew up with very little family and lived a mostly indoor, introverted life because of the cold. My parents commuted several hours to work every day, so I barely saw them except on weekends. I made my own breakfast, went to school, then came home and made my own dinner, because they didn't get back until after 6:30. It was really lonely outside school, and my mom was a bit odd, so I couldn't even bring friends over.

After university I moved to Toronto and broke up with my girlfriend at the time. I had a job paying about 65k CAD, which covered a decent apartment near work and food, but I could only save about $500 a month.

Then I got on Tinder and swiped on some girls I thought were cute. One of them happened to be Filipina. We met at a restaurant and the date was amazing. The conversation just flowed, and I could tell she was smart, funny and really cute. Back then I knew almost nothing about the Philippines; I couldn't even find it on a map. Honestly, I thought she was Thai. And her English was perfect, like someone who grew up here.

We went on more dates and I fell completely in love. She had everything I wanted, but since she was the only one in her family in Canada, I was a little wary and kept some walls up. Over time, though, I saw how much she cared about me and how loving and kind-hearted she was, on top of everything else, and I ended up proposing.

At the time I was making about 80k CAD and she was making about 50k CAD. I didn't think she had much money, but together we earned enough to build a decent life in Canada. I always knew her family had a business in the Philippines, but I didn't think much of it. Turns out the business is actually pretty big, and now we have the option to live in the Philippines without working, thanks to dividends and other income.

I went from commuting four hours a day on the GO Train through depressingly cold, dark days every year and struggling with depression, to moving to Toronto and barely scraping by, to having a beautiful, loving wife, moving somewhere warm and not having to work unless I want to. Now we're moving to the Philippines to raise our kids, and we'll even have a yaya (nanny). (I've already been several times.)

I'm so excited. I love the Philippines, I love the people, I love the weather, and I love how it feels like a community, more human, if you like. In Canada I only see a handful of friends and family once in a while because everyone's busy with their own lives. In the Philippines I'm surrounded by people all the time. Family and friends are always coming and going, there are parties all the time, drinking, and because it's affordable we're constantly going out to restaurants and places. So much to do and so many people to see; at first I was a bit overwhelmed, but now I love it.

Basically, I hit the jackpot, guys. I hope you find yours.