It was on July 23, 2014, when actress Coleen Garcia and singer-host Billy Crawford officially became a couple.
Nine years later, including five years as a married couple, Coleen lovingly put into words her appreciation of Billy and their relationship.
Posting on Instagram on Sunday, July 23, 2023, Coleen wrote, "9 years of saying 'I love you, too.' I can’t even begin to put it all into words.
"You know how I feel, you know my heart, and you know how grateful I am for you."
Coleen and Billy met and fell in love while working as co-hosts in ABS-CBN's noontime program, It's Showtime.
Read: Billy Crawford, natutuwa sa pagpasok ng 'It's Showtime' sa GTV
ASSURING PARTNER
Coleen commended Billy for constantly making her feel loved and appreciated.
Said Coleen, "You give me the kind of love that truly heals and nurtures growth, and I hope we continue to bring out the best in each other.
"I love you (and miss you) sooo so much."
Billy is currently in France for some shows. He performed at the La Kermesse Festival in Nice and La Seyne Sur Mer.
Coleen continued, "I just want to honor you now for being the partner I never even knew how to pray for.
"You’re one of the constant things that remind me that God’s design for my life is far better than what I could ever imagine for myself.
"Thank you for being everything I have ever needed—and will ever need—in a partner."
THE WEDDING ALMOST DIDN'T HAPPEN
Coleen's post was accompanied by a photo of them kissing at their beach wedding on April 20, 2018, at Balesin Island Club in Polilio, Quezon.
Read: Luxurious celebration: the cost of a Balesin wedding
Recently, Coleen shared experiencing cold feet leading to the days of their wedding.
“We almost called off the wedding at that time. I didn’t know if I wanted to push through with it or not," said Coleen at the digital press conference promoting the Viva One mini-series, Kung Hindi Lang Tayo Sumuko.
Coleen added, "Sobrang magulo ang utak ko noon. But we got through the wedding, hindi kami sumuko, but almost. Malapit na.
"I think that was also the time pumasok lahat ng challenges.
"You ask yourself, ‘Ano ba ‘tong papasukan ko? Tama ba ‘tong decision that we’re making?’ Doon pumasok lahat ng duda kapag naging reality na siya."
Read: Coleen Garcia, muntik nang sumuko sa kasal nila ni Billy Crawford
In July 2022, Billy confessed to dealing with alcohol addiction in his bachelor days.
He made the admission during a vlog interview with broadcast journalist Karen Davila.
Read: Billy Crawford recalls battle with alcoholism: “I was going to Showtime drunk.”
Billy's alcoholism was getting out of hand to the point that he was getting into fights in public places.
Billy's recollection matched Coleen's recent admission about them having doubts about their relationship and whether they should take the next step.
“When we tied the knot, kasi muntik naman talaga hindi matuloy yung wedding namin because we’re going through a lot that time," recalled Billy.
“Nung natuloy, I think that’s when God made a big visual premonition for me.
“Because, like I saw a happy family, I saw my dad and my mom get here which I prayed so hard for. And then that’s when I said, ‘Okay, I surrender.’
“Ako, wala na ako magagawa. It’s like you can’t force what God is doing upon us.
“We just have to accept it and we have to acknowledge that his presence is there and we have that faith that we call.”
Billy acknowledged Coleen's positive influence on his life, with their marriage helping him to successfully kick out his alcohol addiction.
“I guess the difference between Coleen kasi was she was never forceful. Parang ang reverse psychology ng ginawa nito. Parang binaliktad na lang, ‘You do whatever you want,’ parang ganun," Billy told Karen.
“Parang ako na yung, ‘I’m too tired. Ayaw ko nang uminom.’
"I hate the feeling, hangover feeling after — the headaches, the restlessness, the fatigue, etc., etc. Nakakaapekto sa trabaho.”
Today, Billy and Coleen are very much married and doting parents to their son, Amari, who is currently two years old.