We are Raymond and Mari — and like many couples, our story is beautifully imperfect. We were both born in the Philippines and have called California home for the past 30 years. Together we've built careers, raised a family, made lifelong friendships, and recently celebrated 30 years of marriage.

Our faith has always been the anchor of our relationship. But like any long marriage, we've had seasons of deep connection and seasons of quiet drift. There were times when the demands of life — work, parenting, purpose — made it easy to prioritize everything except each other.

It was in one of those seasons that we discovered the wisdom of Philippians 4:8 in a new way. The call to think on what is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, and praiseworthy wasn't just a scripture verse — it became a framework for how we wanted to love each other.

What if we could apply each of these virtues, one by one, to our marriage? What if we slowed down long enough to ask: Am I being true with my partner? Am I thinking noble thoughts about them? Am I choosing to see what is lovely?

Seven Levels of Love was born out of our own ongoing journey. It's not a book written by perfection — it's a journal born from persistence. From choosing each other again and again, even on the hard days.

We wrote it for every couple who wants more than a comfortable routine. For those who believe that marriage can keep growing deeper, richer, and more intentional — year after year.