For some BYUHawaii students, distance has become part of their love stories. They said trusting God, staying committed and communicating openly sustains their relationships across thousands of miles.

Eric Wong, a senior in communication, media and culture from Hong Kong, said the majority of his three-year relationship has been long-distance. He said he met his girlfriend during New Student Onboarding. After one semester, he said she left to pursue her music career in Los Angeles.

Before she left, Wong said they discussed their worries and hesitations about entering a long-distance relationship. After praying and talking it through, they decided to try. He added that trusting Gods plan played a central role in their decision.

From the beginning, Wong said they realized strong communication would be essential. You need to be willing to open your mouth and share with your partner, then your partner will understand, he said. Without physical closeness, they learned to rely on deeper conversation. Because of the distance, we put in way more effort to learn and get to know each other through our conversations. We cannot do physical closeness, so we need to share our hearts [instead], he said.

Wong said his faith shapes how he loves. I love using Jesus Christ as an example and how He understands each of us individually, he explained. Additionally, trying to look from his girlfriends perspective has helped him grow, especially learning to listen instead of immediately trying to fix problems.

Although Wong sometimes wishes he could give her a simple hug instead of looking at a screen, he said the challenge has strengthened their relationship. In the future, no matter what challenges come up, we will believe we can do it because we have been through something hard already, he remarked.

Aljassier Zaballa, a junior majoring in accounting from the Philippines, said he has been in a long-distance relationship with his girlfriend for nearly four years. He said three of those years have been spent apart.

Zaballa said transitioning into a long distance was difficult at first. He said losing physical proximity was hard, especially after being able to see other often before. Still, he said commitment makes the distance feel manageable.

Zaballa said no one taught him how to navigate a long-distance relationship, but over time he learned what works. I approach long-distance relationships in a natural way, he said. Because I love her, I know she is not going to doubt me or think negatively, he added.

Zaballa said digital presence plays a major role in maintaining their connection. We have movie dates, eat together over video call and talk every day, he said. Sometimes calling his girlfriend and not having a specific topic to talk about is okay, Zaballa said. He said it is nice and it makes him feel better to stay on the video call while they do their own things. There is a big difference between calling and video calling. Seeing her face makes it more real, he said.

While he wishes his relationship was not long distance, Zaballa said he sees more opportunities for himself in Hawaii now. What makes it worth it is thinking about the future, he said. Having a family, having peace together. We always talk about our future, and when I imagine that, I feel like the distance will be all worth it in the end.

Claire Jake Quinco, a sophomore in accounting from the Philippines, said her long-distance relationship with her boyfriend started only eight days before she left for BYUHawaii. She said she was hesitant about getting into a long-distance relationship right before moving away, but her boyfriend suggested they fast about the decision. Thats something that I was looking for after I served my mission, Quinco said. I wanted someone who I could study the scriptures with, she continued.

With an 18-hour time difference between the Philippines and Hawaii, Quinco said their schedules rarely align. She said when she is going to sleep, he is still awake and when she wakes up, he is just finishing his day. Still, Quinco said they try to call when possible, whether that is praying together in the morning, reading scriptures or calling during breaks. Its like coexisting together. I do what I have to do and he does what he has to do, she said.

Watching General Conference talks together helps nourish their relationship, said Quinco. Our relationship started on a spiritual foundation, so that is how we also try to keep it nourished, she said. For holidays and special occasions, Quinco said her boyfriend finds creative ways to show up despite the distance. He coordinates with her roommate or his friends at BYUH to deliver flowers or gifts, she explained.

Quinco said being far away from home can feel overwhelming at times. It feels like you dont have the right to be tired because you know everyone is tired, she said. During those times, Quinco said she turns to her boyfriend. All of my yaps and my rants, I always debrief with him, she continued.

Quinco said being in a long-distance relationship taught her that she can commit, even without physical proximity.

She said what makes it all worth it is knowing she has someone constant in her life, even across the world. No matter what happens, I will always have someone to come back to, she continued.

Understanding love languages becomes much easier when couples communicate with honesty, patience, love and, most importantly, the courage to express what truly troubles them, said Dean Ralph and Angela Kate Murcillos. A blog from

explains, We often feel that we are being very clear because we communicate in ways that make sense to us. Yet, the blog notes, people often forget that our communication is shaped by our upbringing, personal experiences and unique personality traits.

Dean Ralph Murcillos, a senior from Bacolod, Philippines majoring in business management, said that communication in relationships requires courage, patience and honesty. We all come from different backgrounds and family cultures, which create habits and ways of interacting that are completely unique to each of us, he said. He recalled a time when he and his wife, Kate, sat down to discuss their love languages and expectations to resolve misunderstandings. It took a while before we really got the hang of it, he said. Its like planting a treeit doesnt grow instantly. It takes time.

Dean Ralph Murcillos said being patient in relationships means allowing your partner to grow with you. Growth does not happen instantly especially when you are growing together, but this way youll get to know your partner more, he added. He also said involving the Savior Jesus Christ in relationships is important. The Savior teaches us how we should communicate and manage our expectations. When you center Him in your relationships, I know it will work out, he continued.

Dean Ralph Murcillos said they learned how to communicate and express their affection while working through their differences by talking about their differences openly. Speaking out and talking about the things they need to improve on helped them become better partners, he continued.

Angela Kate Murcillos, a senior from Cebu, Philippines majoring in biology, said that when couples face conflicts or misunderstandings, they should avoid sharing them with friends. It will only add fuel to the flame. Your friends have their own experiences, and they are not the same as yours, she explained. For married couples, she noted, partners are together almost all the time and know each other best. Respect your friends, but its better to address the issue with your partner. You can listen to your friends, but dont let them take over you or your relationship, she added.

Angela Kate Murcillos also emphasized that people should not jump to conclusions about love languages or the ways love is given and received. We each have different love languages, which are simply the ways we show affection and communicate it, she said. Sometimes we expect to receive the love language we give. It doesnt work that way. She encouraged couples to learn to accept and appreciate the love their partners express in their own ways.

Dean Ralph Murcillos said that one of Angela Kates love languages is keeping their home organized and clean. At first, I thought she was doing it simply because thats who she is, but I realized its her way of showing loveshe wants me to come home to a clean and tidy space after a tiring day, he said. Understanding the intention behind Kates everyday expressions of care made him feel deeply loved.

Angela Kate Murcillos, in turn, said that Deans love language is listening with intent. Whenever I share something with him, he truly absorbs it, she explained. When I talk about my problems, he doesnt jump to conclusions. Even when they were dating, Dean said that paying close attention and listening intently was his way of expressing love. At first, Kate struggled to reciprocate. When I shared something I was excited about, she listened, but afterward, she would shift the conversation to a different topic, he recalled. Over time, they worked through it by communicating openly. Change doesnt happen instantly. But by clearly expressing my feelings, we were able to gradually improve, he said. Angela Kate Murcillos also said couples should learn to be humble.

She also said that it is important to see partners the way the Lord sees them. She said as humans people tend to see the flaws and mistakes easier. But if we look at them the same way the Lord does, its easier to work things out, she shared.

 Some love languages often go unnoticed because we do and show it all the time, said Angela Kate Murcillos. We get so used to receiving the action that we feel secure thinking that because your partner is doing it, then you dont have to, she said. She said in their relationship, Dean is more patient. When we have disagreements, he would always coax me, but I am prideful and sometimes I feel like I dont need to do what he does, she said.

Through communicating their feelings, Angela Kate Murcillos said she learned how it hurt Dean and how she should reciprocate his actions, too. The truth is, as companions, as husband and wife, you are the helpmeet for each other and should be equal in all things, she added.

Dean Ralph Murcillos also said President Russell M. Nelson, former president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints taught and emphasized expressing gratitude. He said the less we express gratitude about the small things, the less we see their value. It diminishes when we dont appreciate the efforts of our loved ones. The antidote is to express gratitude, say thank you and you will see more unspoken expressions of their love for you, he continued.

Reels and posts on social media can negatively affect a relationship, the couple said. Angela Kate Murcillos said seeing posts about what a man should be sometimes makes her evaluate Dean. But I shouldnt be doing that. We have to understand that everyone has weaknesses, and we need to learn to love our partners regardless of them, she said. She added that while the media is full of opinions, partners should know better. You know yourself and you know your partnerhis characteristics and attitudes. Whatever he or she is lacking, communicate it with them, she said.

Dean Ralph Murcillos said social media often shows only the perfect side of life. We dont usually see the imperfections, and thats why were quick to compare our circumstances, he said. People try to match the unrealistic standards they see online, and as humans, we naturally seek perfection, he added.

Most employed BYUHawaii students work up to 19 hours a week. Students often form bonds with the people they spend the most time with. For the canoe pushers at the Polynesian Cultural Center (PCC), some said those bonds have developed into a sense of family that exists both at and outside work.

Darryl Agung, a freshman in political science from Indonesia, said he has been a canoe pusher at the PCC since arriving at BYUHawaii last April. He said while the job is physically demanding, with workers spending up to five to six hours a day in the sun, the brotherhood amongst his coworkers makes the job worthwhile. At work, he said there is a sense of family between him and his coworkers. With about 24 workers, he said his coworkers have the opportunity to know each other well and become friends.

Agung said before each shift begins at work, all of the canoe pushers gather and have a prayer meeting. In this meeting, someone shares a spiritual thought and an employee highlight. We are all united before the day starts, he said.

At the end of each day, Agung said, the group gathers again to debrief what happened that day. He continued, saying he was grateful because, like any family, there can occasionally be clashes, but with daily debriefs everything gets sorted out. He added, At the end of the day, everyones my favorite.

Although brotherhood is a commonly used term to describe the canoe pushers, Zion Tevaga, a junior in business management from New York, said the sense of family extends to female canoe pushers as well. He added, There's the girls there who are just the same. We're all just tight with them. And when I think of a family, where there's brothers and sisters, I think we're all just homies. Agung concurred and said he considers his coworkers to be like his brothers and sisters.

Tevaga said he enjoys going to work each day because it feels like a second home to him. It's nice to know that I'm going to work at canoes because of that family vibe. It doesn't feel like it. Oh, I have to go to work today, he said.

 Agung said the closeness among the canoe pushers is rooted in mutual support rather than competition. The lack of competition, Agung said, spills over outside of work. If one canoe pusher is struggling or sick, they reach out to one another. He added that maintaining high integrity and leading by example helps everyone feel welcomed.

Agung added from being a supervisor with the canoe pushers he always tries to tell his coworkers to not be afraid to ask for help. If you need us, well try to come whenever we can, as soon as we can, he said.

Jamerus Tai Hook, a sophomore majoring in health and human science from Laie, said the camaraderie among the canoe pushers is well known in the community. Growing up you always hear about the canoe boys, Tai Hook said. As soon as I started working here, I could already feel the camaraderie and connection with everyone, even though I didnt know anyone yet. He added that once he got to know his coworkers and spent more time with them, it enhanced that feeling more. He said even knowing someone that used to be a canoe pusher, there is an instant connection to them.

Tai Hook said when new hires start, he initially tries to build a relationship with them based on trust because he wants them to feel comfortable in the workplace. Tai Hook said he lives by a statement that prevails when he is at work too, No one cares how much you know until they know how much you care. When new hires start the job, he said he tries to get to know them first rather than bossing them around. He aims to form a true friendship with them first before knowing them at work.

Tevaga said that the environment encourages people to be themselves. If new hires see that were all ourselves with each other, it makes them feel safe to open up too, he said.

For many canoe pushers, the relationships built at work extend beyond work hours. Tai Hook said, Im doing a culture night section mainly because one of the canoe boys is leading the Tuvalu section, and I thought Id support him. Tevaga and Tai Hook said for the Super Bowl about 10 of the canoe pushers all came together to hangout and watch the game.

Tevaga said even with former coworkers, they remain close with each other. Its not just about the friendship, he said. The friendships will last longer than the job.

He added being friends with his coworkers has improved his job performance. If everyone's in a happier mood and wants to be around each other, overall moods are going to be boosted up, which is going to make you want to work harder, and will make everything else better.

Home is no longer defined by walls or an address, according to Dante and Talia Falemalu. They said the faith-centered homes they were raised in continue to shape the way they build their own family, grounded in service, presence and intentional love. Dante Falemalu from Laie said becoming a husband and father reshaped his understanding of family, teaching him that home is wherever his wife and son are.

Talia Falemalu, a senior from Laie majoring in elementary education, said she grew up in a gospel-centered home that shaped not only her upbringing but her identity. I am so grateful to my parents for ensuring the Gospel was the heartbeat of our home, she said. Because I understand Gods unconditional love and His plan for me, I view my roles as a wife and mother as a sacred calling. She said that foundation motivates her to lead with grace and mirror Gods selfless love in her own family.

Annie-Leah Tagatauli, Talia Falemalus mother, shared, We wanted to make sure we raised our children with the Gospel as our foundation. Tagatauli said faith shaped the way she and her husband parented and guided their desire to create a home centered on love, kindness and service. My hope is for our daughter to continue to care for others and uplift those around her by serving others and being a good neighbor to our community, she added. Tagatauli said she hopes her daughter will be more open with her own children as she becomes a mother. She emphasized the importance of honest communication and understanding within families, noting that being more open can strengthen relationships and help children feel supported.

Tagatauli continued, We have always tried to be present in everything Talia chose to do such as cooking and baking together, reading at bedtime and attending school activities. It played the biggest role in shaping Talias upbringing. She expressed her hope for the small traditional practices from those times to be continued in her daughters family today. Dante Falemalu shared faith-reinforced values are already instilled in his family.

Both Talia and Dante Falemalu highlighted the power of presence and service as expressions of love. Talia Falemalu said she reflects on the quiet, consistent love she received from her parents through acts of service and shared experiences. My parents poured their hearts into acts of service and, of course, incredible foodthat was their primary love language, and its a beautiful heritage I carry with me, she shared. She said she also incorporates both action and words into her parenting. I want identity to be built on the spoken truth of how much my son is cherished."

Dante Falemalu echoed the importance of showing up. He shared that his mom, as a single mother, made sure she was at every single sporting event, parent meeting and achievement such as award ceremonies and graduations. From my high school graduation to the small everyday moments, my mom didnt just provide for me; she was truly there for me, he said. He credits that example of showing up for shaping his approach to fatherhood. It can be one of the greatest gifts you can give a child. Im committed to being that constant, reliable presence for my son and the future children we'll have, he explained.

Talia Falemalu said she is intentional about blending inherited traditions with new approaches. She said she continues family practices like cooking and shared adventures but adds emotional openness and communication to strengthen the family bond. Im focusing more on grace-based discipline and making sure my son understands the why behind things, she said. She said she hopes these adjustments allow her son to thrive emotionally while maintaining the core values she inherited.

Dante Falemalu said he sees his role in creating a family culture as equally important. He described home not as a physical place but as the people who make it meaningful. He shared, Before I had my own family, home was just a place I lived. But being a husband and father changed everything." Now, he said, home is wherever his wife and son are.

Talia and Dante Falemalu both shared the influence of learning and understanding the true meaning of love from their loved ones. Talia Falemalu said she admires her husbands gentle, consistent leadership. I truly hope my son learns how to love by watching his dad. He is patient, hard-working and kind, and he leads our family with so much love, she said.

Dante Falemalu shared he was inspired by his older brothers example in faith and family life. Watching him be a great husband, a devoted father and a faithful priesthood holder gave me a clear vision for my own life, he said. It influenced me to want that same foundation for my marriage and to be the kind of father who leads his family with that same strength and faith."

The Falemalus said building a life together has reshaped what home means for them. Reflecting on their different backgrounds, Talia Falemalu said they are intentional about blending the best parts of both their upbringings.

On a campus where roommates are often assigned randomly, three BYUHawaii students shared a story that shows love doesnt require blood ties. It takes patience, clear boundaries and the daily choice to stay committedeven when walking away would be easier, they said.

Alema Alesana, a sophomore majoring in biology from Samoa, said he and his roommate set rules for their shared space from the start. Setting ground rules early, even as friends, helped us maintain individuality and a sense of personal security, he said.

Ioselani Ioselani, a sophomore from Samoa double majoring in political science and Pacific Island studies, described himself as reserved and private. I like to stay in my own lane. I value my space and my peace, he said. He prefers a small circle and quietly handles responsibilities. In contrast, he described Alesana as more open and socialsomeone comfortable interacting with others and asking for help. That difference, Ioselani said, balanced their living situation because they learned to respect each others personalities.

Still, Alesana admitted it wasnt always smooth sailing. Living together required adjustments, especially when small frustrations came up. Especially with food, he said, acknowledging that sharing space naturally brings disagreements.

One minor misunderstanding tested their communication early on, said Ioselani. He said he often asked Alesana, who works at the Polynesian Cultural Centers kitchen, to bring home extra food. When Alesana returned empty-handed, it could have sparked tension, he said. At first, it was a little disappointing, Ioselani said. But instead of letting it become an issue, he said Alesana offered to cook for both of them which shifted the dynamic. It showed me that misunderstandings dont have to turn into conflicts, Ioselani shared.

Alesana said transparency is key in shared living spaces. Be transparent with each other, set your ground rules from the beginning and resolve issues by talking with each other and not about each other to others, he said. He compared college roommates to missionary companionsassigned, not chosenbut said the responsibility remains the same: make it work. At the end of the day, you have to preserve yourself, he added.

Ioselani said trust formed gradually through late-night conversations about school, family and personal pressures. There wasnt one big dramatic conversation, he said. It was small conversations over time." As they opened up about responsibilities they carried quietly, Ioselani said he began seeing Alesana not just as a roommate, but as a brother. I grew up without really experiencing what its like to have a brother, he expressed, sharing that his own brother passed away when he was three years old. Over time, Ioselani said Alesana filled that gap and became like family.

Daniel Mulipola, a freshman from American Samoa studying accounting, said the unit felt quiet and awkward at the beginning of the semester. Everyone was still feeling each other out, he said. As weeks passed, he said he witnessed their friendship strengthen. The atmosphere shifted from strangers sharing space to roommates joking, supporting each other and creating a lighter environment, he shared.You could see them hanging out more, supporting each other and just being more open, he said.

Mulipola said a shared living space feels like home when there is respect and good communication. Simple actscleaning up, being mindful of noise and checking inmake the environment warmer, he added. Working through small tensions is just part of living with other people. When you talk things out instead of letting them build up, it makes living together way easier, he shared.

For Ioselani, living together reshaped his understanding of home entirely. I used to think home was just a place where you sleep and keep your things, he said.

For BYUHawaii students who have defied odds to pursue dreams thousands of miles away from their families, home is no longer a fixed address. They said home travels with them wherever they go in the form of tangible objects they hold most dearly. For Amartuvshin Mendsaikhan and Mitzi Chou, home becomes photographs tucked into notebooks, a mothers engagement ring or even a plush Pikachu wearing an aloha shirt. They said home will never be erased by distance so long as they can hold onto these keepsakes.

For Amartuvshin Amara Mendsaikhan, a freshman in TESOL from Mongolia, home always begins with her family. She described being with her family as a warm feeling that fills you with love. This emotion, according to her, extends beyond geography. Despite being vast distances away from Mongolia and her childhood home, she said she carries that love and warmth with her through printed photographs of her family. These photos, as she described, are not simply recent snapshots but mementos from different stages of their lives, from her childhood to the present.

I usually collect pictures and things of memories, Mendsaikhan shared. Its like a personal hobby. I can see how its changed over the years, from my younger time until now. It helps me remember important moments.

For Mendsaikhan, although coming to BYUHawaii brought forth opportunities to connect with people across different cultures, the decision came with significant challenges. She said holidays and special occasions in particular intensify her longing for her physical home. Were all trying to make this place feel like home, she said. But sometimes, especially during special days, we miss our home very much.

Mendsaikhan said she often finds herself leafing through these photographs during difficult seasons. Whenever I feel down, she said, I turn to those memories to find motivation. Especially during holidays, I just miss that feeling of being with them. These little pictures, she said, are things she reaches out to as emotional anchors.

Over time, however, Mendsaikhan said her understanding of home has also transformed. Before going to college, she shared her experience that first required her to live away from home: serving a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Since I started my mission and then came here, I learned how it is to stay without my family, she said.

Mendsaikhan also shared that in her six months of being at BYUHawaii, many new things have joined her special collection of keepsakes. Standing out among these objects, she said, are her notebooks. She said she has been regularly keeping journals filled with impressions from class lectures, teachings from devotionals and personal reflections. I try to write down what stood out to me, she said, What professors say, what speakers say, what I learn about myself.

Mendsaikhan said she would never throw these writings away. They hold memories, my feelings and experiences, she said. She expressed that losing these thingsphotographs and journals alikewould feel like losing pieces of herself. People forget a lot of things when we experience different challenges, she said. When I look back at those pictures or journals, I remember who I was, what challenges I had, what happy moments I spent. It helps me understand who I am and where Im going.

Meanwhile, across campus, Chou, a senior in music from the Philippines, said home is also tucked into one of the objects she brought with her as she traveled to BYUHawaii. For her, its in a smaller but equally significant form.

Chou shared she has been in Hawaii for four years. The decision to embark on this journey, she said, was something spiritual. I wanted to come after my mission, she said. Then something happened that made me not want to. Then something happened again that made me want to. Ultimately, I think this was an answered prayer.

Chou said in her first two years of being here, homesickness didnt really consume her. She shared it was only recently when academic responsibilities started building up that homesickness surfaced more intensely. I feel like Im running toward my goals, she said. But then I realized my family is far away from me. Thats when I started to feel homesick.

To cope, Chou said she turns to a keepsake she received from her mother: an engagement ring. She said it was something her mother entrusted her with before she left for Hawaii. I dont usually wear it because its precious to me, she said. But it reminds me of her love and the sacrifices she made for me and my siblings.

Although Chou described herself as not emotionally close with her parents in a conventional sense, she said her mother remains her source of comfort, and that is reflected by the attachment she has to the engagement ring. The sentimental value in that ring is higher than the price it was bought for, she said. If I lose it, I will cry. I would be so sad. And when asked what object she would bring with her wherever she went, her answer was immediate: The ring. I would put it in my hand.