How We Met

It was more than 9 years ago when I first met Si Hui during my first math class in Anderson Junior College. What struck me most was her most unique fringe then, and her cute, shy smile. What got me interacting with her most though, was my reluctance to complete my own math homework. Seeing how conscientious Si Hui was, I told myself, I got to get my hands on her… and her homework.

So, I began chatting with her via MSN every day, convincing her to hand over her precious homework to me, so that I may enjoy the fruits of her labor. Gradually though, we chat about things other than homework, and before I know it, I was in love.

Looking for opportunities to ask her out, I would always come up excuses such as asking her to accompany me and help me decide which design or model to buy whenever I need something. First, it was a pencil box. Then, I asked her to accompany me to buy shoes. The next week, a wallet. And when I couldn’t think of anything else, I threw my water bottle away and ask her to accompany me to get a new one.

We got together on 2nd March 2005. We were at Changi Airport that day, not because either of us were flying but because I told her to accompany me to Changi Airport as I have forgotten how the airport look like. (Getting lazy with inventing excuses to ask her out, I was.) When she initially rejected my confession, I choked on water so bad that she felt guilty and decided to give me a chance. (Thanks to my brand new water bottle.)

Things went well for us, and in the naivety of our early years, we started contemplating the possibility of marriage, and if so, when would be the best time to do it.

“So, 2 years of JC. 2 Years of SAF. 4 Years of University. Then save up for 2 years.”
“I will make you my wife on our 10th Anniverary, on 2nd March 2015.”

We nodded, and promptly shove the promise to the back of our minds. 10 years is a long time. We don’t even know if we will be together then. When we completed JC, things began looking uncertain. I would soon be enlisting for National Service, while Si Hui would be pursuing a degree in (you guessed it) Applied Mathethics in NUS. My interest in business and IT also meant that I have enrolled in SMU, doing a degree in Information Systems Management. Our paths are diverging. Can we even keep to our promise?

While most army buddies’ girlfriends picked this as the best time to dump and flee, Si Hui was different. Every weekend, she would endure a nearly 2 hour’s journey from Serangoon to Boon Lay just to meet me when I book out. I still distinctly remember the first time I saw her during my first book out after 2 weeks of confinement – it felt as if I was staring at an angel sent from heaven. Despite her endless torrent of assignments and homework, she would dedicate one whole day of her precious weekend to accompany me every week. I was touched beyond words by her gestures. Her grades suffered as a result though, and for that I am always in her debt. Si Hui is selfless beyond words.

I tried to be the best NSF boyfriend I possibly can too, working hard for nights out and time offs so that I may pay her a surprise visits after her lessons or exams. I even helped her with some of her assignments this time round.

In 2 years, we emerged victorious where countless others have failed. After NS, we are still together and madly in love with each other. I told myself, this girl is a keeper. She’s going to be my wife. No matter what.

Fast forward to Feb 2014. Just last week, we’ve booked our wedding banquet for 1st March 2015, the eve of our 10th Anniversary as a celebration of our love, a love so true and deep that we are still madly in love with each other even after nearly a decade.