Chapter 2 - The Announcements

The first few people that I told immediately after his proposal (of coz except the Launnie crowd) were Grace Rompies, Shimei Yang and Jojo Tan.

Grace is my shepherd who builds me up in my life and guides me in growing to become a more faithful Christ-follower. She plays a big part in my life and is always the one whom I like to share my ups and downs with. She has just newly married so I know that she can identify with my feeling and sure enough she was surprised yet joyful for me.

Very quickly I text to tell my best friend in Brisbane - Shimei too. She is whom I share everything with - that kinda friend whom you don't need to be afraid of when you share. She just seems to be able to accept anything and everything from a friend and is a good listener. What makes me feel most comfortable is her openness in sharing too. She is also my dinner mate - we always go out for dinner so we can chat the whole night away (though we always end up very tired and thirsty). I always wonder how could she hold so much things in her mind (things that happened in few weeks) to throw them all out during our dinner. She is too shocked and never thought that it would be so soon.

The 3rd person whom I told is my leader, Jojo. She is whom I look up to and respect the most in my vibrant, warm-and-fuzzy, happy family in Christ - NG 3. He and I decided to be accountable to our leader and let her know about it. When I called her, and he grabbed my phone to speak to her, the first thing he said was: 'Hi Jojo, I am now with Mrs Sim-to-be'. It was so sweet. Surely a voice that is filled with excitement, shock and joy came out from the other end. I joked and asked if she 'permitted' our marriage as deep in my mind I felt that I am still so young, look so young and not seem to be ready, I just need some affirmation and some 'yes'. Jojo said 'of coz'! She then recommended us to give Ps Lai Ling a call so we can arrange for a pre-marital counsel class soon before making it public at church.

Very soon the whole world seems to have known about it and I've received many text of congratulations, including Brisbane and Launnie. What a joy to spread....

Chapter 1 - The Proposal

Wedding is every girl's dream.

However, for myself, I've never thought about what my dream wedding would be. I recalled having such a conversation with my friend before and I even admired her for being able to just talk about it fluently. I indeed never thought about it and never have time for it. It is not that I do not like wedding or getting married but I just always think that the idea should come as a flow when it is the time....

...............................Until the 15th of August, 2008...........................


He. a guy whom was brought to me by the grace of God. a guy who I met in Launceston, Tasmania. a guy who I has been with for the past 3 years. a guy who chooses to love me for who I am at all times. a guy who loves me so much that he made the decision and the move to form a marriage with me. a guy whom now I called fiance.

Today is a cozzy day. It is the 5th day of my travel in Launceston, Tasmania. This was my 1st visit since I last left for Brisbane back in January 2007. I enjoyed spending time relaxingly with my old friends around me in Launceston very much, especially with YC, Ming Ming, Joanne, Sia and Michael. As normal today we planned to shop around in the city. It was strange that I received a text message from Michael inviting me to go for an expensive lunch at Stillwater Restaurant with a mystery friend who wanted to give me this special treat. The day started with a lot of curiosity in my heart. Yet thinking not to put off the plan and favour of others, I agreed to go, without any other company as instructed by Michael. Joanne was kind enough to send me there. On the way we kept guessing who that special friend would be - as according to Michael he/she is not familiar with anyone else. Feeling a bit funny, an idea flow to my mind but soon I thought, nah, it's impossible. He is in Brisbane, and even sent me a text in the early morning telling me that it was raining back there and too bad that he couldn't go for a site visit. He even reminded me to becareful and he is fine no matter whom I am going to meet.

As soon as I arrived at Stillwater, my heart pumps very strongly. As I entered the restaurant and notified a waitress about the table-booking name, Michael, she immediately recognised me and with great smile on her face. It was weird. She got me to a table near the window. As soon as I sat down, I smiled from the bottom of my heart, as I saw a black box with a note on the top goes, 'To Leann (Please open)'. It is clearly his materpiece. The album titled Memories. The photos, the touching words and our story in Tasmania took my breadth away. I was deeply touched and in tears. Half-way through it, my favourite love song was in the air - L-O-V-E by Natalie Cole. As I turned back, he was standing at my back with a bunch of roses and gosh!!! TIFFANY!! my favourite brand! Though in tears, I joked with him that if he has just bought a Tiffany box for a random ring. As he sat and I continued reading the nicely done album, he pulled out 2 letters that really impressed me and affirmed me of his heart. The 1st letter was a congratulation letter from his parents telling me how much they love me and happy about our marriage. I love them very much and indeed their affirmation and pearl of wisdom for a marriage blew me away. The 2nd letter was what made me cry even more - an ask-for-permission letter from him to my mum for my hand for marriage (which was passed to my sister during her visit in July 2008 without my knowledge) and a joyful and loving response from mum about this decision of our lives. As I finally flipped through to the last page of the album, he slowly took out an envelope with the last photo in it - WILL YOU MARRY ME? are the printing. With even more tears in my eyes, he quickly came to my side with the ring. I naughtily said with my 2 fingers pointing at each other: 'yee...how come no kneeling down one?' haha. He then knelt down and without even my response the ring is already on my finger. Haha...what a shy guy.

The waitress congratulated us while pouring us with a glass of celebration champagne. We had a very enjoyable lunch reflecting our journey together, taking photos of one another, the roses, the ring, the food - with the intention of making these moments last. We walked down the street hand in hand, knowing that we are already on a journey of 2-become-1. The day does not stop there as soon we met up our friends who set me up for the proposal. Words of thankfulness and teasing went on and on implying how 'innocent' I was being the last to know among all of them. Nevertheless, it is the 1st time I thought it was so sweet to be a fool of love.

At night, our dear Launnie friends specially organised an engagement party for us. Little did I know that during the couple-of-hour-lunch, they were in the city shopping for decorative stuff for us and even decorated Theresa & Peter's Dynasty Restaurant beautifully and sweetly for us. What an honour to have such dear friends who are willing to go that extra mile for our celebration. That night was the sweetest night ever. I noted my face was radiant on that night. It must be the magic of love and the grace of God. We had a very sumptutous dinner with abalone, scallop, prawns and lobsters. Besides taking photos endlessly and chit-chatting around, Peter and Theresa shared with us some pearl of wisdom for marriage. He and I gave speeches to express our thankfulness to God and the brothers and sisters around us for their blessings. As always, I was in tears again. I just can't help thanking God everytime for blessing me with him. I trust that my God will be with us on this road of marriage, and nothing shall be able to separate us from the love of God and each other.

Praise You and thank You, my Heavenly Father.