Grow old along with me; the best is yet to be!
Robert Browning

-------------------------------------------------------------

The Proposal

At the Bridal Studio

Our Story – Bride’s version 

It was his name that first caught my attention. “Morgan” is not a common name for a Chinese guy, but it was catchy enough for me to notice it. We met in Dec 97 during the Fairfield Methodist Church Youth Camp held @ ACS (Independent). I was then a non-Christian and Mrs Chow, my accounts tuition teacher, invited me for this Camp. I really thank God for this divine appointment that changed my life and allowed me to know Him and of course my husband to be, Morgan.

During the camp, I remember Morgan demonstrating his guitar skills to me. I can still recall the song title (Therefore being justified by Faith). Then, I knew nuts about the guitar so I was obviously kind of impressed by that. I can’t believe it; I actually fell for him because of a song! A simple basic 4 chord song! Haha ;)

It’s really easy to talk to him so we connected quite well right from the start. We attended the same church and same Sunday school class. Somehow, whenever he wasn’t around in cell, I would miss him. So, I got his number, and yes I called him first. Gosh, so embarrassing! Yup, but it was worth it. ;) Soon, the occasional phone calls became regular, and I would look forward to Morgan calling me each day. We LOVE Movies too so he started bringing me out for Movie Marathons. 

Then suddenly, one Sunday morning, he asked me to meet him @ the MRT station earlier than usual to go to Church together. That was when he popped the question, “Do you want to be my Girlfriend?” It was kind of direct and obviously I was taken aback by it. Well, I told him that I would think about it first. (Up to today I’m still unsure why I said that) A week later, I agreed. That was the first time he held my hands. ;) Life has never been the same again because there is this new guy going through life’s journey with me!

Throughout the entire 8 years, Morgan has been a guide and my pillar of strength. Sometimes, I think he is an Owl who really guides and encourages me in everything that I do. I’ve grown closer to God because of his constant bugging to do my quiet time and pray.

He can really put up with my nonsense and mood swings. That’s some thing that I still feel guilty about sometimes. No matter how many times I try to irritate him or ask him ridiculous things, he will try his best to answer them. Somehow, he always soothes all our differences with his famous Darley smile and fervent prayers. It never fails to brighten up my day.

The Proposal.

I’ve always told Morgan not to pop that “question” unless he is very very very certain about it. This is so that I can get a “proper” Proposal. And yes, I got mine.

Morgan invited me to his home for Dinner during Valentine’s Day. He actually whipped up a 4 course meal completed with a beautiful made menu and a beautiful Bouquet of flowers. After the meal, he suddenly asked me to turn around and close my eyes. He then started playing the Piano. I almost cried. Though he had some piano lessons as a child, Morgan didn’t manage to get graded…. and there he was playing our song - At the Beginning, from the sound track of the movie Anastasia. He got down on his Knees and opened a small Red box and popped the question, “Will you marry me?” Thankfully the ring was of my favorite cut and I said yes! Heee. But…even if it wasn’t, I would still have said yes. He must have practiced the song many times before reaching that kind of a standard. Must give him effort points! Haha.

More than 8 years of ups and downs together and we are still so much in love. To God be the glory! ;D

Our Story – Groom’s version 

I first met Angela in Dec 1997 during the Fairfield Methodist Church Youth Camp held at ACS (Independent) Boarding School. I am really glad that I showed up at the camp because I was quite tired and had just returned from a family holiday at Los Angeles. All along, I had refused to attend church camps or youth camps because I did not like staying over at “foreign” places. Thankfully, God had a divine plan and he allowed this Youth Camp to be held at the boarding facilities of my own school.

During the last night of camp, I was one of the few persons hanging around one of the seminar rooms trying to stay up as late as possible. Of course Angela was one of those who were still around. I plucked up my courage and went over to talk to her. I’m glad I did because I had a wonderful conversation with her and realized how sweet and innocent she is! Since sweet and innocent is usually synonymous with “gullible”, I tried to impress her with my super basic “guitar skills”. Haha! Somehow, God must have granted me favour with her because she even went on to trim her beautifully manicured nails for the lessons! :)

We had quite a connection with one another and we started to exchange letters and notes with one another on Sundays during Youth Cell meetings. The notes gradually became phone calls and progressed to movie dates. Even though, at that time, I was good friends with other girls, I knew for certain in my heart that Angela was the one for me because she was the only girl who took the trouble to come to my home by bus to attend the wake of my late grandmother. So sweet and thoughtful right? :) I’m sure my grandmother, who is in heaven right now, would have no hesitation in giving us her blessings!

I prayed like never before and sought the Lord’s confirmation because I wanted to do it once and do it right and spend the rest of my life with Angela alone! Thankfully, the Lord revealed this verse from Proverbs 18:22: He who finds a wife finds what is good and receives favour from the Lord! It was tremendously overwhelming and that gave me the strength and courage to ask Angela to be my girlfriend! So, as the story goes, at Tanjong Pagar MRT station, I asked Angela to be my first and only girlfriend. She smiled sweetly and didn’t say anything but I guess she gave confirmation to her first and only boyfriend (Me of course! Isn’t this sweet? :) ) the following week when she allowed me to hold her hands at Millenia Walk. Despite the fact that our palms were soaked with perspiration, I was so afraid of letting it go for fear of not having another chance to hold her hands again. Haha!

During our one month anniversary, after dinner at Brewerkz, I sat Angela down by the bridge at Clarke Quay and read to her from Proverbs 31 - The Qualities of a Godly wife. When I look back, I’m glad Angela wasn’t scared away by my spiritual fervor! :) Ha! But on a serious note, I see that Angela is the best and perfect fulfillment of these verses as the one whom the Lord has specially prepared for me. These 8 years have been terrific and I look forward to spending my lifetime with her!

For the proposal, I did research on diamonds (If you need help, feel free to ask me!), practiced our song on the piano (while singing), and went shopping for a gigantic card, flowers and ingredients for our dinner date during Valentines (Feb 2005). There, history was made and I really look forward to spending eternity with Angela!

24/07/06 - Here's a wedding joke:

Here Comes The Groom

Fed up with the way the bride invariably steals the show at her own wedding, the university at which Rob Tombes works (exact school unknown)carried in its news weekly its own "unbiased" account of his recent marriage to Mary Beth Snyder:

Mr. Robert Tombes, son of Dr. and Mrs. Averett Tombes of Fairfax, Va.,became the bridegroom of Miss Mary Elizabeth Snyder today at
Fairfax Presbyterian Church.

Mr. Tombes was attended by his brother Thomas Hamilton Tombes as best man. As the groom approached the altar he was the cynosure of all eyes. Blushing handsomely, he replied to the questions of the clergyman in low but firm tones. He was charmingly clad in a 3-piece suit consisting of coat, vest and pants. The coat, of some dark material, was draped handsomely about the shoulders and tastefully gathered under the arms. A touching story was current among the guests that the coat was the one worn by his father and grandfather on their wedding days. Mr. Tombes would neither affirm nor deny the truth of this sentimental touch. The vest was sleeveless and met in the front. It was gracefully fashioned with pockets and at the back was held together by a strap and buckle of the same material.

The groom's pants were of some dark material, and were suspended from the waist, falling in a straight line almost to the floor. The severe simplicity of the garment was relieved by the right pantelet which was caught up about four inches from the floor by a Boston Brighton worn underneath, revealing just the artistic glimpse of leather, laced with string of the same color. The effect was rather chic.

Beneath the vest the groom wore blue galluses attached to the pants fore and aft and passing in a graceful curve over each shoulder. His
neck was encircled with a collar characterized by a delicate sawedge, and around the collar a cravat was loosely knotted so that it rode up under his left ear with a studied effect of carelessness which marks supreme artistry in dress.

The best man's costume was essentially the same as the groom's, and as the two stood at the altar, a hush of awed admiration enveloped
the audience.

As Miss Snyder led the groom from the nuptials, it was noted that she wore the conventional white veil and orange blossoms.