Our Story....

I had come across a blog that is so sweet. It is a keepsake for the family. Therefore, for the next few blogs, I am going to dedicated to my three greatest loves in life. My three boys.

Every time, new friends I meet will always ask me where did I know Gavin… so this is a story about us…

I was living in Dubai. This is the first time I lived away from Singapore. Living in Dubai is very different! Initially, I was still trying to keep up the image… However, life is getting so bored. Finally, on my 26th birthday, I tell myself. Alas, I am going to let go. Going to start to enjoy myself..

Karin & Elfa celebrated my 26th birthday with me at Long Bar in Dubai where it is just walking distance from our apartments. On that night, we were getting high and having lots of fun. Out of a blue, my eyes met Gavin and we started dancing together and Karin with his best mate, Will. Poor Elfa was too high to notice anything at that time. At the bar, we exchange peanuts and ice through our lips. Yes, we were high and we were in our own little world! What a crazy night!

The next day, Karin and I met them at Citycenter. I was actually very very nervous! It was my first date since 5 months ago. Moreover, he is a British! How do I communicate with him? Fear forgotten, we had the most fun time together bowling.

The thing that upset me the most was that over the next 7 days we spent together, never once, Gavin ask me for my number! I assume he is just looking for holiday romance. Therefore, I treated it like a game. On last day, I was flying to Jo’burg; I could tell Gavin was upset. Nevertheless, I still don’t really understand why didn’t he get my number? How could we keep in contact when he does not have my number?

During one of the 7 days, Elfa met Bernie who is now her hubby. I remember Karin was telling me she has never met someone like Will (who is now her hubby too). She is hopelessly head over heels with him. Will told Gavin on the last day of their hoilday in Dubai, he is going to marry Karin. Gavin told him do not be stupid… Ha-ha… Funny how things turn out… There must be a magic love dust in the air in that week…

Gavin was out of my life when I came back from Jo’burg, but NO! He actually has my email and we started emailing each other. When I finally received

my roster for April’s flight, I was taken back. My first flight is to London. Is this what we called fate?

He meets up with me at the hotel with flowers and champagne. Still, I was still treating everything like a game, as he still have not ASK for my NUMBER! He took me sightseeing in Oxford in bid to impress me. Yes, I was impressed. I was thinking what fabulous life they had in the university! Their so-called ‘canteen’ is like the dining room from Harry Potter movie. They had to wear suits and dinner dresses for their dinner. It was a historical and stunning place. But still, I was not going to let him come into my heart.

Something happened! When the day ending… I was in his car; there is a crane fly in the car. He patiently uses his hand to push the crane fly out of the car. I just went very quiet and stare at him. At that moment, I had fallen in love with him. I had always wanted a guy to do that! Not to kill them, but push them out of the car. Suddenly, I realise that I need to open my heart to him…

There go the mass emails we sent to each other. I could spent hours writing mails to him and I will always look forward reading his long emails too. Elfa, my flatmate at that time, will always come in my room and commented, such a long emails and I am spending so many time writing long emails to him. I am going deeper and deeper in this relationship…

When I am in London, he will introduce me to his mum, sister and even his grandparents. Shall I call this destiny or just plain coincident? His grandparents and mum used to live in Singapore in the 50s for a few years.

I realised that the reason why he never ask for my number was because this is the first time he ever date a girl in 9 years. He does not want to look ‘desperate’ and was very shy. Sigh, silly man playing mind games…. He is not a pro at dating, as I am his second girl in his life.

Does anyone believe love at first sight? I never believe in that until I met Gavin. He loves me the moment he set his eyes on me and shamefully, I am not. During this time, I was actually really enjoying myself in Dubai. Suddenly, I have lots of attentions, parties and dates. But I guess this is just Michelle. I realise it is just not in me to have two relationships even though I told myself on my 26th birthday I am going to start dating loads of men. The funniest thing, he is my FIRST boyfriend who is not an Asian.

One day, Gavin called me; he said his company is going to post him to Belgium to work. I was upset and avoided his calls for 2 days. I was in dilemma during this time. While he is living in London, it is easy to see him. Moreover, Emirates do not fly to Brussels. I know our relationship will reach a rough patch if he does accept the job. We had lots of discussion over these… During this time, both of us had realised how much we meant to each other.

I was back in Singapore; I remember calling Joyce and told her that I have fallen in love with Gavin. Told her I am going to propose to him. Ha ha. Yes, this is the crazy Michelle. Armed with cash, I went to buy a set of wedding band. When I went back to Dubai, I realised I was too impulsive and spontaneous… Therefore, I just put the rings in the drawers and almost forgotten about it.

Next, went on one of the best holidays I ever had with my sister to Egypt. We had the most wonderful time there but Gavin really wants to see me. Finally convinced my understanding sister to cut short our holiday and we took a plane to London where he paid for Stella’s air ticket. We an enjoyable time in London, partying and sister get to know Gavin more.

Finally, the day arrive for our Kefalonia, Greece trip. For the 6 days we spent together was very romantic and sweet. Gavin took me to the beach where he proposes to me. I was surprised as I thought we were going to wait until next year March. He wanted to meet my parents and ask them for my hand in marriage. I guess the Belgium’s job change the timing of everything. He said many words and I just could not remember. A sweet moment under the beautiful moonlight.

The next London flight, Gavin took me to London, I was wearing my killer high heels and we were walking for nearly 2 hours. I was complaining constantly and insist on going home. Finally, at his home, he proposes to me again, this time with a ring. (For the last 2 hours, he was trying to propose and I was being miserable!) I made him do ‘silly’ things before I accept his proposal the second time. (Can’t let you guys know… It is our little secret)

The next time, it is my turn to propose. The next flight again, London flight… He came into my hotel room. I put the rings I brought from Singapore in stuff duck with the quacking sounds and decorate the room with confetti. He came in rather shocked as I took a long time to open the door. He cannot believe that this time, I am proposing to him. Yes, crazy Michelle again! I guess that what makes our life interesting.

There goes the rest. It is an exciting, fun and interesting courtship. I had never dated a white guy, I had never date anyone who is same age or younger than me (Gavin is the same age as me) I had never believe in love at first sight

I cannot believe I had found someone who loves to play pc games like me. Who loves to write like me? Who understand and tolerate my temper tantrums. Who loves me for who I am. Who is as passionate as I am. Who shares the same ideas, same taste in houses, food, cars… We are so alike in many ways and different in some ways too.
Looking at my engagement and wedding ring right now… Love just fills me… These two special rings have meant so much to us. It holds many memories where it will last a lifetime. This is our story and I hope when my two young boys grow up, they will read it and keeps it as a memory of Daddy & Mummy....

Our Wedding....

Finally, my mini project is here! Been taking me ages to get the photos. I had been using my digital camera taking the photos to download on my laptop. Sigh… why don’t they have ‘cheap’ digital camera years ago? Anyway, this blog is going to be about my wedding day. I will try to keep this blog short & simple but I think it is going to be tough….Let me take a trip down the memory lane….

Church
I had a culture shock when we visited the church. All the churches in England have cemetery. Being a Chinese, I was totally in shock by the first choice church that Gavin’s mum has chosen. It was on a beautiful hillside with stunning backdrop. Nevertheless, I just could not walk through the graves to the door of the church. Gavin explained to me even Princess Diana’s wedding catheral have cemetery. It symbolises life & death. But still, I just could not visualise me on that church.

Second choice St Mary of Charity Church, 18th Century; at least the graves were ‘hidden’ away behind the fence. I do not need to walk past the graves to the church. So we agree to this church. It was a gorgeous church. I love the stones. When the sun shines on it, it turns yellow. Stunning!

Rehearsal
The interesting part is the rehearsal. We need to rehearsal before the wedding. Like when to walked down the aisle and where is my dad going to give me away etc.
While we were practice the vows with the Vicar, I just could not stop laughing. Everyone especially the Vicar was very worried tomorrow (which is my wedding day) They must be thinking, what a silly girl.

Wedding Dress
It is very different from Singapore. The groom has never seen my wedding dress. He will only get to see me at the aisle. He could not even see me the night before the wedding, as it is consider bad luck. The wedding dress I had decided was the first one I tried on. I really love it but I thought I just could not make my decision right away. So poor Gavin’s mum had to go to more bridal shops with me to try on more. In the end, I still chose the first wedding dress I tried on.

The Happiest Day of My Life:-
In the morning, my bridesmaids, Alex, Karin and Stella were all ready. My theme for the wedding is white and gold. As my wedding dress is gold silk and cream. My wedding car was a Rolls Royce. The driver told me that this used to belong to the Governor of Hong Kong before 1997. My dad & I got in the car. I wanted to be late as it is actually not easy to marry me. Haha. Dad told me at least now he gets to sit on a Rolls Royce in his lifetime.





St Mary of Charity Church
While I was walking down the aisle, Gavin’s back was facing me. (Well, never FORGIVE him for that) though he later explained to me he was so nervous and was worried to burst into tears when he sees me. When I reach the alter, I saw Gavin’s eye all red and watery. So sweet. The ceremony was really sweet and romantic. Sally gave a wonderful reading. Gavin’s mum had done a fabulous job at making and arranging the stunning flowers.

When we said our vows, the funny thing is that, I was just smiling whereas Gavin is so nervous. I thought it should be me who is feeling this way…. The moment we said, we do… Everyone clap and Gavin kisses me.

The whole morning, we were just smiling and chatting with everyone. It was nice to have my family and friends to come. Gavin’s family and friends are wonderful too. They make me feel so warmth and kind.

Wedding Breakfast
Time for our wedding breakfast. Homestead house is a stunning Victorian Country house. When you walked in to the room, you could see a sea of stars floating around. The flowers are just so beautiful. THANK YOU MUM for helping me with the arranging and flowers. She is a STAR!

After the wedding breakfast, Gavin gave a speech. At this very moment, I saw another side of Gavin. He is a very good public speaker. His speech though last for 25 minutes… yes very looooooooooong but it was humorous and entertaining. Everyone enjoys it so much.

This wedding is the first time and the last time I actually see him cry… Hmm… No, he did cry at his cousin and granddad’s funeral. He is such a sweetheart. Luckily, for the bride, I just need to act beautiful and smile. No speech… Phew…

First Dance
Finally, night time. We need to have the first dance before anyone could dance. We had chosen the song, ‘Your Song’ by Elton John. This is our song in our lives… Whenever we heard this song anywhere, we will always look into each other eyes and it will bring us back to our first dance

There is more guest arriving at night. Thank god, we have buffet at night for guest to snack on. Everyone seems to be having a great time…

Midnight, we have to leave. I forgot to throw my bouquet. Such a silly me. Actually, it is the bad job by the bridesmaids. They are all too busy flirting around to remind me! Arghh…

Finally, the start of our 10 days honeymoon in San Francisco and Las Vegas…

It was the happiest day of my life. I love my wedding. It was so romantic and beautiful yet fun. I love the vows, speeches, and dancing. This is what a wedding should be. It is a celebration of love and a day where it will imprint in your memory. Very different from Singapore wedding where the bride and groom never seems to have time to enjoy the food.

Some people say that wedding is just a certificate. I feel wedding is the most beautiful time in one’s lifetime. My wedding was filled with love, warmth and happiness. I could feel Gavin’s love towards me and I know he will love, treasure and take care of me till old. When we said our vows, till death do us part… I mean it…. He is the most wonderful thing that has ever happened to me. He brings so much love, joy and happiness in my life. Yes, this is what marriage are all about… love, joy and happiness. A new chapter of my life began….