Just so all our memories are on the same page... :)
*As previously recorded on the 29th of June 2009... ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
He did it... despite me mentioning numerous times that I don't require A Proposal...
In his usual ultra sweet manner, the proposal was thoughtful yet not too elaborate, simple yet close to my heart...
Hotel staying has always been part and parcel of our relationship. It's a treat that we give ourselves once in a while since we established a more secure state of financial independence. To date, we've stayed in Oriental, Amara, Pan Pacific and Somerset at Cairnhill. Out of the 4 stays that we have had in our 9 years together, he always takes the initiative to make plans and with each stay, some little element of surprise.
We have been talking about planning one for this year, some time close to his birthday in June. However, what I thought was yet another simple hotel stay, turned out to be one of the biggest event in our lives... =)
An event that took weeks of planning from his side, while I was mostly kept in the dark.
I kinda knew where this was headed, when he asked for me to be blindfolded, while he drove to the hotel. When he was parked, I made a fuss about a million other people seeing me in that state and requested for the blind fold to be removed.
'Do you trust me?' was all he had to remind me, and what could I say? To a guy whom I love dearly?
I played along... and I let him lead me into the hotel lobby, while protesting that there must be one million other people looking at me. All the time, he was just calmly assuring me that the lobby was empty and the lift was right beside the reception table, beside the entrance.
He brought me all the way to the hotel room, and with blind faith, I followed his instructions and his reassuring voice for every step that brought me closer to our room.
Before we entered the room, he asked me to think of things that I don't like about him. I thought hard and long, and I realised that the issues that I used to have about him, are no longer as important as I used to think they were. My mind was churning but I really couldn't bring up anything about him that I disliked, simply because I know that he's been trying and putting in an effort to better himself.
As we entered the room, I strained my ears to listen out to the ambience and I couldn't pick up anything unusual, than a really quiet room.
He brought me to a sofa, and I felt him move around a little before he knelt down before me and held my hands. At that point, I knew it was THE moment. He asked and I said "Yes'...
I removed my blindfold, he proposed with the ring that we both picked out in 2004... It has been waiting for 5 years... =) Somehow everything was a blur as I started tearing, saying at the same time that 'I already told you I don't need a proposal...'
That was when he said,
I looked around in shock to see closet doors sliding open, toilet doors opening and my dear dear friends of 18 years rushing out with party poppers, heart shaped balloons and cameras taking pictures none stop.
My tears couldn't stop flowing as I hugged each of them tight and close... with my heart overflowing with emotions and happiness...
And if it wasn't enough, I had another surprise during dinner when he invited another group of friends who are as close to me as family, for an engagement dinner celebration.
And so on the 27th of June 2009, in New Majestic Hotel, in a room decorated by emerging local artiste also named as 'Lee Meiling', we got engaged 'officially'.
I can't help but keep counting my blessings, for the blessings that I have from my friends I love dearly, for all their efforts and well wishes and their participation in such a dear part of my life, my memory.
Most importantly, the blessing of having a guy who understands me so thoroughly in more than one way, and of an unfailing, unfaltering love that I often think I'm not worthy of.
Thank you Baby, for everything. It's not the bubbling champagne, or the foie gras and cod fish, it's not the luxurious hotel stay, neither is it the flowers or diamonds... It's these memories, and happiness in its most simple and sincere form... thank you for loving me so selflessly... I love you too.
P.S. These are little notes that I just had to keep - In response to my note of thanks to them:
Charm - "Yey!!!!!!! Congrats :) its about time! Very happy for u both.. Have a fantastic night ya."
RT - "U're most welcome my dear frens, yes both of u included. I'm personally touched tat the two parted and patched and i can feel that your love for each other now is much stronger than before separation. Keep it up and God Bless. ;)"
RL - "Heehee... Wish we cud make it more memorable 4 both ya! Bery honored & happy 2 be part of the whole proposal event. Congrats, wishin both eternal happiness! :-*"
Wil - "Our pleasure pls :) we feel family!"
Mel - "It was totally our pleasure to be invited by Robert to share in yr joy!!! You and robert are a very dear part of our lives. I hope u guys had a memorable engagement. See u tmrrw night!"
P.S. Just to add so that the event is complete, I found out very much later on that Rob actually bought 4 chocolate cakes and he made his rounds to seek blessings from my parents, my cousin and 2 of my aunties for his proposal plan! I was just... speechless... :'')
"The wedding candles are necessary in wedding rituals because they enhance the joyful wedding ambiance. Lighting the candles during the event can be very uplifting and euphoric for the happy couple as well as their families and guests. The candle lights move gracefully with the slight air movement as if dancing according to the tempo of the music played in the background. Indeed, these candles are capable in stirring the romantic mood in everyone present during the wedding ceremony.
