Pre-Wedding Photoshoot

Both Sheng and I agreed that planning for wedding ceremony is tedious and troublesome I would describe it, but we are handling it well, from venue, outfit, to the tiny details of wedding flavors and colour theme. I guess both of us work in a way that compliment each other, we understand what we are good at and prefer handling after dating for 7 years. This long run we had before marriage allows us to take the lead on and off along the journey. We did our couple test and the result shown that we do not have a clear leader in our relationship and was told that we need to work on this area, however, I guess this is something special about us. God has been the leader for this relationship and has blessed us in many ways through this journey.

In the midst of planning and counselling, the pre-wedding shoot came in timely allowing us to take the stress away and had a fun-filled day, or rather 2 crazy days. We did 2 shoots, 1 in Singapore another in Bali.

Sheng is a natural entertainer and joker among friends and relatives but he is quite strict toward me. He has high expectation on me so the past 2 years he has been training his wife-to-be to be a more confident lady who is able to handle situations. The training was tough, he joke lesser and I would often complain, but I appreciate his intention. Hence, this pre-wedding shoot was a teaser for me to get back to his crazy self where he talks rubbish to me to get me to laugh naturally. Even the photographers enjoyed his accompany, having him around make the shoot really easy! 

And don't he looks like a model in the below photo? This moment swipe me off my feet once again... I'm in love with this man again!

These are some of our photos for the pre-wedding shoot:

Singapore

As you can see, sport plays a great part of our life.

Bali

Yes! Maddy is turning Seow, Ms Tan to Mrs Seow. I thank God for this man who generously showered me with his love.

The next step to saying I Do

http://theweddingvillage.com.sg/

It has been a month and 15 days after I said I do. And it's a great time that butterflies and cakes organised the Singapore’s first biggest wedding exhibition show at Suntec Convention hall this weekend. Though it is very early for us to buy any packages at the exhibition but it definitely gave us an understanding  what to plan and expect for for our special day. The photographers at the exhibition have great amazing works, the wedding venues are unique and the decorations are fairy tales! Like a dream comes true...

As we are planning on the theme of our wedding, we are working on some important issue, which is our differences. Wedding is moment we celebrate the vow we are making but it takes a lifetime to building a happy family, so we are starting our marriage counselling to work on some issues that we might not know and hope we don't kill each other. =)

Then the LORD God made a woman from the rib he had taken out of the man, and he brought her to the man.  The man said, "This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called 'woman, ' for she was taken out of man."  

100 days challenge - Gives Thanks day 100

The 100 days warm up exercise has comes to an end. Though anxious but am more excited for what God has installed for me next in the full marathon race (life itself).

I have started the 100 days challenge without any knowledge of how this will bring me joy but God has been faithful. Focusing on the simple blessings each day has brought simple happiness in my life.

There is too much to testify His great love. Just a simple assurance that He is there in any of my situations to the great gifts He rewards me put me to the highest point in my life.

He has seen all these coming my ways and I am glad that I were obedience enough to follow His. Within the 100days, many things have happened; I passed my test, I learned to forgive, I gained back some of my self-esteem, I passed my interview, I promised to be married to my wonderful partner and finally I'm into a new job. God has it all planned, so nicely that the 100days challenge ends on the first day of a new journey. How amazing He is! If your plan is not working out nicely, why not leave it to God. I would always say, the last thing to do is to pray and submit to God but truly that is the only way.

I can't thank Him enough but to continue to run the race with Him.

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. - Hebrew 12:1-3

100 days challenge - Gives Thanks day 73 - The Proposal

Cairns where two world heritage sites meet and a place where I found a diamond ring.

On 13 June 2013, the most unromantic boyfriend decided to do something special; to propose at Shangri-La Cairns.

I have nothing to suspect about as it is very common for us to travel together for his race. Something different was that I were extremely busy at work that I hardly have the time to plan any itinerary, so Aaron decided to take over this opportunity to give me a surprise.

What a wonderful joke it is.

It was 4 days after his race; we were adventurous on that day that we decided to go for white water rafting at the Barron River. The day ended pretty fun, tiring and with lots of bruises. It was a rare occasion that he suggested to have a nice dinner to end the day and gave me time to dress up (though I were too tired to dress nicely. *Regretted*).

At North Food and Wines with Sea view

Suspicion arise when the restaurant and bar manager of the North food and Wines, Illy Toloa-Suaniu, brought a bottle of wine, calming that it was the restaurant “lucky draw” and we were the lucky ones. I thought I were over sensitive about things and were embarrassed about myself but I soon put this aside when the seafood tower that we ordered were presented to us. 

Good wine, Good view and a Good ambience

Seafood Tower

 We took our time enjoying the dinner, but I bet Aaron was struggling internally throughout this meal. I reckon it is always a tough mission for any man to pop the question. As for the wine I mentioned earlier, I felt bad not to drink it since it was a gift by the restaurant, so started to drink a few sips while enjoying the lobster, smoked salmon, crayfish and shrimps. It is the best combination I would say. Unknowingly, I drank half the glass and it was more than I could handle. I was feeling sleepy and requested to head back to the hotel to rest.

Before I could stand up from the dining table, the manager has stepped in saying that she has prepared a dessert for us. This was when I knew it is “the moment”.

The specially customized dessert with the ring setting on top with the strawberry 

I saw the ring on top of the customized ice crystal ball and that brought me to tear. Overwhelmed with joy! Aaron was caught off guard too, because North Food and Wines were so kind to help organize this occasion that Aaron only has to do the bare minimum of handling them the ring.

“What am I supposed to do next?” That was his respond, bringing about laughter within my tears.  No fancy speech like he did while emceeing, no animated actions like he did in Sunday school but just a simple “Will you marry me?” and at the same time trying to kneel down with his sore legs. However, all these melt my heart, how could I reject? *blush*

Though no fanciful speech, he jotted down our dating journey in his personalize drawing album. It wasn’t easy to have an endurance dating of 6 years but it definitely taught us how to love and understand each other; and that how we like it, we are endurance athletes.

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. - 1 Corinthians 13:4-7

Thanks to all the friends that contributed the ideas, suggestions and/or simply keeping the cat in the bag. Thank you Illy and North Food and wines for the months of coordination and the surprise. Thank you my fiancé for loving me. Thank God for the angels He places in my life.

The wonderful lady behind the occasion

A special thank you for North food and wines for sponsoring the wine and customized dessert for our special occasion. If you would like to hold a special occasion there:

Shangri-La Hotel, The Marina, Cairns Pierpoint Road, Cairns, Queensland, 4870 Australia
Tel: (617) 4052 7670 Fax:(617) 4031 2815 Email:illy.suaniu@shangri-la.com Website:www.shangri-la.com

To end off, I’m engaged!