Today marks two precious years since ZW and I got together. It seems almost surreal, how quickly time flew by, the things we've experienced together, seeing the world together, and simply being together.
Actually, our anniversary date was decided upon quite arbitrarily. We had been seeing each other casually, I was in a state of indecision, some part of me even thought ZW might be a rebound fling. Short, passionate, intense but ultimately, fleeting. So it was almost unnatural when over the phone, he asked me to be his girlfriend (how shockingly old-fashion!) and I said "ok". And that was it, really.
Till today, I still shake my head in amazement at how we met and fell in love. Who would have thought that on a work trip to remote inland China, I would find love? That I would start talking to a fellow journo, someone who is passionate about life, photography, has a deep, soothing, sexy voice, is well-groomed and funny?
Ah hell, after a few days of spending time together on long bus rides, talking, laughing, creating our own world, I found the fella irresistibly sexy. Throw in that camera of his, and I was hooked.
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| Taken by a Chinese photographer. Still an amazing shot till today. |
The first few months were a whirlwind. Somehow, we managed to squeeze in 2 mega birthday celebrations and 2 vacations in the first 6 months.
It's hard to describe what makes us tick. On paper, we're poles apart. We share very few common interests and that has been an issue on a few occasions. Our music tastes, our hobbies and even outlook on life can be very different.
Yet with each passing month, I found myself more and more in love with him. Like a giggly school girl, I wanted to spend more time with him than was possible given our schedules, I tried to show more interest in photography (think I'll stick to being the subject!) and even tried my hand at learning Japanese (still struggling with my ABC's).
I would like to think I've also contributed to expanding his outlook on life, gaining a greater appreciation for fine food, making him laugh, teaching him to to take things easier, and handling life's challenges with more humour and grace as and when they come.
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| Surrounded by a field of dandelions in Aomori. |
By the end of the first year, we briefly spoke about marriage, but nothing serious. ZW expressed reservations over settling down, and while the relationship was serious, he didn't want to be tied down, to possibly lose the freedom to choose whatever path he wanted.
That discussion made me sad, but I knew it wasn't time to push it. Besides, if it was meant to be, it would be.
And three weeks ago, he turned my world upside down again.
HE PROPOSED TO ME.
I may not have cried during the proposal, but trust me when I say my heart went into overdrive. Knowing that he put aside his reservations over marriage, his dreams of taking on the world solo, made me realise just what a precious gift he's been to me.
Honestly, I still can't believe we're engaged. I find myself staring at his face a lot more these days, wondering how we got here. The future may be a murky haze, and I'm fretting over the costs of our wedding and housing options.
But it just takes a reassuring smile from ZW, and his firm grip on my hand, and I know that everything's going to be just fine.
