Happily Ever After

May I just say, right from the start, that Ying Yi’s solemnisation was really really lovely. It was just a quiet gathering of the two families and the witnesses (Me! Me!!) and Daniel (Ying’s Yi’s husband) conducted the ceremony as a qualified Justice of Peace. She wrote an account of it on her blog (which is probably a better one than the one I’m about to write, seeing how it was her who got married!) and also happened to write there that the presents I bought them still had the price tags on! Goddamit! That’s the last time I let a gift shop do my wrapping for me! From now on, you guys will have to accept the lumpy, tape-covered presents made by me instead!

The bride and groom looked great, although I have to say I’m partial to the bride… she looked gorgeous in this long, flowing green dress, very natural and happy holding a bouquet of Calla lillies that the best man’s girlfriend made her. The ceremony was simple and very sweet and went through the process of the vows and the contract of marriage as well as prayers for the couple and their new life together. Apart from the fact that it was in Chinese and so I was reading over Fongster’s shoulder and trying to make out where Daniel’s father was in his speech, I understood most of what was going on, especially the “speak now or forever hold your peace” bit. Earlier, we’d joked about me interrupting a huge church wedding at that point, but I managed to control myself and remain silent when the ceremony reached that part. Don’t think you’re safe, though, Fong, I might still break it out at your big wedding banquet!

When they repeated their vows and finally kissed, I got a little teary (inside though, mind! I wasn’t about to break down crying in front of her mum and dad!) which weddings tend to do to me. The best thing about the ceremony though, in my view, was the fact that despite it being a serious and tender occasion, there was also a measure of humour and fun that I’ve come to associate with both Ying Yi and Daniel and it made the wedding all the more special and enjoyable. We ended the night with an amazingly good ten course Chinese dinner (but of course! How better to end a wedding? Thanks, Dan!) and in an astounding feat of destiny, snow frogs were served for dessert again! It was a lot of fun getting to know Eugene and his girlfriend and Daniel’s siblings a little bit better and talking about all kinds of things from live lobsters to panda porn.

So Mr and Mrs *ahem* Ong, apart from telling you that you had a wonderful wedding and I’m really happy for you, I also want to thank you for having me there because it really meant a lot that I got to hold the rings and share in your special moment. I sincerely wish you the happiest life ahead wherever you guys may go. Also, may I say thank you for single-handedly curing me of asthma for the rest of my life! Just once more helping of snow frogs and I think I’ll be able to breathe underwater too! Till then, I’ll just content myself with breathing on land… and practising my banquet interrupting skills to boot.