Love Story: I met the girl of my dreams at NDP rehearsals

Plucking up the courage to ask someone out or just to introduce yourself is hard and it is harder when you have had no experience with romance before but Eddie triumphed over his fear and has not regretted doing so ever since.

From friends to partners and eventually parents, Eddie and his wife will be celebrating their 8th dating anniversary as he asked his wife to be his girlfriend on Valentine's Day itself on 2009.

Take a look at their journey together since they first shyly sneaked a peek at one another at a National Day Parade.

Eddie shares how they met and how awesome a wife and mother his partner is.

"10 years ago in June 2007, we were diagonally a few meters away from one another at the same venue on every Saturday until 9 August. We didn’t notice each other’s presence and our paths never crossed.

"A year later, at the very same venue, we finally met. Every time we see or bump into each other, we will just smile without saying hi.

"Occasionally, I will take a quick glance to see what she is doing and the moment she saw me looking at her, I will give an awkward smile.

"As Saturday goes by, we began seeing each other more often. I took the initiative to chat with her and on 9 August, I pluck the courage to ask for her number and she gave it to me.

"The next day, I started messaging her on the phone. I was feeling nervous and do not know how to start a conversation. Perhaps I had never been in a relationship before and hence, the nervousness was there. However, as days goes by, the nervousness subsided.

"Every day, we will just message each other for hours without fail unless she is not in Singapore.

"That marks the start of our new friendship.

"On 29 August 2008, we decided to meet for dinner for the first time. The meet up was short as she had just finished work and I had just finished a lesson.

"We spent about 2 hours having our dinner and chit-chatting and after that, we parted ways.

"Before we left, I asked her if we can continue to go out more often. She said “YES”. That marks the beginning of us dating as friends.

"After that day, we started going out more often – 2 to 3 times a week and after months of going out together, understanding one another, our likes and dislikes, I began to realise she is definitely the one I would want to bring our friendship to another level.

"To do so, I must find a right time to let her know my feelings. So, on 25 December 2008, I tried doing that but just could not do it.

"I stutter for a moment and was feeling nervous. So in the end, I wasted that chance. While that important moment was gone, consider I’m still a student and she already entered the workforce, I was also worried that she might have other suitors.

"Whatever the situation is, life goes on and soon after that, we meet again. 

"The frequencies of our weekly meet up increases to 4. Finally, on 14 February 2009, my life change. Just before we head home after going out the whole day, I held her hands and asked her if she is willing to be my girlfriend. She responded with a "Yes!"

"That marks the beginning of our courtship. Over the years of our courtship, we have been through quite a bit of ups and downs, laughter and tears. 

"Most importantly, be it good times or bad times, we must always be there for one another. 

"That is the promise we commit to one another after we become a couple. 

"On 25 December 2011 after 2 years plus of courtship, I proposed to her and on 16 March 2013, we became husband and wife. 

"Fast forward to January 2016, our first child was born. That was the start of our parenthood journey.

"For the past 7 years and 11 months of being together, I really thank God that we had totally no arguments and quarrels. Although there are times when we faced conflicts, we were thankful that it did not lead to any arguments and/or quarrels.

"Come 14 February 2017, we will be celebrating our 8th Anniversary. I would like to take this time to thank my wife for being my lifelong partner, loving me for who I am and, tolerating my random nonsense. 

"My love for you is a journey, starting at forever and ending at never.

"I know it is not easy being a mother. You did it well and I love you."

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This contest is proudly sponsored by Stomp, The Photobooth Guyz, Wave House Sentosa, ORTO, Katapult Trampoline Park, Maximum Drift and Prawning at ORTO, Gift Flowers Singapore and ShopBack.