"No worries. When will you be finished?"
"Five minutes."
"See you soon!"
"Uh- OK!"
She screamed when she walked in the door. She didn't think she'd left the lights on, but was oblivious to the many hints I'd given away. I'd meant to say, "Speak to you soon!"
"So that's why the cat was outside!"
Dinner was freshly laid out, steaming on the warmed plates, set atop the brand new table cloth.
"Oh, wow. Wow!"
"It sounded like you've had a pretty rough day, so I bolted up here to try and make it a little better."
After much hugging and happy, deep breaths, I managed to seat her at the table. She talked about her day and why this dinner would give her the energy she'd need for the next few days.
"You're rather dressed up, aren't you?"
My suit and tie still hadn't given away my intention for the evening. I wanted to show her that I could organise something, without just throwing money at it. I wanted to show her that I could cook. Every time she comes to visit me in the Big Smoke, she always manages to hijack my kitchen and produce wonderful dishes for me and my house mates. I'd cooked a few dishes at my family home for her, and managed some spiced pork chops once, but I'd never really been able to prove myself. I chose the simple, but elegant, Salmon and Broccolini with Orange Sauce. There were rolls from The Good Loaf on the table, and a wine to match the meal. To follow this up were a selection of cheeses, fig and walnut paste, and grapes.
Most of all, I wanted to show her that I want to cook for her...
...for the rest of her life (maybe not every night, but my feminist tendencies say, AT LEAST every second night).
I went upstairs and returned with a small box that she didn't notice, until I held it up to her, on bended knee, as she sat at the table.
"Aun Teeng, for the last time, will you marry me?" I managed, with a smile.
I expected her to clasp the box and examine the sparkly contents, but she held me to her, then grabbed my face- "Yes." *Kiss* "Yes." *Kiss* "Yes."
*Kiss*
It was only at this point that she took the ring from the box. I held her hand as she put it on her finger.
It's been a comparatively quick turn-around, but it was always meant to be. After prayers for God's protection on our lives, and for Jesus to remain our focus, we ate the meal- frequently interrupted by my need to go around to her side of the table and hold her in an embrace.
Thank you, Lord God, for the wonderful life we will share! Thank you, Lord God, for bringing us together! Thank you, Lord God, that by the example of Jesus, our Saviour, your Son, we see how to live a life humbled before you, how to focus on serving others in order to build a community of love and we see how to best love each other.
It's been an interesting journey, full of difficulty and joy, but ultimately more rewarding that we could have hoped.
I hope that we can share our happiness and the blessings we have received with those of you who are in Australia, in the form of a wedding, as well as continued friendship. To those across the shores, feel free to drop me a line. We're always happy to make new friends and chat with old ones.
Much love,
Evan (& Kat)
or
TheSovietChairman (& teengkoh)
Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
Colossians 3:12-14
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