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Fii & I met when we were working in Camera Rental Centre in 2010. He was mad about photography so he started working there soon after he graduated from NUS. As for me, I started out not knowing anything about photography; all I wanted as a stable office job (call centre) after I left the Hospitality and F&B industry.
We both were seeing someone else at that time so we spent 2 years as purely colleagues and nothing else. However after a breakup, the passing of my dearest grandmother and going through a difficult phase in my career, I've found our relationship starting to grow into something more.
It was very clear that we are like the North and South Pole, very different but attracted to each other. Fii is Malay Muslim while I'm totally Chinese (in love with the whole history of China etc), not trying to be racist but it was obvious that it won't be easy if we ever decide to be more than friends.
Before we decided to be officially together, we spent A LOT of time talking about the future, our individual visions and dreams. It was very "unromantic" and "theoretical" because we choose to be mature adults with the idea of marriage; instead of treating it like another BGR that might lead to nowhere.
Guess the biggest change was due to the difference in race and religion (sound like the Singapore pledge) hahahah.. I had to learn about his faith - Islam, about what it means to be a muslim through classes that are held in Darul Arqam (centre for muslim converts).. Rushing for weekly classes after work and fasting during Ramadan wasn't easy for the first time, plus the fact that I have frequent gastric problems.
However I'm glad that Fii was always there for me, attending the classes, buying my favourite food to break fast etc. I've always been very analytical so at times we find ourselves in major debates and argument about doctrines and "laws". But we are thankful that we could always handle it well and especially when it comes to breaking the news to my parents about Fii being muslim.
It took us several months and continuous "hard work" to convince both parents to accept our relationship and decision. So as we start to plan our wedding, the pressure will intensify as we balance the requests of our parents and our own desires.
Somehow I am very thankful that we are so different, yet so similar (ironic yes) but very true. It allow us to see each other's blind spots and also build on our strengths. Fii is always very technical, into specifications, math and science; while I'm the business arts kid who is all about analysis and interrelation communication. Our relationship is just like a complete jigsaw puzzle, only whole when placed together.
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