Sneaky me, I planned this whole thing behind her back for a good 3 weeks. This would probably go down in history as the most sophisticated surprise I’ve pulled on her. With our long history as friend to partner, I would have thought she’d read some of my tricks! That wasn’t the case.
Here are some of my ‘engagement’ ideas aside from the one I eventually picked:

1. Take a ride on the Eye of Malaysia together and upon ascending, pop the question to her.
   Was a good idea, but then I wanted to involve people. This was towards a more personal touch though.
2. Go diving. Attach the ring to a coral prior to the dive. Write on a dive slate “Will you marry me” when we arrive to its spot.
   This may work well for many other divers out there, but NOT for Deb. I can’t bring myself watching her gasping for air and scrambling up to the surface! Confidence my dear, confidence. There are still times when she still forgets to breathe through her mouth underwater…so that’s why.
   
   
3. A limo will pick her up from work and will take her on a treasure hunt. Questions leading to places we’ve had fond memories and finally ending up at a garden with a candle light dinner. Then pop the question during dessert.
   Sounds cool, but I wanted a BANG! She would have guessed where it was leading to in the middle of the hunt.
   
   

After toiling over different “schemes”, I got together an excellent bunch of youth to pull “this” off for me. They did all the work while I rested on my laurels. I was careful not to be involved in case Deb suspected something! As it is, her antennas were already up – high enough to detect some UFOs.

It’s a wonder how I get tricked into many of his surprises, even with my antenna! How’s that possible?! It’s possible! He proved that. Next time, I’d have to hire external antennas and have them work for me!

On the evening of 24th May 2007, I was made to believe that we’d be celebrating our 2nd courtship anniversary on a little cruise on PutraJaya lake. Two days prior, Terence forwarded me a string of emails which had queries and responses between the management of the cruise and him. The email even had a 4 course menu and other details for the night. I was all excited to go on the cruise, but little did I know that it was a decoy plan to get me to PutraJaya for another kind of adventure on a little row boat.

We arrived just before sunset at the familiar lake where we had previously wanted to do some rowing. Since we were early Terence suggested we’d have some fun on the row boat. Before heading into the water, he handed me a sealed envelope and cautioned me not to drop or feel the contents in it. By this time, my antennas were on full swing. My inquisitive fingers laced the envelope almost sure that I’d stumble upon a ring. But I didn’t! Still not giving up, I told myself, ‘the ring must be hidden inside’. I wasn’t allowed to open the envelope until we had rowed to the center of the lake.

The enveloped later revealed a beautiful hand designed scrapbook he made. I was so engrossed admiring the scrapbook I had ignored the signals my antennas were receiving. I thought to myself ‘if he was really going to propose, then let it come naturally’ but at the moment I just wanted to read and savor the scrapbook. However my mind was still wondering if the ring was attached somewhere at the end of the scrapbook. But I had to finish the book to find out.

Just as I flipped the last page and found no ring, Terence said to me, “Look there” as he pointed to the jetty. In mere seconds, I realized that there was a team of people on the jetty and they were all familiar faces. I heard my mom from afar and that was when I knew that this was IT! There before me written on huge cards was “Will you marry me?” I took a gasp of air and read on “The greatest of all this is LOVE, I love you sweetheart”. I was speechless. He took my hand and said a lovely poem and he asked me to marry him. I paused for a moment as I was lost for words and then the appropriate “Yes” came. He slipped the ring onto my finger and we rowed back to shore. The feeling was indescribable, more than what I felt on our first evening 2 years back. It is a surety that love grows and deepens over the days, months and years.

The surprise wasn’t over as I soon found out that nearly 30 people were part of this plan. Nearing to shore, I was shocked to see cameras flashing at us and video cams panning away! Family and friends filled the jetty and a banquet of homemade food decked the table. Truly a plan beautifully crafted!

I was so relieved all this was finally over. Proof to that was my drenched shirt and sweaty palms! Yes, we’re engaged – and now for greater things ahead.

Thank You Lord, for it’s through You, perfection and love is ordained.

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