Status: Not married (yet)

Sometimes when I want to write about the wedding, I worry that I might sound like a broken record – echoing gripes and joys of what every damn bride goes through. Sometimes I want to go up to strangers on the street with my prinout of the prettiest cake I’ve ever seen, or the dress by Amanda Wakely that’ll make boys go ga-ga. At other times, I wanna tape my gab so that it’ll be a complete surprise for the attendees. As you might guess, i’s reeeeli hard to not tell.

So, it’s funny that eventhough I have not verbally made it public especially to my schoolmates, I find no qualms when a friend of mine asked if I would participate in a pro-marriage campaign. We had AN experience! A bridal company sponsored our make-up and outfits, and I made sure she poked many ornaments into my head so that I’d get the whole trad malay do, whilst Ery had to wear an outfit Hang Tuah would be proud to be caught in. Though the keris bit was met with a loud NO! from him, I was surprised that he was a sport and stood by me as we waved to CBDians on a hippo bus.

We came to a standstill right opp UOB plaza, where the press was waiting for us – making us pose and wave. I tried my best to look married, and happily in love – afterall we were encouraging people to tie knots.We then made our way to the “blue room” near Big Bird, waiting for the renewal of vows ceremony. We were the only couple - the other couples included Ang Peng Siong (swimmer), Kunalan (olympian) – who weren’t married, but had to do the aisle-walk etc as the compere talked about how we first met.

After the vows were renewed, I was told that Berita Harian wanted to interview us! I don’t know if they actually did an article, though Yani said a snip of my face was in Lianhe Ziabao.What did I get out of this experience other than free movie tickets and spa vouchers?

Stories of love – the Kunalans were married for 42 years! – that made me realise that marriage is a long journey, with its uppy and downy bits. They were definitely funny people, and perhaps humour is their secret for longevity. I should make it a point to make a good joke every now and then, and maybe, 42 years later… I will still look at Ery fondly, laughing holding hands like the Kunalans did.

Sappy mode aside, I can confidently say, this experience would top the charts for the most kental thing I’ve ever done but a very inspiring one. And though we Muslims do not practice the renewal of vows ritual, we should find ways to celebrate our union…everyday!