And so our story goes...

Last Saturday, while having deserts and coffee, Denise made a comment, that marriage can make one a better person. I thought it and cant agree more. I nodded and agreed not because it sounded like a correct thing to say to friends, esp to those who have not given up their singlehood. But in all honesty, I know that marriage, my marriage to Alexis, has made me a better person.

At Sentosa back in 2002

Alexis and I are probably more different than alike.

He is a homie while I like to be out of the house.

He's very analytical and logical while I'm more.. lets put it, go with my gut feel.

He hates me being messy and I'm well ... messy :P He's quiet while I'm more chatty.

Posing like some damsel in Chinese Gardens

He's logical, sensible, reasonable, cool-headed, techie, smartie

I'm spontaneous, creative, people-oriented, celebrates people... I think I'm pretty sensible too.

Taken at the Peak in Hong Kong, after Alexis got down on one knee and proposed. Where I said, "I do."

Yet in spite of our many differences, we still love each other, not just for what we bring to each other but also what we bring out of each other. How in accepting each other, we also want to change not because we want to please the other party but because we want to be a better wife, a better husband to each other.

In our home sweet home

Over the past 8 years, 5 years of courtship and 3 years of marriage, our love for each other has grown stronger and deeper. There is a new degree of maturity in our relationship that developed over time as we nourish each other with support and encouragement, carrying one another's burden, walking side by side through the challenges and even struggles in life.

At Great Ocean Road- our honeymoon in Melbourne

I cant even recall the countless times when all I needed was the quiet assurance of him beside me as I go through difficult times. And indeed he was the pillar of strength when I was weak, to hold my hand and remind me that I'm not walking alone.

Peter Pan and his Tinkerbelle

And today, even as I count down to our 3rd anniversary, I know that we have much to be thankful for in our marriage. And like I told my friends, marriage can be hard work. Yes, we still have to "work" at it everyday.

There are still days that we don't see eye to eye, bicker and lose our cool with each other. But what has worked is not taking each other for granted. And never delaying to say, sorry. Or thank you. Or I love you.

Baby Sophie is on the way

And what better reminder of our love than our dear baby that's on the way... Where there'll be a little of him and a little of me in a life that we create together.