Happy 7th to my Funnier Half!

Changi Airport, September 2001 (couldn’t find a good earlier photo)

In an MSN conversation with Yinwei a few weeks ago, she commented that I’d married a comedian, and that *that* was very suited to me. (I never got to ask why she thought a comedian suited me…Yinwei, tell me again why?) I thought of that again, as I was thinking about what to blog on my 7th anniversary with Zibin.

With so many wonderful attributes, it’s hard for me to pick a favourite thing about the wonderful human being that is my husband (to-be). But lately, perhaps because of the relative hard times that I’ve been experiencing, I’ve been especially appreciative of his ability to make me laugh almost effortlessly (sometimes just by describing his day). He is the King of Corn (ok, he and John can compete for the title, though I think Zibin out-duhs John more often than the other way around). When you hear his jokes, you want to laugh and cry at the same time.

Today, my family in Singapore met Cathy’s family for the first time. During dinner, the topic of naming Cathy’s 4-month old nephew came up. And later on, in their own car, Zibin and my family started ‘brain-storming’ for our future children. Zibin’s idea? Just give the kid a singular name: å¿…. With his surname, that would be 何必 *sighs*. And that’s not all. Zibin said, the kid can be called ‘Happy’ in English. ‘Happy Hoo’. Of course, my dad had to chime in with a name for the second child we might have: 何苦. And then, my darling little brother decides that it’d be cool for him to have a nephew called 何马 (sounds like ‘hippo’). It was a good thing I wasn’t actually in the car with them at the time, or else there would have been a lot of punctured ear-drums from my shrieks of protest. See what I mean? How is one supposed to remain sane with a family like this? *grin*

耳濡目染, I can’t help getting influenced by all the corn that surrounds me. I would have been a different person today if not for this funny man of mine. Zibin used to get concerned at how he was corrupting me from my er…’higher culture’ tastes. He is especially concerned at my picking up Hokkien terms, and at my increasing deftness at not only appreciating, but also making, corny jokes. At such times, he likes to tease me,“What would your St. Nicks teachers say? What would your friends think?” Well, Zibin, I don’t think they would be that surprised, really. Because of you, I’ve come to appreciate a whole new dimension of Singaporean culture, and explored a whole new side of myself. I think I’m a more interesting and well-rounded person now because of your *ahem* ‘bad influence’.

Most of Zibin’s friends know only the Funny Man. Oh and they know he’s dependable and ready to help anyone in need. But until more recently, not many people were privileged to have witnessed his wisdom. After 7 years, I’m slowly becoming more and more aware of his many facets. This is a guy who can make me laugh myself silly in one moment and give me advice with profound insight and wisdom the next. This is a man who at all times make me feel like his equal, his partner…cherished, protected, and loved…but also deeply respected and admired despite my many imperfections. I hardly feel worthy of the love of such a wonderful being…but the beauty of this relationship is precisely that neither of us feels worthy, but yet are both profoundly grateful for the gift of each other. I have learned so much from this relationship, and from my other-half. :)

Zibin’s mother was tickled that our anniversary was ‘the day after April’s Fool Day’. It is funny, yet somehow very apt for us. In 1999, Zibin and I were steeped in deep conversation about whether or not to make a commitment to each other. And when we decided that we were going to embark on this journey together, we looked up at the clock, and it was just past midnight on April 2nd. I think there was a sense of relief that we had just missed April’s Fool :P

Anyway, I think our relationship, like ourselves, is full of interesting contradictions. Serious and mature at times, but silly and fun in the most delightful ways too. And it’s really because of that corny/funny and absolutely Singaporean side of this relationship that I’m ‘dedicating’ two songs that remind me of my Funnier Half.

Happy 7th, Zibin! Let’s pray that God will continue to be King in our lives and our First Love!

Budak Pantai – Tribute To Titanic.mp3

Kopi Kat Klan – Ice Kacang