We asked a few friends what might people like to know about us. Here's what they came up with:
- 1) What was your first impression of each other?
- E: I thought he was rather quiet and serious... this was back in 2006.
L: I thought she was pretty interesting. Someone exciting that I'd like to get to know. - 2) When was the first time you noticed each other?
- L: I kinda noticed her already at that first meeting in life group. It wasn't till I was more involved in church and in KFC that I began to really NOTICE her.
E: Probably in 2006 or 2007... After church service during lunch. He wore a light blue t-shirt. I thought he was a snob. - 3) Why him? Why her?
- L: She loves God. She looks good. She's good with kids. She's good with adults. She's kind. She's responsible. She's confident. She fits the bill.
E: We connect really well together, we have great conversations, he makes me laugh when I'm meant to be sad, he values my thoughts and I guess he makes me feel so comfortable in just being myself. - 4) Where did Lionel take El for the first date, and what did he do?
- E: Centrestage cafe, at Chelsea, Melbourne. We just talked and had breakfast... it was a bit awkward.
- 5) What is the most embarrassing thing that happened during the date?
- E: Lionel had no money on him!! LOL!!!! And I had to pay.
L: Nothing *blank stare* - 6) What is the most romantic thing that he/she has done for you?
- L: She flew over to Singapore for 5 days for my birthday!!!
E: The love letters he wrote! Haha! Corny but sweet - 7) How did Lionel ask for El's parents' approval and what was their response?
- L: Brought her parents out for coffee and told them I had something to say to them. El's dad had 2 words for me: GOOD LUCK
E: We had breakfast at Mocha Jo's (at Glen Waverley) April 2011. Lionel said a whole bunch of stuff then asked "Can I marry Eleanor?" My mum said "yes, of course!" and my dad said "what? Can you say that again? I can't hear you." just to make it difficult for him ... then of course he said yes. But the 'asking for approval' began when Lionel took my parents out for lunch in the early stages of our courtship and was 'interviewed' about his intentions in this relationship. - 8) Are there any strong differences between the two of you that attracted you to him/her? What are they?
- L: Apart from the fact that she's a woman?? Well I wouldn't call the following strong differences but probably more what attracted me to her. I was attracted to the way she carried herself; with poise and grace. I love how she likes to plan and draw up her pros and cons table, whereas I do it all in my head. Her responsible nature and near perfectionist streak also endeared me to her.
E: Er.. trying to prove that opposites attract hmm? He's in finance I'm in health sciences. He went to Monash I went to Melbourne. I actually thought the whole finance thing was pretty exotic! - 9) What was the most enjoyable trip that both of you went on?
- L: Trip to India for her Public Health class. We went with a group of Melb Uni students to rural India in Pune for a month to observe and study the application of public health in villages in India. It was a great experience from nearly getting cheated by dishonest taxi drivers ( E: who have a way of bringing out the aggressive streak!!!) to hearing testimonies from village health workers and their patients and just witnessing how a little seed of concern goes a long way for those who are in need of some compassion.
E: Yeah, same here. The 3 weeks at the Comprehensive Rural Health Project (CRHP), Jamkhed. Check out http://www.jamkhed.org - 10) Describe the sort of couple both of you would be 10 years down the road.
- E: Madly in love with each other. A more intimate relationship with God. We would have more people in the family (kids) and less time for ourselves, less space in the house, very much involved in church, traveled more, more impact on other people's lives, hopefully less proud & more dependent on God. We will be where God wants us to be ... so stay tuned & pray for us.
L: We'd be a loving, cool and friendly couple. We'd travel places together, spend ourselves helping others. We'd love to be involved in kids and youth and in inspiring other couples to live for a purpose beyond themselves. We'd encourage and complement each other's passions. - 11) Was there love at first sight for any of you? What was the X-factor that dims down all the other "possibilities"?
- L: I wouldn't call it love at first sight. Possibly more attraction at 5th sight or something like that. I guess her X-factor was her confidence, her ability to handle children and responsibility and most importantly, she ticked ALL my boxes on a secret checklist I kept buried in the mountains high up in the Pyrenees. No one came close. Not one.
E: No, not really. I thought he was a snob remember? Hmm...During Born To Fly 2007, he and Jon Yong sneaked in and observed the program from the back of the hall (they were curious about BTF). That day he confessed having tears in his eyes when he watched the kids doing the "Billy Bob" song (*Billy Bob came home after school on a bright sunny day*...la la la... fun and catchy right?) and the BTF theme song. LOL! That was his X-factor! Another time, I was on MSN (I hardly chatted with him back then) and the first thing he said to me was "What do you think of worship?" as if he was disagreeing with some kind of definition of worship. That conversation went deeper than just an intellectual talk. (Ok, so this guy can be pretty deep - the X-factor). Later, getting to know him more, it really was the conversations we had that I enjoyed ... obviously the things that interest both of us. I discovered his openness to people in general, his easy-goingness, flexibility, teachability and sense of adventure and fun. He loves God and is committed to growing spiritually. The 'chemistry'-factor, however was during this 5 minute conversation we had on our walk from C-Block back to the main hall at Brentwood Sec. College after packing up KFC (Kids For Christ) early 2009. - 12. When did you first realise that he/she was the one? And how?
- L: It was on a holiday in Spain when I hiked up the Pyrenees, dug for days to get to my secret checklist and checked and realized that El ticked all the boxes on my list. Snow was falling all over the place and then it hit me straight in the face; she was the one I was looking for all this while. Well the real answer is....I don't think there was a time when it suddenly did strike me. I really did have a list and it was as simple as she ticking all those boxes and me feeling like I could connect and be comfortable around her.
E: After our 'chemistry' conversation it dawned on me that he just MIGHT be the one. Then of course I prayed. About 4-5 months later, we were playing pool at Kenneth's house... it dawned on me a little more that he MIGHT be the one. Then of course, I prayed again. We chatted more on MSN... then I prayed. Yeah, you get the drift.
