After I got the ring, I was really excited and I really couldn’t wait to inform my family and Mels'. In fact, I was so excited that I couldn’t wait to tell her (but obviously I couldn't!) Haha!

I tried to be really patient and had to tell them one at a time. Firstly, I made time to go back home to tell my parents and family while my Elder sister was still in Singapore.

I went to the kitchen with my Dad and Mum inside and I told them directly, “Daddy Mummy, I bought the engagement ring already.”

I was pretty excited to tell them but Dad’s reaction kinda threw me off guard as he questioned the price and carat of the ring and kinda reprimanded me for getting a “bad deal”. Another of my family members then said something untactful that kinda upset me even more.

Usually I don’t throw tantrums or quarrel at home, but I was really upset at that moment and refused to talk to them when they tried to probe further on when I was planning the proposal and if I needed help.

I replied, “It’s ok, I don’t wish to tell all of you anymore, it’s none of your business.”

After that, I went out for work and on the way I whatsapped my family in the family group chat we always had:

After this long message to my family, they apologized and congratulated me. Even my dad sent me a personal message to apologize. Of course I forgave him immediately and told him that I love him. To me, it is a really courageous and humbling act to apologize to your children or someone who is supposedly of a “lower status” than you, so it is only right to forgive immediately. I do apologize to my younger sister and brother if I had upset them too.

I hesitated whether or not to share this story because I never liked to hang my dirty laundry in public. I believe every family has problems but it is important to dispel any negative emotions and not let the bad feelings build up. It is unhealthy for the relationships.

Typing this message is a sharing of my emotions to my family, it is confiding and most importantly, it is the first step towards reconciliation. For the past few months I wasn’t on very good terms with my younger sister but this step that I took in messaging and slowly talking to her, bridged back the gap between us and not only did she help me tremendously in my proposal decorations and did an awesome job in it, our relationship now is back to old times or maybe even better.

My family is of utmost importance to me. They are the people that I am willing to die for, and also the people I am willing to live for. And Melody and her family will soon be integrated with mine. And for as long as I knew how to pray, I always end with my prayers with,