The first week of April

It was one crazy week which kicked off with us going to his firm's Tax Gala at the Doltone House. It was a masquerade ball and I must say I love them! The enigmatic atmosphere of it all often evokes a very romantic Romeo meets Juliet ambience that I cannot seem to find elsewhere.

Then I flew out to Melbourne and caught up with my cousins whom hadn't seen the ring or heard the proposal story yet so we share. Jac comments: "Don't worry you can always upgrade the ring later" And whilst I know I am hearing it out of context, in my mind I am squeamish... no! I could never upgrade on my husband! Its with everything in life... you can always have a better model, but it depends how long you are willing to hold out for. As for me, I know that at each point of my life, Mah Boo is the best model for that time in place for me and so I could not complain. (How mushy is that?)

Whilst sitting in a conference in Melbourne, Boo calls and I slip out to pick up the call.
"I hope you don't mind, but I made an offer on the Hayward place"

"The what place? What? How much?"

"The triangle place."

*steadies myself* *mental gulp* and I am sure with an uncertain quiver in my voice, " Wow"

"And the vendor's accepted"

"Have you talked  to your parents? Are they backing this?"

"Yes. They told me to make the offer"

"Oh..."

***
And then after exchanging contracts and putting down the 10% deposit, we strode along the busy night streets of Sydney that fateful Friday night and he said, "I said this two years ago when I bought my place and I'll say it again. It doesn't matter what else happens for the rest of this year. It is already a wonderful year!"

Now I know it is a dilapidated cottage and that it isn't anybody's dream home yet... but it is ours, and it is in the suburb where we met and want to live out the rest of our lives in. So we can be like his parents and extend the place later on. I love it more and more the more I think of it. I can't wait to get married out of there!

Photo inspirations

Here are some picutres that have inspired me for my own day!

My reception dress - First Glimpse

Oh, my seamstress in Singapore emailed us to tell us my dress is ready! I am so excited and can't wait till I have it on hand! Whoop whoop!

Bridesmaids' dresses

Yesterday we went shopping, all four of us at Bondi Westfield. And I think we've found our dresses! I am so glad I said to each of them that I am not expecting them to wear the same dress eventhough no one truly wanted to listen to me and just thought that I was being an unconventional bride and being difficult. I had to end up telling them that this is New York chic before they would buy the idea at all! This is what I would like to say to each of them to really explain what I feel:

The reason I was adamant about you three wearing different dresses is because I personally find it demeaning that I make my friends wear the same dress and walk around as part of my wedding rather than the three individual and strong women that I love and have chosen to be by my side at my most special moments. I chose each of you for the different strengths you have and know that throughout the wedding process I can rely on each of you for different things and that I will be most able to keep sane with you girls around me. So on the day, my wish is for everyone to realise that I love you three for all the tears and laughs that you have shared with me and see how beautiful each of you are in your ways and your own flair.

And if you have been wondering just how beautifully different these three are. Here's a sneak peek for what's to come!

Addendum: We are now going with just the one dress. As it turns out there is one dress that fits them all and shows them all as beautiful individuals and they would be confident in unity, so I have left them at that and have gone ahead and purchased three of one of the most beautiful bridesmaids dress that I have ever seen. 

Planning a new life ahead

We have been house hunting. Not because we we need a place to live in after we are married. We both own a property each. There really isn't much of an emotional attachment to the property we are seeking now. At least not yet. We have the strictest criteria based on potential capital gains, rather than where we would raise our kids.

Truth be told we have no money at the moment to sustain the purchase of a house in the location that he wants it in. So we would have to rent it out until we can. But I am letting him go ahead with the decisions because he is so manly. He doesn't want me to worry about the financial aspects of this purchase, saying he will take care of it. He is building our wealth portfolio and I am sure that we will be very comfortable in the future. I know this is him showing me his love and how much he cares about our future. Whilst I am focusing on the silly things like what colour the bridesmaids should wear, he has obviously realised what truly matters for me.

I have never expected someone will provide and take care of me. This is new and quite lovely actually. So I am really lucky. I will convince myself to stop worrying and accepting my role as his partner in crime from here on wards.