{"id":46345,"date":"2019-06-30T14:40:09","date_gmt":"2019-06-30T06:40:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.lifestinymiracles.com\/?p=46345"},"modified":"2019-07-02T09:53:58","modified_gmt":"2019-07-02T01:53:58","slug":"20th-wedding-anniversary","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.lifestinymiracles.com\/2019\/06\/20th-wedding-anniversary\/","title":{"rendered":"A Letter to our Children, on our 20th Wedding Anniversary"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"860\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.lifestinymiracles.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/WeddingRenewalInvite-ForBlog.jpg?resize=860%2C1024&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-46363\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.lifestinymiracles.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/WeddingRenewalInvite-ForBlog.jpg?resize=860%2C1024&amp;ssl=1 860w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.lifestinymiracles.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/WeddingRenewalInvite-ForBlog.jpg?resize=252%2C300&amp;ssl=1 252w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.lifestinymiracles.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/WeddingRenewalInvite-ForBlog.jpg?resize=768%2C915&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.lifestinymiracles.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/WeddingRenewalInvite-ForBlog.jpg?w=1142&amp;ssl=1 1142w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 860px) 100vw, 860px\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"690\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.lifestinymiracles.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/TwentiethWeddingAnniversary05.jpg?resize=1000%2C690&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-46351\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.lifestinymiracles.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/TwentiethWeddingAnniversary05.jpg?w=1000&amp;ssl=1 1000w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.lifestinymiracles.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/TwentiethWeddingAnniversary05.jpg?resize=300%2C207&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.lifestinymiracles.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/TwentiethWeddingAnniversary05.jpg?resize=768%2C530&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"text-align:center\"><strong><em>Dedicated to our children<\/em><\/strong>, <strong><em>Dana and Alexander<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Dear children,<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>While we pray that God will grant us the blessing of long life to be around when YOU celebrate your own wedding anniversaries, this post is just in case we can\u2019t be there. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We live in a world of constant changes.&nbsp; I can only imagine that when you two are adults, your world would be changing so much faster than ours. While some change is good, there are aspects of life that require a lot of work NOT to change.&nbsp; These are the areas that test your commitment, loyalty and dedication.&nbsp; Marriage is one of those. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Never for once believe that your parents\u2019\nmarriage was a smooth-sailing bed of roses. No. Like many married couples, we\nhave our disagreements, \u2018fights\u2019 and in fact, for your Mommy and Daddy, life\nitself threw us many tough challenges \u2013 childlessness, child losses, Mommy\u2019s\ncancer etc.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We, like many others, have to work really\nhard at it. Often with tears, sometimes with angry words, sometimes in cold-war\nsilence\u2026but always with prayer and a belief that all of these are \u2018small hurdles\u2019\ncompared to keeping our marriage vows and love for each other.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We held an intimate 20th Wedding Anniversary celebration this month in front of a small group of trusted friends and you were there to witness us reaffirm our vows. Buddy had often asked why was he and JieJie not invited to our wedding so we thought this is an apt milestone to rededicate our marriage to the Lord. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.lifestinymiracles.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/TwentiethWeddingAnniversary01.jpg?resize=1024%2C683&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-46347\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.lifestinymiracles.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/TwentiethWeddingAnniversary01.jpg?resize=1024%2C683&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.lifestinymiracles.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/TwentiethWeddingAnniversary01.jpg?resize=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.lifestinymiracles.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/TwentiethWeddingAnniversary01.jpg?resize=768%2C512&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.lifestinymiracles.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/TwentiethWeddingAnniversary01.jpg?w=1140&amp;ssl=1 1140w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1140\" height=\"760\" src=\"https:\/\/i1.wp.com\/www.lifestinymiracles.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/TwentiethWeddingAnniversary08.jpg?fit=1024%2C683&amp;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-46367\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.lifestinymiracles.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/TwentiethWeddingAnniversary08.jpg?w=1140&amp;ssl=1 1140w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.lifestinymiracles.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/TwentiethWeddingAnniversary08.jpg?resize=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.lifestinymiracles.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/TwentiethWeddingAnniversary08.jpg?resize=768%2C512&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.lifestinymiracles.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/TwentiethWeddingAnniversary08.jpg?resize=1024%2C683&amp;ssl=1 1024w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.lifestinymiracles.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/TwentiethWeddingAnniversary03.jpg?resize=1024%2C683&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-46349\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.lifestinymiracles.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/TwentiethWeddingAnniversary03.jpg?resize=1024%2C683&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.lifestinymiracles.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/TwentiethWeddingAnniversary03.jpg?resize=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.lifestinymiracles.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/TwentiethWeddingAnniversary03.jpg?resize=768%2C512&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.lifestinymiracles.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/TwentiethWeddingAnniversary03.jpg?w=1140&amp;ssl=1 1140w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Here are some tips Daddy and Mommy hope to leave with you on how we \u2018survived\u2019 20 years of marriage, in the hope that yours will surpass ours.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li><strong>Never settle<\/strong> &#8211; Always work at your marriage. Accept that there are happy moments but there are trying moments as well. Each plays a part in strengthening and maturing your marriage.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul><li><strong>Be honest with each other<\/strong> \u2013Work at being\nopen and honest with each other. Learn to be accepting and forgiving when we\nhear the truth. Revealing the truth is tough, but accepting the truth can be\nharder. Once we hear the truth, accept it and work at it. Truth builds upon\ntrust and trust is important in a marriage.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul><li><strong>Give each other space<\/strong> \u2013 As much as we\nlove to be together, we are also individuals with our own God-given talents,\ninterests and personalities.&nbsp; Give each\nother space to be who we are. Give each other space also when we are upset. BUT,\nalways set a time to come back together.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul><li><strong>Listen more than you talk<\/strong> \u2013 This is\ntough but really necessary.&nbsp; We are\nalways tempted to give opinions, solutions, and judgments. Unless it\u2019s an\nemergency, suspend your judgments. Take time to listen thoughtfully. Manage\nyour emotions and then offer your thoughts appropriately. <\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul><li><strong>Discover new experiences together, as often as you can<\/strong> \u2013 Mommy and Daddy didn\u2019t do any couple trips as we believe in\nexperiencing the world with our children and including you in the core family memories.\nBe it a new durian stall, a new movie or a new country. Take time to discover\nnew experiences or relive them together. Even as we discover new places, we\ndiscover too about one another. <\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul><li><strong>Never blame<\/strong> \u2013 When things happen, and\nthey will, never blame. With childlessness, childloss and illnesses etc\u2026we accept\nthat we live in a fallen world, our bodies will fail us, people will disappoint\nus (including each other.) Blaming doesn\u2019t solve anything. Pray deeply, think\nthoughtfully, cling on to each other (and God) and go through it together. <\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul><li><strong>Hold each others\u2019 hands more than your hand phones<\/strong> \u2013 It\u2019s so easy to be distracted these days with so many legitimate\ndemands but nothing can be as necessary as the relationships we have with each\nother.&nbsp; Put the devices down and hold the\nhands, hug and embrace your loved ones. Devices depreciate but relationships\nshould appreciate if you nurture it well. <\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul><li><strong>Kiss and say \u2018I love you\u2019 daily<\/strong> \u2013 This\ncannot be implied and must be done explicitly. I\u2019m not sure if you remember but\nDaddy would always says it to you both at least once a day, especially at bed\ntime or in the morning before we all leave for work.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul><li><strong>\u2018Momento Mori\u2019<\/strong> \u2013 Always remember that we\nwill all die one day and we cannot take anything with us except the love we\nhave experienced with each other. Strive to leave behind loving memories and a\nstrong legacy for your loved ones to remember you by.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul><li><strong>Trust in God<\/strong> \u2013 Everyone starts off wanting their marriages to last for a long time. For something that \u2018big\u2019, you have to trust something or someone \u2018bigger\u2019 than yourself to bring you through the challenges within or beyond yourselves.&nbsp; Besides, our God is a God of love. He created love. He is love. Know Him. Trust Him. Worship Him. <\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Having being married for 20 years, Mommy and Daddy would still happily, willingly, say &#8216;We Still Do&#8217; all over again in a heartbeat. On this point, this is our marriage verse which we hold close to our hearts all these years.&nbsp; Its truth has always comforted and assured us even in the darkest times. May it inspire and strengthen your own relationships too now and in the days to come.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"text-align:center\"><em>Though one may be overpowered,<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"text-align:center\"><em>two can defend themselves.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"text-align:center\"><em>A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"text-align:center\"><em><strong>Eccl. 4:12 (NIV)<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"690\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.lifestinymiracles.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/TwentiethWeddingAnniversary06.jpg?resize=1000%2C690&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-46352\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.lifestinymiracles.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/TwentiethWeddingAnniversary06.jpg?w=1000&amp;ssl=1 1000w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.lifestinymiracles.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/TwentiethWeddingAnniversary06.jpg?resize=300%2C207&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.lifestinymiracles.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/TwentiethWeddingAnniversary06.jpg?resize=768%2C530&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.lifestinymiracles.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/TwentiethWeddingAnniversary04.jpg?resize=1024%2C683&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-46350\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.lifestinymiracles.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/TwentiethWeddingAnniversary04.jpg?resize=1024%2C683&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.lifestinymiracles.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/TwentiethWeddingAnniversary04.jpg?resize=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.lifestinymiracles.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/TwentiethWeddingAnniversary04.jpg?resize=768%2C512&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.lifestinymiracles.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/TwentiethWeddingAnniversary04.jpg?w=1140&amp;ssl=1 1140w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/><figcaption>Thank God for sustaining us for 20 years. Trusting God for more 20 years together! <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>Acknowledgements:<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We would like to thank the following :<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>Our trusted pastor and family friend, Reverend Philip Heng for officiating and blessing our vow reaffirmation.<\/li><li>My trusted photog-friend, Koh Sze Kiat for the day&#8217;s photography. Check out Sze Kiat&#8217;s works at <a href=\"https:\/\/www.oddinary.com.sg\/\">https:\/\/www.oddinary.com.sg\/<\/a> <\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>Useful Contact:<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Wedding Cake:  <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sarahsloft.net\/\">https:\/\/www.sarahsloft.net\/<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Wedding Cake Topper:  <a href=\"https:\/\/www.urbanlil.com\/\">https:\/\/www.urbanlil.com\/<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Wedding Bouquet:  <a href=\"http:\/\/helloflowers.sg\/\">http:\/\/helloflowers.sg\/<\/a> <\/p>\n<p><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>A letter dedicated to our children as we celebrate our 20th Wedding Anniversary.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":46349,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[303,221,62,223,38,138,175,500],"tags":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.lifestinymiracles.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/TwentiethWeddingAnniversary03.jpg?fit=1140%2C760&ssl=1","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p59hHF-c3v","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lifestinymiracles.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/46345"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lifestinymiracles.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lifestinymiracles.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lifestinymiracles.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lifestinymiracles.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=46345"}],"version-history":[{"count":18,"href":"https:\/\/www.lifestinymiracles.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/46345\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":46374,"href":"https:\/\/www.lifestinymiracles.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/46345\/revisions\/46374"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lifestinymiracles.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/46349"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lifestinymiracles.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=46345"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lifestinymiracles.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=46345"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lifestinymiracles.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=46345"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}