One came from Hong Kong, crossing oceans to the United States in pursuit of a dream to become a clinical psychologist. She arrived in Houston for a postdoctoral fellowship, not knowing where her journey would lead or what the future held. Her life, though rich with ambitions and achievements, was still a canvas waiting to be painted. She had settled into the rhythms of independence, relishing the freedom of single life, yet the longing for a deeper connection stirred quietly in her heart. The other had worked tirelessly in his role, immersed in the world of statistical analysis at the medical center. He had already found his place in Houston and made the decision to stay. Like the gentle persistence of a river carving its path through rock, his life had become a steady flow. He too had embraced the solace of solitude, finding contentment in the single life, unaware that fate was quietly preparing a new chapter for him. Two people, seemingly worlds apart—each pursuing their own path, enjoying their own version of freedom—had one thing in common: they were both content in their singleness, unaware that their lives were about to converge in a most extraordinary way. In the serendipitous tapestry of fate, the two souls were drawn together in the most unexpected of places: church. One Sunday, Jackie, the wise and nurturing Sunday school teacher, approached Zoey with a simple request: to help welcome and talk to a newcomer. Without a second thought, Jackie grabbed Zoey’s hand and led her toward Hong. Zoey, though a newcomer herself, smiled inwardly at the irony and accepted the invitation to speak with this stranger. It was Hong’s first time at church, and Zoey found herself intrigued by his humble demeanor and quiet intelligence. She, ever the curious soul, asked him questions, not realizing how the spark of interest was quietly being kindled in both of them. Hong, in turn, couldn’t help but be drawn to her warmth and openness, wondering why this lady—whom he had just met—was so eager to connect with him. From that first encounter, their lives slowly intertwined in the spaces between fellowship, worship, and the Sunday lunches that followed. As Zoey navigated the uncertainty of what her next step would be, Hong, with his gentle kindness, quietly offered his support and encouragement. It wasn’t long before he asked her out for the first time—a simple gesture, yet it marked the beginning of a new chapter. It was as if their hearts, once solitary, had finally begun to beat in unison. From that moment, the world seemed a little brighter, a little more connected, as their souls began their dance together. And so, our story began—a journey of two seemingly different lives converging in the most beautiful and unexpected way.

Hong has always been a stable, calm, and composed person—someone who navigated life with quiet certainty. To Zoey’s surprise, as our relationship blossomed, Hong was far more invested than she had ever imagined. His calm exterior hid a desire and commitment for something more, something deeper. The First Proposal Before we were even officially a couple, there was a moment when Hong, with his characteristic subtlety, casually suggested the idea of marriage. The way he brought it up left Zoey stunned, as though he was quietly planting a seed of possibility between them even before official dating. She thought that the idea seemed bold, almost too bold. However, when she sought clarity, Hong, ever the master of understatement, denied any deeper intention. It wasn’t until we were officially dating that Hong finally admitted that, yes, he had been serious after all. The Second Proposal By the end of our first month together, the ring Zoey always wore had gone missing. She searched her apartment and checked the usual spots in his car, but it was nowhere to be found. Just as she was about to give up, Hong, ever observant, gently teased, “Are you looking for this?” and, to her amazement, held out the very ring she had been searching for. Then, in his typical understated way, Hong asked her, “Will you marry me?” Zoey, her heart racing with a mixture of amusement and disbelief, blurted out, “So it was with you!”—more surprised by the playful nature of his gesture than the proposal itself. She couldn't help but smile in her heart. But Hong was persistent. “Then... will you marry me?” he asked again, his eyes earnest and searching. Laughing lightly, Zoey slipped the ring back onto her finger and jokingly replied, “Yes,” not fully realizing the gravity of the moment. It was playful, spontaneous, and sweet. But then, a sudden realization hit her. Was this for real? Was this truly a proposal, or was she misunderstanding the situation? She quickly clarified, “Wait... this doesn’t count. This is just my ring!” At that moment, both of us knew that we had shared something special—but Zoey wasn’t entirely sure if this was the proposal. The Final Proposal Then came August 2, 2024—a day that would mark the beginning of the rest of our lives together. Zoey was in the kitchen busy washing dishes when Hong came around. He said to her as if it was a big deal that something might be wrong with Tiger, her beloved cat. Concerned, Zoey spun around, anxiously searching for any signs that Tiger might be hurt. But then, her gaze fell upon Tiger’s new and beautiful collar, which she hadn’t noticed before. With a crafty smile and a knowing look, Hong guided her attention to what was on the collar. And there, there tied the engagement ring! It was at that moment that Zoey realized, with a heart full of emotions, what was finally happening. Hong still jokingly asked whether he still needed to knee down. After a positive affirmation, he feigned impatience to cover his nervousness and gently took the ring from Tiger's collar, dropped to one knee, and looked up at her with sincerity in his eyes. "Will you marry me?" he asked, his voice filled with hope and love. Overwhelmed by the gesture, Zoey’s heart surged with emotion. She nodded, her voice trembling, “Yes,” followed by a heartfelt hug. It was the proposal she had never dreamed of—intimate, thoughtful, and full of meaning. Hong’s quiet persistence and unwavering love had led us to this moment, and Zoey knew, deep in her heart, that this was the beginning of a beautiful new chapter. What’s Next? And so, here we stand—two individuals who have chosen to let go of our single lives and walk forward, side by side. Our differences, which can be our obstacles, or the very fabric that weaves our love together. Hand in hand, heart to heart, we are ready to embrace the future and write the next beautiful chapter of our shared story, with all its challenges and joys, as partners in life and love.