Steven’s Big Day

I was up in KL last Friday for Steven’s wedding. It was a long hectic day with the customary bride-fetching in the morning followed by the Church Wedding before noon and dinner in the evening. It didn’t help that I arrived in Puduraya at 1am and slept for all 2 ½ hours before setting out for the day.

Childhood Chums
I have known Steven for a very long time now. Can’t pinpoint the exact moment we first met as my early childhood memory escapes me. We were together in Convent Kindergarten, then later as classmates in St.Andrew’s Primary and Secondary school. Staying just a street apart in the same Taman (housing estate) meant that we spent countless hours outside school exploring the small roads in our housing area on our bicycles, playing childhood games in the back lanes and discussing our favourite cartoon programmes.

then ... (primary one)

now ... (23 years later)

As we grew up, I was the more quiet and reserved one, while Steven was the more outspoken and fun-loving type. This was the perfect foil for me as our friendship meant that I was not left out from the popular activities. Steven grew up to be quite a talented musician and performer, honing his skills on the guitar in church and in numerous school performances.

Wedding to Remember
Back to the wedding. Yes, the dinner was a perfect event to close the memorable day. If you were an outsider, you might just think that there was a concert taking place on in the ballroom. No, we did not have one of those increasingly popular Karaoke sessions that are favourite among the elderly Chinese, instead we were treated to a night filled with song tributes by friends of the couple.

It started off unconventionally, not the usual grand entrance by the wedded couple, instead when the band started playing, Steven surprised everyone by emerging on stage crooning a love song as he slowly made his way to the main door to welcome in his bride. It was one of the most romantic sight and wedding entrance I had ever witness. It set the tone for the night, as close friends took turns to perform songs on stage. It helped too that we had a great band to accompany the singers. The guests were all well entertained and could be forgiven if they mistakenly think that they were part of the audience in a ‘Wedding Singer Idol competition’. In fact some were still singing when all the other guests had left.

steven, with the bride and a song on his lips

Another bachelor bites the dust
Reality only dawns on me after all the pomp and fanfare has subsided that another one of my close friends had taken the plunge into marriage life. Sigh … the pool of single friends are dwindling but life goes on.