TO be honest, I am not entirely sure how to organise my thoughts and put them into words for this week’s column.
On Saturday (Feb 17), a life-changing event took place – I tied the knot with someone who I have known for half my life.
Zaimie and I first met when we were 13-years-old as schoolmates at Green Road Secondary School.
I was enrolled there temporarily in 2010 when my family and I returned to Kuching from the United Kingdom (UK) when my mum needed to do data collection for her studies.
The enrollment was to comply with the UK’s education policy whereby they require proof to show that I was receiving education during the three months I was away.
I remember being referred to by other students as ‘Sarah UK’ during my Green Road days because there were three other girls who were named Sarah as well.
Both Zaimie and I can recall vividly our first encounter, which was at the school’s main entrance – he was a trainee prefect on duty to catch students who were coming late to school, and unfortunately, I was late on that day.
However, Zaimie was kind enough to let me in without jotting down my name.
After the three months, I returned to the UK, and we lost touch until 2016.
I was hanging out with a mutual friend, Azreen Octavious, who posted a picture of us on his social media, which caught Zaimie’s attention.
Through Azreen, he tried asking me out thrice to no avail, but I caved in on his fourth attempt out of pity.
Our first hangout was accompanied by my high school friend, Allia Allisa who was one of my nine bridesmaids for my solemnisation ceremony.
To cut the story short, we have had our ups and downs as well as countless uphill and downhill battles.
We had to endure a long-distance relationship; we took some time off from each other for personal growth and to be our own individual persons.
Our love story is not a bed of roses, and the journey was not a smooth flight.
However, I am glad we went through the hardships and found our way back to each other.
It is funny to think that when I was younger, I used to fantasise about being married by the age of 25.
In reality, I got married at the age of 27, and I am more than okay with this.
I know some people, especially us ladies, often stress about reaching life chapters at certain points, but sometimes, life does get in the way, and that’s okay.
Encountering setbacks in life should not be a deterrent nor demotivation because perhaps there are greater things that should happen before reaching certain life chapters.
Life has its own timeline, and sometimes it’s not what we expect, but in the end, it always unfolds exactly as it should.
So, to all the ladies out there feeling the pressure to reach certain milestones by a certain age, trust in the journey and embrace the unexpected detours.
They might just lead you to your greatest blessings.
For me, those extra years brought so much growth, both individually and in my relationship with Zaimie.
We learned more about ourselves, about each other, and about what we truly wanted in life.
Those years allowed us to mature and understand the value of commitment and partnership on a deeper level.
And now, as I step into this new chapter of my life as a wife, I am grateful for every twist and turn that led me to this moment.
With that, I have included one of my favourite poems that I would like to dedicate to my beloved husband.
Wedding Poem by Whitney Hanson Poetry
They say that sometimes
love starts with a spark.
And that might be true,
but if I were to wish you a love,
I wouldn’t wish fire for you.
You see, fire is powerful.
It burns bright and then it’s gone.
It’s beautiful and warm,
but it doesn’t last long.
So instead of wishing you a love that burns,
I wish you a love like a river twists and turns.
It changes and it flows,
It is powerful and free.
But it consistently finds its way back to the sea.
And so like the water,
I hope your love is ever growing, ever changing.
I hope your love is powerful and free,
And may you always find each other,
Like a river finds the sea.
