Operation YMH

After months of preparation and anticipation, Qi Qi and I were glad that our evening turned out splendidly and smoothly. This was in no small part thanks to all the help and unwaivering support rendered by our family, relatives and close friends, all of whom we extend our earnest appreciation to.

On a personal level, the highlight of my evening was the successful completion of Operation YMH. It was a plan which was initiated 3 months ago and which was set to be unveiled on the night.

I recall Qi Qi and I reviewing my 2009 resolutions at the start of this year. Written somewhere near the bottom of the list was "to pick up playing the digital piano", one of 3 other resolutions which remained unfulfilled. Having recalled how adamant I was in wanting to pick up playing the instrument, it suddenly seemed right to dedicate a song for my wife-to-be as a wedding gift. Surely, it would be something meaningful and memorable for the both of us!

And so I embarked on this mission, which I duly named Operation YMH (for Yamaha). It definitely wasn't easy because of several reasons. First up was obviously having to conceal the fact that I was taking piano lessons on the sly, especially so since the lessons were only available on weekday evenings which meant I had to do it after work. It was difficult making it on time on most days, and it also meant I had to tell Qi Qi lots of white lies along the way - for the times when I said I had to stay back late in school or was resting at home, I was in fact hidden away in a room on the 6th floor of Plaza Singapura banging away on the keyboard. Then there was the time pressure of having to master the song within 10 lessons. And of course, the biggest effort was to convince myself that I could do this in front of a crowd this big.

To say all these were intimidating would be taking it a tad lightly, but deep down, I knew I wanted to do this for Qi Qi.

It took countless hours of practice, many rehearsals with my buddies to improvise the song, and of course repititive crooning of the song in the presence of the ever-enduring ears at home. But when the spotlight became focused on me that night, and as I glanced at Qi Qi, I smiled at her and told myself - I am doing this for you, baby, and I know you will love it no matter how it turns out.

And so here it is once again - my promise to my best friend forever.

I will be here. =)

Tomorrow morning if you wake up, and the sun does not appear
I will be here
If in the dark we lose sight of love, hold my hand and have no fear
I will be here

I will be here, when you feel like being quiet
When you need to speak your mind, I will listen
And I will be here, when the laughter turns to crying
Through the winning, losing and trying - we'll be together
I will be here

Tomorrow morning if you wake up, and the future is unclear
I will be here
As sure as seasons are made for change, our lifetimes are made for years
So I will be here

I will be here, you can cry on my shoulder
When the mirror tells us we're older, I will hold you
And I will be here, to watch you grow in beauty
And tell you all the things you are to me
I will be here...

I will be true to the promise I have made
To you and to the one, who gave you to me...

I will be here
And just as sure as seasons are made for change
Our lifetimes are made for years
So I will be here - we'll be together
I will be here...