50 pioneer generation couples share their love stories in book

50 elderly couples renew vows at event
All have been married for at least half a century, with their stories now compiled into a book
By Cheryl Faith Wee and Carolyn Khew, The Sunday Times, 8 Feb 2015

Love was in the air yesterday, the kind that lasts a generation.

At a restaurant in Geylang, 50 elderly couples who have been married for at least half a century renewed their vows in front of family and friends. For some of these couples, who were mostly in their 70s and 80s, it was their first time making such a public declaration.

Said 78-year-old retiree Chong Siew Chin, who wed 81-year-old retiree Eng Theng Sing more than five decades ago: "Back then, we just went to register our marriage. It was very simple. I'm so happy to be able to do this now."

The vows recited yesterday said, "I as your spouse, renew my marriage vow to you. I will continue to love you, honour you, provide for you and cherish you... and swear to love you for as long as we both shall live."

The romantic relationships of the 50 pioneer generation couples, along with pictures of traditional wedding celebrations, have also been compiled into a book, Golden Jubilee Love Stories. One story tells of how Mr Abdulla Tyebally, 79, and Madam Evelyne Tyebally, 80, started off as pen pals before they met while studying in London.

The book was launched by Emeritus Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong at yesterday's event. In its foreward, ESM Goh hoped the couple's "heart-warming" stories would inspire younger generations in maintaining healthy marriages and family lives, at a time when divorce is getting more common.

Four browsing copies of the books will be available at the community clubs within Marine Parade GRC and Mountbatten SMC and a few will be in Marine Parade Public Library and Geylang East Public Library as well. They will not be for sale, but the couples featured in the book did receive copies.

Mr Tang Wing Kee, a 75-year-old retired teacher, is hoping to be able to get more books so that he will be able to give them to his five grandchildren. "Each of them should get a copy and then grandma and grandpa will autograph them. It is good for them to remember and to follow the good examples in the book," he said.

The Golden Jubilee Love 50 event was organised by Family Life Champions (FLCs) - a People's Association community initiative. During the event at Qian Xi (Paya Lebar) Restaurant, 47 younger couples also renewed their vows.

Organising chairman Raymond Wee, the FLC of Kembangan-Chai Chee Division, said it took about three months to track down the 50 couples, who hail from all over the island.

Mr Wee, a 55-year-old licensed solemniser who has overseen more than 500 marriages, has himself been married for 24 years. He said: "The most important thing is to respect and love each other, as today's couples have shown."

Blessed are the SG50 couples who celebrated their Golden Jubilee of marriage, love and devotion last night. They shared...
Posted by MParader on Sunday, February 8, 2015

Compromise their binding secret
By Cheryl Faith Wee, The Sunday Times, 8 Feb 2015

The first time Mr Mahn Singh Bajaj set eyes on his wife was on a train ride from Bangkok to Kuala Lumpur 67 years ago.

Theirs had been an arranged marriage, and Madam Suhinder Kaur, 85, lived in Thailand with her family at the time.

Mr Mahn, now 87, had to take a train and two ferries from the Malaysian capital to fetch his bride home.

And the blushing 18-year-old bride remained veiled until they were on the train.

A lifetime after that first meeting, the couple are still shy about their initial impressions of each other. When pressed, both said they felt "okay" when they laid eyes on each other that first time.

Their feelings have since deepened.

"If I had to marry someone again, I would still choose to marry my wife," said Mr Mahn, who runs an import and export business.

Asked how they felt about renewing their vows yesterday, they exchanged glances coyly before Madam Suhinder Kaur said: "It was exciting. It was our first time doing this."

They have six children aged between 50 and 65, and 18 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.

And the secret to their lasting relationship, said Mr Mahn, was being willing to compromise, even in small matters.

Food a part of their relationship
By Cheryl Faith Wee, The Sunday Times, 8 Feb 2015

Mr Syed Mohammad Syed Umar Shahab, 83, has eaten many delicious meals, courtesy of his wife, in the 54 years they have been married.

But he admits that the very first dish she cooked was hard to swallow.

It was about two years into their marriage and Madam Sharifah Noraini Syed Hussein Alsagoff, 77, was preparing dinner for the first time - the couple had just moved from her parents' home, where maids had done the cooking, into their new home in a kampung.

Not sure of how to clean a fish, she washed it with soap. Said Mr Syed, a retired meteorological officer: "Not wanting to discourage her, I said the fish was good. I got a bad tummy ache later that night."

Madam Sharifah eventually became a superb cook who now gives cooking classes and often prepares meals for her two children and six grandchildren.

Said the housewife: "I love my husband - he is loving and always cares for me. From the start of our relationship, he has always been a 'yes man' to me."

The couple had first met at a picnic organised by friends and waited for seven years before tying the knot, while Mr Syed saved up for their wedding.

Said Mr Syed: "During the picnic, I was watching her all the time because she was the busiest. I thought to myself that she must be a good girl because she was helping so much."

He still cannot take his eyes off his wife.

"She is the jovial type and when I am with her, I am happy all the time," he said.

No harsh words even after six decades
By Carolyn Khew, The Sunday Times, 8 Feb 2015

They have been together for more than six decades, but their children have never heard them exchange a harsh word.

Yesterday, Mr Lim Sai Meng, 91, and his wife, Madam Poh Boon Quee, 86, renewed their vows after 67 years of marriage.

It was a joyous affair, as they went on stage with five other couples for the ceremony, which ended with hugs and kisses all round.

Their five children, aged 54 to 61, were all at the celebratory dinner.

Granddaughter Janet Ong, 34, described the couple as the binding force of their family, and noted that everybody gathered at their home in Aljunied for meals each weekend.

"Sometimes they shout at each other and people may think they are fighting," said the social media strategist with a smile.

"But it's actually because they can't hear each other."

The couple, who have 13 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren, met for the first time on their wedding day in Anxi county, in China's Fujian province.

Mr Lim, who used to run his own traditional Chinese medicine business, said in Hokkien that his wife was a "filial daughter-in-law" who took good care of the family.

As for his advice for a good marriage?

"Give and take. Never let an argument go unresolved before the night ends."