Their friendship sparked off when Emily was producing and directing a Christmas drama entitled, “the Journey”. As usual, she was headhunting people for jobs and asked a friend for referral who gave her Terence’s contact in Singapore. He seemed extremely eloquent over the phone; she couldn’t help but ask him for his feedback on her script. Their friendship started off with the back and forth of editing of scripts for the Christmas play. Her first impression was good – he had a great sense of humour. But she didn’t think of him anymore than a friend she just got to know and an ex-colleague she never knew (yea, they were once upon a time ex-colleagues!).
For quite some time, Emily Foo and Terence Chong were just voices on the other end of the phone. They would spend countless hours emailing and chatting with each other on Messenger without having met face to face. “I was quite curious to see what he looked like,” admits Emily.
Over the course of “the Journey” of online chats and brief conversations on the phone, they finally met up on Christmas day of 2003. There was no disappointment. Terence came to pick her up for the big day. They were pleasantly thrilled with the overall production with the support of an expert technical crew and talented actors. That afternoon, they went to watch a movie together, the Lord of the Rings.
In the gardens of Rivendell, Terence and Emily stand atop of a bridge. Emily felt as though the heavens opened up and a full symphony orchestra began to play:
"O môr henion i dhû:
Ely siriar, êl síla.
Ai! Aníron Undómiel.
Tiro! Êl eria e môr.
I 'lîr en êl luitha 'úren.
Ai! Aníron…"
(From darkness I understand the night: dreams flow, a star shines.
Ah! I desire Evenstar.
Look! A star rises out of the
darkness.The song of the star enchants my heart.
Ah! I desire…)
Terence placed his hands over her shoulders and at his touch, her cheeks were tear bedewed and her eyes dimmed with emotion. For a long time now, she had not known a love such as this. “She has found the one whom her soul loves.” Song of Songs 3:4. “It is hers to give to whom she will… like her heart." Soul mates, at once, they were. Realizing their love will never die they have the greatest freedom anyone can have, the freedom to love each other deeply without fear. This gift of love washed over them, transforming everything in sight.
They were taken to an unexpected yet Godly place. Led by lots of prayer, counseling coupled with much laughter and tears. To their surprise, they shared the same feelings. They both knew they wanted to begin courting with the mutual desire of marriage. Their intentions were made clear from the beginning and Emily placed their relationship in the hands of her Heavenly father (Terence did not know the Father at this time). Their adventure of Christian courtship was just beginning to bloom.
Then a period of darkness dawned that moved both of them to depths of grief. Terence’s dad passed away a couple of days after they met before the year ended in 2003. Exactly a year had passed, Emily’s dad returned to the Lord, a day after the Tsunami, on 27th Dec 04. Their hearts grieved at the sudden loss of their dads.
During this time, Terence and Emily held on to each other even through a long distance relationship. They committed themselves to putting God first in all that they did. There was so much hunger in their souls for God to fill; they had become like a sponge soaking up everything they could from God during this time of waiting. Pure trust and loving gratitude wrapped themselves around them both, uniting their souls as one. They laughed, cried, jumped with joy and then, stood still in reverie.
Their seasons included: church seminars, sharing devotions, starting Evenstar (Emily’s business), a season at the School of Acts (for Emily), fellowship with each other’s cell groups, date nights, traveling to and fro Singapore to meet each other, mission trips, traveling through many sunsets in different countries together, conquering Mt Kinabalu, sign language classes, in-line skating classes, cell retreats, ministering at the old folks home, pre-marital counselling sessions and time spent with family. They grew a deep appreciation for each other but like any other couple; they were tested along the way. They believe one thing that brought them close together was their determination to see personal breakthroughs for themselves, their families and the lives of others.
With the Lord at their center, they resolved conflicts by turning their focus back to Him. Slowly but surely, they had become so fond of each other that they could transcend the simplest of tasks like buying groceries into the most enjoyable experience. They began to see how they seemed to be designed for each other, being that all of their hopes, dreams, and standards seemed to align pretty well. They agreed to maintain purity of this relationship intended for marriage.
Time only confirmed the Lord's peace - they wanted to spend the rest of their lives with each other. They set a date to be married, July 7, 2007 – triple sevens to signify God’s perfection and holiness and their journey towards it. This date marks the beginning of their new journey together.
On this day, they shall seal the covenant of their love unto God and to each other that they have purposed in their hearts to live their lives as one that they may be a blessing to others. This day shall also be a day of fulfillment of their heart’s desire that will enable the two of them to fulfill His call to bring completion and wholeness to their lives as individuals and as a couple for His glory.
Thank you for sharing this special day with your support and prayers!
