Happy Birthday

Yesterday was his birthday and was also our 588 days together. On this day, we have also rekindled our flame, the kind of feelings we have back in our courtship days.

It was meant to be a surprise birthday for him. Coincidentally,it was a weekday, both of us had to work and attend a wedding dinner at night, thus celebrating his birthday will have to be postponed to another day. So I decided to take an afternoon off to give him a surprise birthday. Hoping that this special day could bring him some joy and take him off the pressure that he has been facing.

All thanks to his cousin and friends who made this surprise birthday possible. Popped into his office with a birthday cake and song which made him so shy so shy that he has to immediately blow off the candle flame ^_^. Bought a chocolate truffle at Swiss Bake, one of their hot favourite --> Chocolate biscuit sandwich with truffle cream and with a touch of rum soaked raisins. Initially wanted to get their signature cake - Paradiso Di Nocciola, a hazelnut rocher sandwich with rum soaked vanilla biscuit, but the shop run out of it.

Chocolate Truffle (His birthday cake)

Paradiso Di Nocciola

And thanks to Zambuca at Pan Pacific Hotel's staff, who willingly extended their lunch hours to accomodate this birthday and presented him with a complimentary tiramisu birthday cake. I appreciated their efforts n professionalism. Everything was pre-arranged on the phone, the types of orders and requests I wanted. Everything was carried out according to the plan. A 2nd surprise for him. Though he didn't talk about it, you could feel that he appreciated the effort.

A snapshot of our lunch @Zambuca

He was exceptionally chirpy yesterday with all smiles on his face. This was the day when he talked a lot more than usual and a lot of sharings. Once again, I have gone another 2 levels up to his inner thoughts. Knowing his inner thoughts is important to me, because I can then better manage our expectations without being a mind-reader and improve on our relationship. Another thing that really made his day is his LCD tv. He has waited 2 years for his tv and finally we settled on a 32" Sharp at only $599 after all the searches and price comparisons. I was reluctant to get a new tv at first,but seeing his enthusiasm, I gave in eventually.

I learnt something. The phrases 'marriage is a tombstone' or 'a relationship has become stagnant' - these are all excuses. All it takes is a little effort from one party and a little appreciation from the other to rekindle the flame. Man, like woman, equally needs lots of love and care and attention. I learnt it the hard way. No matter who we are, we should learn to appreciate each other, for every small little things that the partner does for us. A little appreciation a day goes a long way. Something which I always remind myself - never ever take the other party for granted.