14 February 2025

To my dear Mengmeng,

As I sit here, with us once again in different countries on Valentine's day, I feel both a sadness because of how much I miss you but also a fullness because of how much I love you. I feel so lucky for the countless memories we've created together this last year and think about you every day you're away. I realised talking to you this morning just how much your face lights up my day.

I remember us, just a few months ago, standing together on the beach, watching our first aurora. I feel like that moment captured so much of what I'm grateful for in our relationship. In the same way that light show painted the sky of our "normal" beach, seeing your face as you come home from a "normal" day fills me with a glow of happiness.

This lasy year has been filled with so many firsts together - you teaching me to fly a kite, me discovering the joy of day spas in China, and us successfully surviving two beautiful weddings. Watching our families come together, seeing them all travel to Australia and China to celebrate our love - it's hard to believe the dream that seemed impossible 8 years ago is a reality today.

I love how you challenge me to grow - introducing me to new foods, new experiences, new ways of seeing the world. Every time I see us taking new steps towards each other, it fills me with such a deep sense of luckiness.

I've loved our camping trips this year. And I especially love the fact that sometimes you just totally jump on board with crazy ideas like sleeping in the car.

But I also know that it's not all fun. We've faced lots of setbacks and challenges together this year too. I can't tell you how inspired I am by your ability to never give up. Watching you achieve your dreams - standing proud as you were sworn in as a lawyer, getting accepted into a highly respected job and always pushing to be a better version of yourself - your determination and brilliance inspire me.

And even though you're a tough-as-fuck, badass lawyer, I love that you haven't given up on occasionally being silly with me.

From Disneyland and Singapore adventures to quiet moments at home, every second with you is a gift.

Mengmeng, thank you for choosing to share your life with me. Thank you for your patience as I learn new things. For your smile that brightens my dark days. And for your beautiful heart that makes everywhere feel like home.

It's hard to believe that this time last year, we were getting ready for this...

Happy Valentine's Day, my beautiful wife!

I love you.