My biggest birthday present this year...

Has to be my dear sister Colleen getting married to a wonderful husband!

My Dad proudly walking down the aisle of the hall of the Church of St Ignatius with his daughter's hand in tow. It must be a very proud (and poignant) moment for him to be presenting his daughter to the bridegroom, Andrew.

On a separate note, I really enjoyed the ceremony, the choral music and the solemnness of the event. It's a throwback to my upbringing in Catholic schools from young.

That's Andrew and Colleen after the change of attire for the dinner at the Four Seasons Hotel ballroom. It was also a great time to catch up with relatives and old family friends, albeit with many new faces from the bridegroom's friends

The traditional pouring of champagne by the couple before the toasting of the couple by the immediate family and the bridal brothers and sisters. That must surely be one of the highlights of the evening

This marriage, being our first marriage within our direct family, is a milestone in my family history. My sincerest prayer to the newly-weds that God will bless this marriage to be blissful and ever-lasting, that you will both provide a pillar of strength and support to each other in times of joy and need, and always serve God and His community with passion and grace.

I also saw how this marriage is starting to bring our family closer together, tearing down walls brick by brick. It is indeed mentioned in 1 Corinthians 13 that "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs... It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres." May we persevere on as a family that trusts, protects, hopes and loves one another.

And our next stop: the second wedding celebration at the bridegroom's side at Kuala Lumpur over this weekend!