What started as a simple conversation starter on Internet chat channel IRC eventually led to a romance between two young people who eventually got married to each other.
In an email entry for the V Day Love Story contest, Jasmine and Sylvester wrote:
“<johannes> : Hi! Care for an intro?
“<j_asmine>: 19/f
"Active ex IRC users would have known that # singapore channel was a very popular chat room with a long list of chatters in there.
“One fateful night, Sylvester had chosen to chat with a girl. The one who he would never think that one day will become his legally wedded wife.
“Sylvester was an OCS cadet who had just finished his overseas training at Taiwan.
“Feeling bored, he wanted to pass time by chatting away in the most popular online server, IRC. Jasmine on the other hand was an ‘IRC addict’.
“Every night without fail, she would ‘report’ promptly to her ‘workplace’.
“So that was how God brought them to get to know one another.
“After chatting online for a few days, Sylvester decided to get Jasmine’s number and they chatted for hours on the phone.
“Perhaps it was the sweet voice that attracted Sylvester or/and maybe he thought it was cool to know a girl, representing her CCA as a contingent commander for the NDP 2004.
“That made him wondered how this girl would really look like in real life. (Well, they did exchange a photo and Jasmine really thought that he looked exceptionally cute and YES she was secretly wishing that he would date her soon).
“And so the ‘princess’ got her magical wish and indeed Sylvester did pluck his courage and asked Jasmine out for their first date on a Saturday evening (19th June 2004) after Jasmine’s NDP rehearsal.
“’For your own safety, please stand behind the yellow line. Please stand behind the yellow line.’
“The voice heard over the PA system was rattling softly in Sylvester’s ears.
“Armed with a newspaper (The New Paper, to be exact) and a bottle of Pokka Peach Tea in hand, the ‘white prince’ waited for his ‘princess’ to appear right before him. Not before long, he received a call from Jasmine.
“’Hey, where are you? I am on the bus, reaching the interchange soon.’
“’I am wearing a bumble bee shirt! It’s striking and I don’t think you will miss me! I am standing near the station control.’
“Their first date was at Causeway Point. Walking aimlessly at the shopping mall, both Sylvester and Jasmine were feeling shy and nervous.
“Eventually, they made their way to the National Library and started playing a silly game.
“Over the phone conversations that they had, Sylvester assumed that Jasmine was a ‘eat potato’ (a direct translation from dialect to describe a person who only knows how to speak English.)
“Eventually, it turned out that it was Sylvester who did not speak much of Mandarin.
“Sylvester wanted to spend more time with his girl on their first date and so he asked, ‘Do you want to catch a movie?’
“Jasmine looked at her watch. ‘But it is getting a bit late.’
“Sylvester looked so dejected. Not wanting to upset her prince charming further, Jasmine agreed and they watched their first movie, ‘The Day After Tomorrow’.
“The cutest thing that happened in the cinema was that Sylvester actually need to wear spectacles to be able to see the screen clearly. He asked Jasmine’s ‘permission’ if he could wear it throughout the show.
“He did not want to appear nerdy on their first date but Jasmine thought that he looked great with or without his glasses on.
“And that was their first date. The chemistry between them was awesome and the rest was history.
“They got together on the 15th July 2004. Jasmine witnessed Sylvester being commissioned as an officer.
“They shared their first kiss at Jurong Point. They had their first hug at Bukit Batok MRT platform.
“Jasmine first cried for Sylvester when he went Brunei for training. They went to the same university.
There were so many memorable moments that happened during the past five years.
“Most importantly, they have been a pillar of support to each other all these while.
“And as you would have guessed, Sylvester proposed to Jasmine at the very place where they had their first date.
“Jasmine had hinted to Sylvester that if there was ever a proposal, it should be at a place with a lot of people.
“It was indeed a pleasant surprise to Jasmine and she was very touched by the effort that was put into the making of the slideshow as well as to arrange such a wonderful proposal.
“She was more amazed at how brave he was, to be able propose in the public! It was a success with the help of Jasmine’s friends and the proposal goes like this.
"’Hey babe, let's have a baking session at your house on the Oct 12 2008. My company is giving away free movie tickets and we have not watched a movie together for a very long time. You know Juan doesn't like to go somewhere far. Where do you suggest?’ Jasmine’s buddy asked.
“Her reply was Causeway Point Cathay Cineplex. And so they went to Causeway Point for their free movie.
“Looking at the blank screen while waiting for the movie to start, Jasmine began to picture the scene if Sylvester was going to propose in a cinema setting.
“Suddenly a message scrolled into the screen and it said ‘The following message is brought to you by Jaster Inc.’
“Caught by surprise, Jas turned and saw her pals were all giggling and one of them looked as if she was in tears.
“A familiar tune echoed into Jasmine's ears as the slideshow that Sylvester took a long time to do was screened.
“Jasmine’s heart was beating fast and furious.
“The video ended with Sylvester’s entrance into the cinema.
“Holding on to a bouquet of flowers and the ring, he kneeled and asked the most touching question ever. ‘Will you marry me, Jasmine?’ Jasmine shook her head in disbelief and did not reply him.
“’Cooperate with me leh, please?!’ Sylvester pleaded.
“After a few seconds of silence, she finally gave the nod. At the very moment he put on the ring for her and tears could no longer be contained. Those were definitely tears of joy.
“They got hitched on Nov 14 2009 at St Mary of the Angels, presided by Father Stephen Yim and had the dinner celebration at Mandarin Oriental.
“’The prince and the princess live happily ever after!’
