Here is a little about how Vanessa and Colin met, and some of the memories they shared. Their first encounter was at the gym, where Colin had a grueling strength training class led by instructor Vanessa (who was very nervous, because Colin writes essays for class reviews, widely attends many classes, and your instructor career can be made by his review!), just right after finishing a spin class. He did not enjoy it, but he was quite captivated by Vanessa, she was different, a “Plain Jane” girl who stood out in a unique way. Since then, he has learned to appreciate those workouts. Vanessa is eternally thankful he wrote a long review of her class! This unforgettable day happened on November 20, 2020.
Their first date was at the Grand Hyatt Kuala Lumpur, just as pandemic restrictions finally lifted (once again, Malaysia went thru many yoyo's called MCOs - Movement Control Orders). Colin was an in-house long stay guest. Vanessa couldn't help but wonder why Colin was even living in a hotel; was he secretly a spy? Hahaha! But the real showstopper was when she saw him walk in, dressed in bright red with his colourful socks & Prada shoes and she couldn't help but think, he’s cute and he clearly loves to make a statement!
They dined at Thirty8, took a stroll to Pavilion, got a coffee from Optimist Coffee (their favourite coffee spot in KL), and then came back for some pineapple tarts at JP Teres. They shared a sweet memorable first date :) It is safe to say that Hyatt hotels clearly play an important role, as their preferred choice!
Before Colin's long work trip, he knew he wanted to be with Vanessa, realizing it was now or never. So he flew her to Langkawi, Malaysia, where they spent precious time together. They not only found each other but also discovered breathtaking sunsets that made their experience truly beautiful. Langkawi was indeed an important location as Colin was also the beneficiary of the Langkawi Travel Bubble, i.e. the only way to fly into Malaysia without being locked up in a room for seven days!
Always playful, you might even see Colin sporting the first gen Meta Ray-Bans. This was shortly after they got together, during a time when they spent 1.5 months apart while Colin roamed the pandemic infested world. Despite the distance, their connection only grew stronger!
The moment Colin attends a wedding with someone, he must be serious, and this was him with Vanessa in Cameron Highlands. Normally Colin is quick to decline wedding invitations but he made an exception for Vanessa 😊 and you'll see why they're making their wedding entertaining, so he doesn’t fall asleep!
Believe it or not, Vanessa loves traveling to New York City for her favourite workouts at AARMY. Colin, always the multitasker, juggles work while fitting in his own practice sessions there too. NYC holds a special place in their hearts because of their routine: starting the day at AARMY, grabbing coffee at Cafe Lyria, enjoying a slice of Joe’s pizza, and taking a stroll through Central Park. It’s their perfect mix of fitness and fun in one of their favourite cities!
This was on a boat in the Bosphorus, Istanbul, where Vanessa bravely joined a spin class—on a moving boat! She’s more into strength training than spin, but she pushed through despite battling seasickness, and motion sickness. Through it all, Colin was right there, taking care of her, staying as positive as ever, and making sure she felt better. In the end, it was all worth it, and you can see that in the picture!
Is Japan their favourite destination? It sounds like it! In the first half of 2024, they made four trips there just to say goodbye to the Park Hyatt Tokyo, their cherished home away from home. They’re so excited for it to reopen! It’s not just the beautiful hotel; it’s the incredible food, the stunning shrines (below is a picture of them at Meiji Jingu Shrine - it is definitely their favourite), and the rich culture that makes it so special. And let’s not forget the shopping—it’s simply the best!
They really love Bali, but they don’t get to go often because the Internet is too slow for work, well mostly for Colin! 😋 When they do visit, they stay at beautiful places like the Alila Uluwatu, another fantastic Hyatt. It is such a serene getaway, and you can see why they cherish it!
Vanessa isn’t a fan of the cold, and Colin prefers to avoid the heat. Despite their climate preferences, they both share a passion for travel, and Paris is always a wonderful choice any time of year! Here’s a fun fact: did you know that there were a list of places that were on a proposal blacklist, and Paris was one of them, for being too cliché. What other cities were on that list? (ask them). Vanessa is however growing to love Paris, more and more, no thanks in part to Emily in Paris. It’s heartwarming to see how their travel adventures bring them closer together!
With all that, how could Colin not propose to Vanessa? They were set to fly to London the night after a wedding, and the day before, Colin picked up the ring and shared his plans with both Vanessa's mother and his own. Everything was perfectly in place!
The next day, after landing and going straight to a workout, Colin casually said, “Let’s go for a walk in the park.” Without thinking too much, Vanessa threw on something casual (just jeans and a shirt, you know, post-workout vibes). But as they walked, Vanessa started to feel a little uncomfortable as Colin had them circling the same spot at least three times! Just when she was about to ask what was going on, a graceful grey heron flew by and settled nearby, watching them. That moment gave Colin the perfect opportunity. He proposed, and Vanessa was completely stunned, hahaha! She didn’t see it coming at all (as you can clearly see it in the picture).
The grey heron, symbolizing patience and calm, felt like a sign, right in line with Colin’s approach. Even though the proposal was last minute, it was patient, and a precisely executed moment. They’re aiming for longevity, guided by wisdom, and intelligence in all they do. It all came together in one whirlwind weekend, just as you'd expect from them. Thank you to Scott, the Royal Photographer, for being available, and to the Hyatt Churchill for making it all happen. Do you know where the proposal took place? It is one of Colin's favourite places in the world to spend time in, and now Vanessa loves it just as much.
They still continue travels, but this year, they've been spending a lot of time on making their apartment a home, and also planning the wedding. Yes, we don't know how they still managed to hit up Japan so many times, nor do we know how they did their entire world trips to get these wedding photos. But you know, what's life without a little crazy fun in it?
Was this before or after the trek down the Uluwatu cliff? You'll have to ask one of them to find out (unless you've done the trek yourself). This is one of those iykyk moments!
Life is a journey. We're really glad you're setting aside some time, to come, and join us for this most special day. Life together is sprinkled with moments, and luck. Stay happy, stay in love, stay hungry, stay foolish.
Vanessa & Colin ❤️