Common Ground

Anne: “Babe, don't forget to wake up at 4 a.m. tomorrow so we can catch the sunrise during our mountain hike tomorrow, ok?”

Kevin: “I can show you the same sunrise on YouTube…. Babe, can we go watch Coldplay concert in Singapore?”

Anne: “Sure! We can watch it together on Youtube!”

I legitimately was laughing so hard when Anne told me that story! Can’t you tell that Anne and Kevin are the kind of couple that has an amazing sense of humor? They don't take themselves too seriously and throw jokes at each other to break the ice at any situation. They can’t be more opposite of one another. But let’s be clear, their love and commitment surpass their differences.

Kevin is a chill guy whose dream vacation is lounging around in a villa and sipping coffee and maybe occasionally dipping in the pool when he feels like it. Anne is a woman who loves anything outdoorsy. She loves hiking up mountains, playing water sports at the beach, fishing while enjoying the scenery; you name it! Just call on her name and she’ll be there!

But there will always be a special spot for fishing in Kevin’s heart. Not only is fishing a great compromise for chilling while spending time in nature, but fishing is also the activity that led him to meet Anne. These two lovebirds spent their entire four years of college life in Sydney, Australia, shared the same group of friends, yet they’ve never encountered each other until one day the stars were aligned and that fishing trip came about.

It was the last few weeks before all of them were going to go home to their respective cities in Indonesia as they were done with their studies in Sydney. They did all the fun activities Sydney could offer including fishing. Anne was not initially on the list of people going on the fishing trip. She was invited to come along to accompany one other girl who didn't want to be the only girl on the trip. It was fate that brought them together. Kevin and Anne were on the same boat and the rest is history.

Kevin and Anne taught us that differences are not to be feared. It’s to be embraced. After all, differences can be the great motivation to find ways to meet in the middle; find a common ground and have fun together!