"The White House"

March 22nd, 2024

I would normally associate “The White House” with the famous presidential residence in Washington, DC, but today, as I went out for lunch on my own, it felt like there was a much stronger wedding theme than a political one…

Usually, if I go out, I eat lunch with my colleagues, but for some reason I felt like exploring solo. Besides, I soon realised that I wasn’t really alone: as I walked, remembered Bruce and talked with God, I saw a beautiful greenish butterfly flit across my path. It was a welcome, gentle confirmation.

I asked God, “Who do you want me to pray for today? What is on your mind?” And before I knew it, Benjamin texted me from America, where he was attending his cousin Abbey’s wedding. It was easy to picture the whole Chua family in my mind, clothed in their best suits and dresses. I’m glad I’ve become so close with them over the years. I lifted them up in prayer.

A few minutes later, I came across a new Western-inspired restaurant not far from our office, The White House. Something about its tasteful white interior, dotted with fresh green plant pots and veil-like floral drapes near the entrance, drew me inside. A few hanging crystals and subtle lamps wrapped with white leaves rounded out the design, and I couldn’t help but think this would be a good venue for a bespoke mini-wedding.

The food was enjoyable; the drinks, I’m not so sure. I had steak tartare, followed by some Turkish “pistachio coffee” as a little pick-me-up. The staff told me they had an exclusive, special import channel for this particular drink item, and although I could taste a hint of pistachio, it mostly just reminded me of Chinese medicine! I don’t know if that was a good thing.

Anyway, perhaps my brain felt drowsy after that unexpected medicinal link, or perhaps it was just a lack of attention for my surroundings, but my lunch break suddenly became a lot more eventful: as I was leaving the restaurant, I walked straight into the beautifully clean, transparent glass door.

Note to self: don’t look at your phone while you’re walking… or else you’ll end up with a bloody nose! Ouch. What a funny way to trigger a good memory: the first thing I thought of was the day I was meant to interview William for the company’s vacant CFO position, but I ended up missing it because I ran into another glass door and had to go to a very slow public hospital for stitches ("Patience. Obedience. Sacrifice." on p.28).

Thankfully, this time didn’t feel anywhere near as bad: there was no need for a third-party insurance claim (praise God). When I called to let Phoebe know, she rushed over to double-check I was fine. She agreed that nothing looked broken, and the situation was manageable: I could go back to the office and keep going as normal.

The upside of this unexpected delay? I got to see a uniquely coloured Tesla parked right outside, and Phoebe was on hand to photograph it. I don’t know about you, but I imagine this would be just the kind of car a bride and groom might drive off in on their big day…

The White House and the perfect ‘Wedding Getaway Car’

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Let us be glad and rejoice,

and let us give honour to him.

For the time has come for the wedding feast of the Lamb,

and his bride has prepared herself.

She has been given the finest of pure white linen to wear.

For the fine linen represents the good deeds of God’s holy people.

And the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding feast of the Lamb.” And he added, “These are true words that come from God.”

— Revelation 19:7-9 (NLT)