Tuesday, March 17, 2020

Who says you shouldn't date a co-worker? Singapore couple-turned-colleagues share passion for making wishes come true

Source Website: https://www.asiaone.com/lifestyle/who-says-you-shouldnt-date-co-worker-singapore-couple-turned-colleagues-share-passion
By Candice Cai, candicecai@asiaone.com, AsiaOne, 11 March 2020


Darius [extreme left] and Amanda [extreme right] with a Wish family and other volunteers.
PHOTO: Darius [extreme left] and Amanda [extreme right] with a Wish family and other volunteers.
PHOTO: Make-A-Wish Singapore
Picture posted by Candice Cai, candicecai@asiaone.com, AsiaOne on 11 March 2020
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They say you shouldn't date a colleague, but Amanda Cho and Darius Low have been partners and colleagues for a good four years now.

The pair started dating in 2015, a year before Darius joined EtonHouse as special projects manager. Amanda, who's the creative and operations manager at the international school, was actually the one who encouraged him to apply.

Said Amanda: "We were a couple before we were colleagues. Darius was the right fit for the company and the team and I think I have been proven right by the work we produced so far.

"We also had supportive bosses who trusted us even though hiring a couple in the same (and very core) team would be a risk to the organisation."


We also had supportive bosses who trusted us even though hiring a couple in the same (and very core) team would be a risk to the organisation.
PHOTO: "We also had supportive bosses who trusted us even though hiring a couple in the same (and very core) team would be a risk to the organisation."
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Indeed, there have been horror stories of how a professional-cum-personal relationship at work might derail one or both fronts, but Amanda and Darius appear to have it all figured out.

"Initially, we thought that working together might tax our personal relationship, especially if work disagreements flow over [into our private lives]," said Darius.

However, the pair said that working together has only strengthened their relationship because they work better together than alone and are "each other's greatest supporter".


[Anti-clockwise from bottom left] Darius and Amanda with a fellow Make-A-Wish volunteer.
PHOTO: [Anti-clockwise from bottom left] Darius and Amanda with a fellow Make-A-Wish volunteer.
PHOTO: Make-A-Wish Singapore
Picture posted by Candice Cai, candicecai@asiaone.com, AsiaOne on 11 March 2020
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"We feel safe in the other's presence with the knowledge that we've got each other's back even if one of us drops the ball," Darius shared.

So what drew them to each other? For Amanda, it was Darius' smarts and how he gives off a sense of reliability, while Amanda's independence and tenacity attracted Darius.

Despite their differences ("I'm more of a left-brainer while Amanda is a right-brainer," shared Darius), their relationship has worked out well and extends even beyond just work and leisure.

For the last four years, the pair have volunteered at Make-A-Wish Singapore, granting wishes to children suffering from critical illnesses.


Despite their differences
PHOTO: Despite their differences ("I'm more of a left-brainer while Amanda is a right-brainer," shared Darius), their relationship has worked out well and extends even beyond just work and leisure.
Picture posted by pixnet.net on Saturday, 10 August 2016 at 13:27
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"Many people, including ourselves, tend to be distracted by life's other pursuits. We believe that children's perspectives help us to refocus our priorities to what really matters," said the couple, who were introduced to the organisation through Amanda's sister and brother-in-law. They were also volunteers at the organisation before taking a break to care for their newborn.

Darius and Amanda have granted a total of seven wishes, but two, in particular, stand out.

One was a pair of siblings whose wish was to go on a road trip with their family to Perth. The brother and sister pair, Satya, 18 and Diksha, 11, suffer from kidney disease.

When they returned, their excellent bloodwork results prompted doctors to ask them to continue with whatever dietary changes they had made.


Darius and Amanda have granted a total of seven wishes, but two, in particular, stand out.
PHOTO: Darius and Amanda have granted a total of seven wishes, but two, in particular, stand out. One was a pair of siblings whose wish was to go on a road trip with their family to Perth. The brother and sister pair, Satya, 18 and Diksha, 11, suffer from kidney disease. When they returned, their excellent bloodwork results prompted doctors to ask them to continue with whatever dietary changes they had made.
Picture posted by u/Rednaxela117 on 16 March 2019 - Melissa Benoist
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But their dad knew that the good results had nothing to do with the food. In fact, they consumed things they would not normally be allowed to eat during the trip. He was certain it was due to the positive emotions they carried from the trip.

Darius and Amanda shared that the common desires of these children are usually to spend quality time with their loved ones, celebrate existing relationships, and wanting to keep up with their studies despite their circumstances.

Others have more lofty dreams. Like Nicole, a 19-year-old who suffers from autoimmune hepatitis and osteoporosis — her wish was to create awareness about invisible illnesses. In the end, Darius and Amanda helped her become an author for her own book, which sold over 700 copies. In the two years since, she has also gone on to become a speaker on the topic, met ministers, and given interviews to the media as well.


Darius [top left] and Amanda [bottom left] with Nicole [centre, in blue] at her book launch.
PHOTO: Darius [top left] and Amanda [bottom left] with Nicole [centre, in blue] at her book launch.
PHOTO: Make-A-Wish Singapore
Picture posted by Candice Cai, candicecai@asiaone.com, AsiaOne on 11 March 2020
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Volunteering has helped Darius and Amanda surmount difficulties in their personal lives as well, like when Darius' mum fell into a coma and was in an extremely critical state.

Shared Darius: "At that point in time, we were attached to a Wish family and the parents came to visit us at the hospital.

"When they related to us their stories of the many days and nights they spent in the hospitals, it brought us an overwhelming sense of comfort to speak to people who understand intimately how we felt. At that point in time, we truly felt that we were the ones who were on the receiving end of the wish."

Unfortunately, Darius' mum passed on in 2019, after years of battling various cancers.

Are the children's wishes ever not granted? Perhaps when it's making a wish for unlimited wishes.


Are the children's wishes ever not granted?
PHOTO: Are the children's wishes ever not granted? Perhaps when it's making a wish for unlimited wishes.
Picture posted by brandrificus on 25 March 2012 - Tree Nymph
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It is also hard to tell what a child's true wish is from just one visit, shared Darius and Amanda, so one has to dig deeper.

"More often than not, it is a less tangible, deeper thing that they crave, such as independence or being able to stand up for something they believe in, which was Nicole's wish," said Amanda.

Asked if being wish-makers placed a strain on their finances or time, they believe that "anything that you want to do, you need to put in time and resources", and that "there is no strain on passion".

The only time there have been conflicts is understanding when they should take a step back to let the other person lead, because "we know the other person is better [at certain skills]", said Darius.


Anything that you want to do, you need to put in time and resources
PHOTO: "Anything that you want to do, you need to put in time and resources", and that "there is no strain on passion". We should also take a step back to let others lead, when "we know others are better [at certain skills]".
Picture posted by Pygar on 28 February 2012 - Fairy in Green
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But the process has also made them realise what they admire in the other. "His amazing ability to quickly come to a decision based on logic while I’m fretting away juggling my emotions," shared Amanda.

For Darius, it's "the comfort in knowing that she'll never back down once we've agreed on a level 9,000 over-the-top wish outcome together."

"She's too complete so it’s hard to choose just one," said Darius. Uh, do we sense a proposal on the way?

With their lives already so intrinsically linked, do they have plans to settle down soon?

"We do... in due time!" said Amanda, laughing. "We are honestly slightly lazy to plan our own wedding because we plan all our events for our company too. Some colleagues joke that we should just get married during our annual D&D since everyone is already there!"


She's too complete so it’s hard to choose just one top wish.
She's too complete so it’s hard to choose just one top wish.
PHOTO: "She's too complete so it’s hard to choose just one top wish."
With their lives already so intrinsically linked, do they have plans to settle down soon?
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Marriage Is Predestined by the Creator
PHOTO: Marriage Is Predestined by the Creator, "and the two will become one flesh. So they are no longer two, but one flesh." (Mark 10:8).
"Wives, submit yourselves to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them." (Colossians 3:18-19).
Artwork by Stephen Perry - Forest Fire
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By Candice Cai, candicecai@asiaone.com, AsiaOne, 11 March 2020



Reference
[1] Candice Cai, candicecai@asiaone.com, AsiaOne, Who says you shouldn't date a co-worker? Singapore couple-turned-colleagues share passion for making wishes come true, posted on 11 March 2020, https://www.asiaone.com/lifestyle/who-says-you-shouldnt-date-co-worker-singapore-couple-turned-colleagues-share-passion


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