HE wanted to marry the girl he loved. But all he could come up with was the typical Singaporean line: "Shall we apply for a flat?"

Now, 20 years and 19 vow renewals later, Mr Loy Tiew Hing, 52, is more romantic.

He and his wife, Madam Clara Yeaw, 46, will renew their marriage vows today.

On the day with a perfect 10 date - 10.10.10 - they will join 59 other couples at a mass vow-renewal event at the Singapore Flyer at 7pm.

Another eight couples are getting married at the same event,which is organised by Tampines GRC Family Life Champions.

Also, at Sentosa, 118 couples will be saying "I do" at 19 solemnisation venues today.

This mass wedding event has been jointly organised by Singapore Press Holdings and Sentosa Group, with support from the Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports.

Today's date is not only easy to remember, it is believed to be auspicious in the Chinese almanac. Couples getting married on this day will have a harmonious marriage, geomancers said.

For Madam Yeaw, the date symbolises perfection.

The financial consultant said: "We like the 0s. It signifies wholesomeness - like a complete circle."

They held their wedding ceremony on Oct 20, 1990.

But getting there took not one, but two proposals.

Mr Loy, who works as a quality assurance engineer, was 25 when he first popped the question to Madam Yeaw in 1983. She was only 19 then and turned him down.

"I was still so young. I told him, 'Wait till I celebrate my 21st birthday'," Madam Yeaw said.

Two years later, he asked her again. This time, she said yes.

But they had to wait another four years, till they saved up and bought that flat, before they registered their marriage, on her birthday in March1989.

And they waited again, till the following year, to hold their ceremony on that date with all those 0s.

They have a son, Joel, 16, and daughter, Joline, 13.

Despite Mr Loy's unromantic proposal, they have renewed their vows every year and have gradually grown more romantic over the years.

Madam Yeaw said: "We make it a point to take leave on Valentine's Day, on each other's birthday and on our wedding anniversary.

Dinner celebration

"On these special dates, we will go to the seaside in the morning to have a relaxing stroll. Then go for a nice buffet dinner at night.

"Eating helps us bond and unwind. We choose buffet because we can sit for a few hours and just talk over food."

She described the vow renewal as "a simple ceremony with our kids as witnesses", mostly held at home. "We exchange vows and rings, while referring to the vow kept in the wedding album."

She keeps the photographs of almost all their 19 vow renewals.

The couple also keep their relationship alive through the little things they do for each other. Madam Yeaw sometimes surprises her husband with home-cooked food.

A smiling Mr Loy said: "She cooks and brings it to my workplace."

In return, he showers her with surprise cards. Mr Loy said he has never regretted the way he proposed.

"If want to marry, must have a love nest, then can plan for a family," he said.

Madam Yeaw said she didn't find it unromantic.

But if Mr Loy could do it again, he'd probably throw in a bouquet of flowers and a ring for his soulmate.

To him, a soulmate is someone you can trust and be honest with. And his wife fits the bill perfectly, he said.

As for Madam Yeaw, she thinks "a soulmate is someone who knows you inside out".

She said: "I felt our relationship is still growing. Even though we have known each other for 28 years, I feel there are still many things to learn about each other."

Interestingly, the Loys feel that opposites attract.

Madam Yeaw said: "We are opposites of each other.

I love spicy food but he doesn't. Personality-wise, I'm chatty while he is quiet."

She added sheepishly: "I like guys who don't talk too much and yet we can talk about anything under the sun. I like to have a listener.

"He may be quiet but he is sensible and mature. He is also the one who moulded my character."

The little things in life matter, she said when sharing the secrets of her successful marriage.

"We are glad, after 28 years since we first met, that we still enjoy each other's company," she said.

For another couple renewing their vows at the Singapore Flyer today, the question of whether they believe in soulmates brings an obvious answer.

"Yes!" said retired teachers Enoch Lau, 77, and Alice Lau, 72.

Mrs Lau said: "Because we can get along with each other for 50 years."

Love in action

When asked how they show love to each other, Mrs Lau retorted: "Aiyah, no need to show lah. Love speaks with action. I cook, he eats. I'm busy, he helps me. I don't like to wash up after cooking, so he washes the dishes."

The couple, who are celebrating their golden anniversary in December, have three children - Joyce, 47, Joanna, 46,and Jon, 40.

Joyce and Jon will also be renewing their vows with their spouses at the same event.

The Laus admit that their 50 years of married life was not always smooth-sailing.

Mr Lau said: "There are ups and downs but the most important is to forgive."

Mrs Lau chipped in: "When we get angry with each other,we pray.We learn to forgive each other."

She pointed out that making marriage work can sometimes be as simple as making a cup of coffee.

To soothe a man's ego, she said, "just make him a cup of coffee and say sorry".

She offers this piece of advice to other couples: "Never have a cold war and be good to your in-laws."