JUNITA SIMON & AMAL DASS
Ms Junita Simon has her producer friend, Lorraine, to thank for introducing her to Dr Amal Dass. The former top model was hosting cable TV programme Fashion Unlimited when she was set up on a blind date with the medical doctor in 1997.
"Lorraine and her husband were friends with Amal and, for some reason, she thought I'd like this guy. Well, I can't say she was wrong," says the 35-year-old mother of one.
Together with the couple, Ms Simon went on a dinner date with Dr Dass at Chijmes.
Her first impression of him, however, was not great.
She recalls: "I thought he was a cool guy but aloof, you know? He was very quiet and did not really say much."
"So I thought he was not interested in me at all and that the set-up had failed."
But Dr Dass, 42, who is in Kuala Lumpur for a wedding, has a different version of the story.
"I was reserved because I wanted to get to know her better first," he says in an e-mail reply.
While not much was said during the dinner date, things warmed up later when he drove her home, and the two talked during the ride.
"Because he was so quiet in the restaurant, I was very surprised that we hit it off talking in the car," Ms Simon recalls.
Due to their busy schedules, the next time the two met was a month later, when he asked her out for dinner.
While they had a good evening at a cafe at the Ritz-Carlton, Millenia Singapore, Ms Simon would not hear from him for the next three months.
"When he drove me home, I told him to keep in touch. Apparently, he took it the wrong way and thought I was brushing him off."
With a laugh, she adds: "How would I know that meant something else? I really did want to keep in touch with him."
In January 1998, she decided to send him New Year greetings via a text message, and that was when things started picking up again.
The doctor took it from there and the couple dated for five years before tying the knot in April 2003.
Of her husband, Ms Simon says: "He's an all-round nice guy and very loving. But he likes to leave things to the very last minute before getting them done.
"That stresses me out a lot because I'm such a meticulous planner."
In 2006, Ms Simon gave birth to their son, Rayaan, who is now in Primary 1.
She now plans her life around her son and works as a part-time model-host.
"Modelling is for the young girls. When you have a family, your outlook is different," she says.
"You can't just be jetting off to Hong Kong or Bangkok for a show without planning."
Like most married couples, arguments are par for the course.
So, who usually gives in first?
"Amal, definitely," she says. "I hate to admit this but I am the problem. I can sulk for days, while he'll try to lighten the mood by making me laugh."
He agrees, saying: "I don't bear grudges and I try to resolve any arguments we have as quickly as possible."
It is this forgiving nature of his that Ms Simon is most thankful for.
"I'm not proud of my diva moments but I have learnt from him," she says. "Instead of dwelling on the disagreement, I will talk things out and try to resolve them."
'WHEN HE DROVE ME HOME, I TOLD HIM TO KEEP IN TOUCH. APPARENTLY, HE TOOK IT THE WRONG WAY AND THOUGHT I WAS BRUSHING HIM OFF.'
Ms Junita Simon, on her first date with Dr Amal Dass
HE SAYS, SHE SAYS
What quality about your spouse do you find most attractive?
Him: She is completely unaffected by fame, unflinchingly loyal and generous to a fault with the people that she loves.
Her: He is a generous and forgiving person.
What's the one thing you don't like about your spouse?
Him: She is my greatest critic and, unfortunately, seldom wrong.
Her: He is so particular about everything, especially in the kitchen. A simple curry which can be whipped up in an hour will take him three hours to make simply because he needs to get all the ingredients and the measurements right. My kitchen is always messy after that.
What is the one item in your spouse's wardrobe that you'd like to junk?
Him: This denim skirt she has with customised frayed edges. She has one in blue and one in white. Okay, sorry, that's two.
Her: Nothing. He is a very stylish man. He likes pieces that are simple and sleek, so there's not much room for error.
If tomorrow never comes, what is one thing you may not have had the chance to tell your spouse but would want him or her to know?
Him: That we will complete all our unfinished business in our next life.
Her: I don't think there's anything. He knows how much I love him. Perhaps it'll be that I hope we get to meet in the next life and have the same relationship that we have now.
Complete this sentence. The key to making a marriage work is...
Him: To compromise and go along with your wife even when you don't want to give in.
Her: To love each other through thick and thin.
