10 Love Lessons You Can Learn From Celebrities

Christopher Lee put all husbands to shame when he turned up unexpectedly - and looking rather macho - at a media conference in 2015 (yes, we still remember!) with a bouquet of flowers for Fann Wong. Cue awws. Yes, you may argue that some women don’t like flowers, but it is not the bouquet but the gesture that matters. Guys, are you taking notes?

Love lesson: Don't stop at marrying someone who makes your heart flutter. Marry someone who will be your personal cheerleader, who will be happier than you at your happiest moments, and sadder than you at your saddest ones. And this sweet post on Chris’ Instagram to the missus on their anniversary pretty much sums it up: “My dearest wife, we’ve been married for six years. Let’s remain loving for 60 years or even, 600 years!”

Priscelia Chan went through a dark two years when a “massive traumatic health ordeal” made her give up acting in 2016. An imbalance in her immune system caused her skin to flare up — it was so bad that she thought would be permanently disfigured. It was traumatic to say the least, but even at her worst, her hubby, former actor Alan Tern, would still tell her that she’s beautiful and reassured her that she’d recover. She's finally seeing the light at the end of the tunnel and has even returned to the small screen.

Love lesson: Be your partner’s biggest pillar of support. Just being around, offering words of encouragement and loving them in sickness and in health can do wonders.

Distance can make the heart grow fonder but it can also make or break a relationship, especially when you live apart for a long period of time — years, even, for Joanne Peh and Qi Yuwu’s case. He was based in China, while she’s in Singapore with their two children. In 2014, the couple said “I do” even though they knew they were going to be in a long-distance marriage, and now, fast-forward five years later, they are “closer than we were when we started”.

Love lesson: Distance is no barrier to true love. Despite juggling busy careers, two young kids AND Joanne’s “third baby”, enrichment programme The Dimple Loft, Joanne says she and Yuwu always make it a point to spend important occasions like birthdays and festivals together, making what little time they have together count, whether it’s going on dates or as a family. And when all else fails, there are always video calls. Heh.

A lot has happened for James Seah and Nicole Chang Min in the past year. The couple got a BTO flat together, are newly-engaged, but all these probably wouldn’t have happened if Nicole hadn't made the first move. According to James, sparks flew when the couple met at a mutual friend’s party in 2015 but it was Nicole who set up their first date. “We started talking at the party and after that she contacted me through Instagram and got in touch with me. I am not the type who will make the first move so I felt flattered and happy,” says James.

Love lesson: Ladies, don’t be afraid to make the first move. If you see something that you like, go after it. There are no rules to love — or life.

Pierre Png and Andrea De Cruz’s love story is like something out of a Nicholas Sparks novel (but with a far happier ending). Pierre first spotted Andrea walking out a hair salon, and was captivated by her beauty, but they didn’t get together until years later when they were both single. Things took a turn for the worse in 2002, when Andrea suffered liver failure after taking Slim 10 diet pills. Pierre sprang to the rescue, donating part of his liver while she was on the verge of death.

Today, after 16 years of marriage, the two are as much in love as ever. Their fortitude in taking things one day at a time, in the face of Andrea’s health, is inspiring. Not only have they adopted a bundle of “furkids”, but Pierre frequently surprises Andrea with cute gestures, like flowers, or taking her out for churros when she’s craving them, while Andrea cooks delicious meals for Pierre — which he lovingly documents on Instagram.

Love lesson: True love requires sacrifice. While Andrea has shared that there’s a risk her body could reject the liver someday, she’s blessed to have a man who sticks with her through thick and thin, even at a cost to himself — and meanwhile, Pierre is lucky to have found someone who fights bravely in the face of death.

Jesseca Liu and Jeremy Chan’s relationship was one of the best-kept secrets in local showbiz. The couple not only dated under the radar, but were also engaged for about a year before they went public with their romance in 2016. But it was not all smooth-sailing for Jeremy, who was criticised for his romance with Jesseca: netizens had a field day poking fun at his shorter stature and how he could not measure up to her both physically and professionally. But the actor took it in his stride and would even make self-deprecating jokes about his height. In 2017, they tied the knot in a romantic beach wedding in Langkawi.

Love lesson: Ignore the naysayers (and marry a guy that makes you laugh). Their relationship was not without its challenges but it’s their unbreakable friendship (he calls her his best friend on earth) and Jeremy’s sincerity that moved Jesseca. In her wedding vows, Jesseca thanked Jeremy for not giving up on their relationship, saying, "Ever since you got together with me, you've heard the worst things - thankfully you have a big heart and took it all in stride… Thank you for your determination and for not giving up, which gave me a chance to be your wife."

Nothing is more sexy than a secret relationship, especially when you’re in showbiz. In 2013, Andie Chen and Kate Pang revealed that they’d not only been dating on the down-low for a year (despite brushing off earlier rumours), but that they were married and expecting a child. When questioned by the media, Kate and Andie admitted that they’d felt like “puking” at the thought of playing lovers in Break Free. Andie joked that Kate is old and ugly, while Kate replied that the joke was on him, since he now has to look at her for the rest of their lives.

Today, Kate and Andie are one of the most fun couples to follow on social media, thanks to their continuing banter and their adorable kids, Aden and Avery. They even have an Instagram page @kandiefamily where they document their domestic life and share tips on parenthood.

Love lesson: Never say never! While it wasn’t love at first sight for Kate and Andie — both acknowledge their relationship was a slow burn, and that it was different from their previous relationships — it’s clear that these two are a perfect match.

Alfred Sim spared no expense while proposing to his fellow singer and girlfriend of ten years, Tay Kewei. In May 2014, Kewei walked into a restaurant ready to perform for a client’s solemnisation ceremony, but it turns out that the gig was merely a facade for an elaborate proposal, as she was shocked to see about 40 members of her friends and family in the room. And in the middle of them stood Alfred, singing and strumming to her song, So in Love! A few rounds of confetti and poppers later, Kewei was led to a floating stage, where Alfred got down on one knee and popped the question.

But the proposal didn’t end there. Thinking it would be “anticlimactic” to go back to everyday life after getting engaged, Alfred whisked Kewei to Tokyo that very night, where she and Alfred were greeted by three friends who filmed and photographed their mini holiday. And as the final touch, Alfred surprised her with a pre-wedding photoshoot at the end of the trip. The trip cost upward of $50,000.

Now, we know what you’re thinking: how could their wedding possibly top that kind of gesture? It turns out that Alfred had more tricks up his sleeve, as the two enjoyed a gala-themed, star-studded wedding at the Shangri-La Hotel in January 2015.

Love lesson: Money can’t buy you love, but it can definitely buy you a “spoil market” engagement. Don’t ever hold back from your beloved!

Photo: Ideally Yours

Even after 28 years of marriage and two kids, Zheng Geping and Hong Huifang are still as loving as ever. The doting husband revealed that he makes it a point to kiss Huifang every night before they go to bed and occasionally makes little surprises for her, including steamy dance routines worthy of Magic Mike. Way to spice things up the bedroom. ������

Love lesson: Always dote on women because they are made to love (Geping’s words, not ours). Ever the romantic, Geping never fails to send Huifang flowers on her birthday, their anniversary and Valentine’s Day, even when he is overseas. And till today, the actor still remembers what Huifang wore on their first date. The devil is in the details.​​​​​​​

Unlike the other couples on this list, Shane Pow and Kimberly Wang aren't married or engaged but we decided to include them anyway ‘cos no one keeps us entertained like these two with their constant bantering, trolling and savage roasting online. Jokes and jibes aside, Shane is also quite the sensitive new-age guy. How many guys do you know would spend more than four hours slaving in the kitchen just to whip up their bae’s favourite dish?

Love lesson: Keep it fun -- doing silly things together can help keep the spark alive. Like how Shane gave Kim a very advance (six months!) birthday surprise when they were vacationing in the United States and this #Seoulfunky dance video which saw the pair boogieing their way through the city, to the bewilderment of passers-by. “This was completely unplanned and spontaneous. It just happened as we went about our trip,” says Kimberly. Never change, guys.