Anchored in love
To this Navy couple, love isn’t just about grand gestures. It’s about partnership, understanding, and finding joy in the small moments.//STORY BY DONAHUE FOO /PHOTOS BY KENNETH LIN & COURTESY OF INTERVIEWEES
For Military Expert (ME) 3 ME3 Lawrence Ang, 34, and ME2 Chua Kia Cher, 32, love blossomed on the high seas.
It all began years ago aboard Landing Ship Tank (LST) RSS Persistence, when ME3 Ang was a Senior Command and Control (C2) Operator and ME2 Chua was a Workplace Learner undergoing on-the-job training.
“My first impression of her was that she was hardworking, fun, and caring,” said ME3 Ang.
To ME2 Chua, her future husband exuded a strong sense of responsibility. “He was always coaching the juniors and helping them to do well. That really stood out to me.”
The pair’s bond grew stronger during their time on RSS Persistence. After long workdays, their clique of friends would head out for supper or weekend trips across the Causeway.
“We were in different courses at the same schoolhouse,” ME3 Ang recalled. “After classes, we’d often hang out for dinner, and I’d send her home. That’s how we started dating.”
Navigating different paths
Fast forward to today, ME3 Ang is the C2 Cluster Chief of RSS Endurance, who also serves as its Tactical Picture Director and Assistant Coxswain. ME2 Chua, on the other hand, is a Senior Assistant Engineer with the Force Readiness Squadron, ensuring the LST system platform is mission-ready 24/7.
Although they work in different units, their roles are interconnected. ME2 Chua’s expertise helps to make sure that the systems ME3 Ang uses aboard his ship function well.
“We sometimes brainstorm ideas on how to upgrade the systems,” said ME2 Chua. “It has brought us closer both personally and professionally.”
Balancing work & family
Like many military couples, balancing their demanding jobs with family life is a challenge. ME3 Ang’s overseas deployments mean ME2 Chua often has to take care of their two children – four-year-old Zaylen and two-year-old Caylen – on her own.
“We’re grateful for our parents, who step in to help during busy periods,” said ME2 Chua. “During quieter times, we make sure to plan family outings, like our recent trip to Legoland Malaysia.”
The couple also prioritises spending time together. “We plan ahead to ensure we have quality time as a family and as a couple,” said ME3 Ang. “Sometimes it’s a simple outing, but it means a lot.”
Tough moments, stronger bonds
Both ME3 Ang and ME2 Chua credit their shared understanding of military life in helping them navigate tough times as a couple.
During ME3 Ang’s advancement specialist course in 2023, his days started before dawn and ended late at night, leaving little time for family.
“It was a blessing that she understood the importance of my training and took on the roles of both mother and father during that period,” he said.
For ME2 Chua, going through the 2020 circuit breaker period while in her final trimester of pregnancy was especially challenging.
“He was away for duty, and I was home alone,” she said. “But his boss gave him extra time to check in on me daily, and my colleagues helped to make sure that my workload was manageable.”
ME3 Ang remembers that trying time well, and witnessing his wife’s strength as a first-time mum has only deepened his love for her: “Watching her endure the struggles of natural birth during COVID-19 made me appreciate her strength and resilience even more.”
Small gestures, big impact
Despite their busy schedules, the couple finds ways to show appreciation for each other. ME3 Ang books spa sessions for ME2 Chua, knowing how much she enjoys them. Meanwhile, ME2 Chua encourages ME3 Ang to unwind with his favorite computer games.
Some gestures are more elaborate. After ME2 Chua’s first long deployment overseas, she returned home to find a table covered with origami roses – one for each day she’d been away.
“It was such a heartwarming surprise!”
As they continue their journey together, ME3 Ang and ME2 Chua are committed to creating a loving environment for their children and supporting each other’s aspirations.
Their advice to other couples in the military?
“Build trust and be understanding of each other’s roles,” said ME3 Ang.
“Our jobs demand a lot, but knowing your partner has your back makes all the difference,” ME2 Chua emphasised.
