When two hearts set sail together

They met in 2019 as senior and junior – not in school, but on the same warship!

The senior was Military Expert (ME) 2 Gary Lim, who made a positive first impression because he patiently answered all her questions, no matter how big or small.

The junior was ME2 Audrey Ho, who made the first move by asking around for his number and offering to buy him food when he was busy with work. This soon led to an impromptu first date.

Now, seven years later, the couple have three fur-babies and are eagerly awaiting the arrival of their first child in May!

What do you guys do in the Navy?

ME2 Ho: I’m a Senior Assistant Engineer from the System Readiness Engineering Centre (SREC), ensuring the Maritime Security and Response Vessels’ (MSRVs’) systems are properly maintained.

I signed on in 2018 after graduating from polytechnic because I wanted to challenge myself. Being in the Navy gives me the opportunity to see the world, gain diverse experience and serve our nation!

ME2 Lim: I’m a Senior Assistant Engineer from SREC as well, but for the frigate instead of MSRV.

I signed on in 2014 after my Basic Military Training, mainly because my dad was a Regular. He was in the Republic of Singapore Air Force – though he is retired now – and I’ve always looked up to him, so I wanted to do the same.

Although I signed on with the Navy instead! (laughs)

How does it feel to have a partner who’s also serving in the military?

ME2 Ho: It’s a blessing in disguise. Sometimes, people will tell me that working with your partner means that you’re more prone to conflicts. But that hasn’t happened to us.

We each have our own strengths and weaknesses, and we help each other a lot. Whenever there’s something I don’t understand, he is the person I turn to for the answer, especially since he has more experience than me.

ME2 Lim: I love that I don’t need to explain Navy terms – such as frigate – to her whenever I talk about work. It makes our conversations a lot easier.

Whenever either of us runs into any problems, we will be there for one another. I’m also always the first to know when she achieves something at work. Her achievements propel me to want to do better as well.

What do you appreciate about your partner?

ME2 Ho: I appreciate his bubbly and extroverted character! He’s always the life of the party because he enjoys bringing people together.

ME2 Lim: She’s not someone who takes things as they are. She will question everything – whenever there’s a problem or defect – and solve it by herself to the best of her abilities.

And when she solves something, it makes her so happy that she’ll come to tell me all about it!

What’s it like balancing both work and your relationship?

ME2 Ho: It’s not easy, but he’s a very understanding partner and holds the fort whenever I’m away on overseas deployments. He’s also very supportive whenever my family needs help. Sometimes, they say that calling him is faster and easier than calling me! (laughs)

He’s also been a great “cat dad”. Even though he grumbles about taking care of our cats, he misses them whenever we go overseas – he can’t sleep without them!

ME2 Lim: One of the toughest moments for me was when she had to go for a long overseas sail. I had to handle everything at home alone, balancing both her family’s and my family’s needs.

That’s why I try to text her more often whenever she gets Internet access – especially for advice on how to handle each cat!

With a baby on the way, what are you both looking forward to?

ME2 Ho: I’m not worried because I know I have a strong village behind me. My older sisters both have children, and the rest of my family is ready to help us when the baby arrives.

Likewise, in the Navy, they have planned our schedule so that, as much as possible, both of us won’t have to sail at the same time. This way, we won’t have to worry about leaving our child alone.

With Valentine’s Day coming up, what’s one thing you’d like to say to each other?

ME2 Ho: You always wait for me to finish work and leave together so that I don’t have to go home by myself, even on days when you end work hours before me. I’m also grateful that you wake up earlier on weekends to feed the cats so that I don’t have to get up early.

You grumble, but you still do things for me without fail, which is something I appreciate throughout all these years.

ME2 Lim: Thank you for carrying the baby – even with all the pregnancy discomfort and changes in your body, you’ve experienced them all without many complaints.

Thank you for being my forever Valentine.