Shona & Jai's Love Story
An Impression of Love that Bridges Distance
After a rejuvenating summer break, I am back and ready to share about more incredible experiences in hospitality. And what better place to start than to offer a love story? A story of Shona Lalwani, my niece and Goddaughter from Hong Kong and Jai Lakhwani from St. Maarten.
The story of love often begins in the most unexpected places. For Shona & Jai, it all started at the lively Moonbar in St. Maarten.
Surrounded by friends, Shona was a vision of joy, radiating a carefree spirit that instantly caught Jai’s eye. “My first impression was that she was a cute girl who was enjoying her vacation in St. Maarten,” he reminisced with a smile.
Little did they know that this fleeting encounter would set the stage for a love story that would culminate in a breath-taking destination wedding in Bangkok, Thailand’s capital, a country where food, tradition, and culture intertwine superbly, creating an enchanting backdrop for their celebration.
Sparks Fly
Their next rendezvous at Roxy, St. Maarten, proved to be the turning point. With a bit more time to talk, Jai felt the initial spark ignite into something more significant. “We talked more and got the spark going, he says, reflecting on that moment. However, he admits, “I did not spend more time with her, as I was with my other friends. Probably not my best impression.”
Shona’s first impression of Jai was quite different; she found him to be a wee bit “witty” adding another layer of intrigue to their budding relationship. “Since St. Maarten is a small island with a close-knit community, we kept bumping into each other.”
“Our love story is about being at the right place at the right time,” Jai reflects. “It took me thirty-four years to meet the girl of my dreams, but less than a year to fall in love with her!”
This sentiment captures the essence of their journey, where every moment, no matter how small, contributed to their growing affection.
As their relationship blossomed, memorable moments became treasures, even if they were few and far between.
An Hospitality Connection
Shona, originally from Hong Kong and working in the hospitality industry, highlights one of her favorite aspects of Jai: “His chivalry is most memorable. Though he is a busy chef and restauranteur, he would call me every day, then pick me up and take me out after work.”
Jai’s care for Shona extended beyond romantic gestures; she felt comfortable around him, as he was easy to talk to and genuinely enjoyed her “lame jokes”. “He treated me like a princess and prepared delicious meals in his kitchen,” she recalls, noting that she was always smiling around him.
Both Shona and Jai hail from a successful career in hospitality, sharing a long-standing passion for curating exceptional experiences for others. This shared background not only enriched their connection but also played a crucial role in how they navigated the challenges of their relationship.
Their resilience shone through as they faced the barriers of being apart. For Shona, it was the bittersweet end of her vacation, having to return to Hong Kong. “It was tough knowing I had to go back home,” she admits. The couple was separated for almost two years, navigating the complexities of a long-distance relationship.
Absence makes the heart grow fonder
Their unwavering commitment to one another served as a testament to the power of technology to bridge the gap between soulmates. They refused to let geography be a barrier, as they often reminded each other “Absence makes the heart grow fonder.”
Leveraging their hospitality expertise, they meticulously planned visits and orchestrated thoughtful surprises, maintaining connection via virtual dates and care packages.
As their love deepened Shona and Jai knew that their next step would be to take their bond to the next level. “We realized that this distance only strengthened our commitment,” says Shona.
You know you’re in love when you can’t fall asleep because reality is finally better than your dreams!” (Dr. Suess)
“We learned to appreciate every moment we had together, no matter how small, we made lemonade out of lemons” Jai notes.
“There were different moments when I understood that Shona was the one.” An avid collector of sneakers, Jai admits that “her compliments on my ‘nice shoes’ made me smile.
“Another moment was when talking to her on the phone, something about her voice and her speech, I couldn’t get over. I knew I wanted to hear her voice from the second I wake up to the right before I passed out.”
A Christmas Story 2023
The culmination of their love story arrived on a magical Christmas Day. Jai chose this special occasion to propose to Shona, knowing it would be a moment they would cherish forever.
“The evening, he proposed to me, I noted he was wearing his favorite sneakers, I recalled him mentioning to me that he only wore those on special occasions. My heart skipped a beat,”shares Shona, reflecting on the significance of that moment.
“Her ‘YES!’ was the best Christmas gift I have ever received,” Jai adds, his eyes lighting up at the memory.
That moment marked the beginning of a new chapter, filled with promise and joy.
Shona and Jai’s journey is a beautiful testament to the resilience of love. Each predicament that came their way, only deepened their connection, proving that true love can thrive even in the face of adversity.
Their narrative serves as a reminder that love can indeed defy and bridge distance, creating an impression that lasts a lifetime.
Stay tuned for Part 2 of Shona & Jai’s story, where you’ll be immersed in the rich colorful blend of customs and modernity that make their celebration truly unique.
With guests coming from Hong Kong, China, Thailand, Singapore, India, Luxembourg, Vancouver, New York, Miami and St. Maarten. Join us as we fly to Thailand to experience this extraordinary extravaganza!
Love how it’s written! I was lucky to be part of this amazing event! Looking forward part 2
Beautiful story, beautifully written! Looking forward to part 2