Love blossoms for couple who met during pandemic

Couple (from left) Wong Ing Hwa and Charis Tan met during the pandemic through a dating app. Photo: Wong Ing Hwa

While it may seem almost impossible for singles to find love during the pandemic – because how do we socialise these days? – Wong Ing Hwa, 33, and his girlfriend, Charis Tan, 32, found each other.

The couple met on a dating app called Coffee Meets Bagel and went out on their first date in Jul 2020 during the recovery movement control order.

When they met for the first time, both Wong and Tan admit that they were rather shy and they also had pretty low expectations. But they became friends and got to know each other for three months before they moved on to a relationship.

“My first impression of her was that she’s a very family-oriented and has good values. Both of us are Christians and she’s the type of person that I’m looking for in a life partner,” says Wong.

“I was attracted to his responsible character and maturity, and that’s what made me say yes when he asked if we would like to bring our friendship to the next level after three months of getting to know each other,” says Tan, adding that Wong is the man that she has been “praying for, for many years”.

While Tan, an administrator, had been using the app for over a year before she finally found Wong, he had been using the app for only a week plus when he found her.

Tan and Wong admit that their personalities are very different but they complement each other. Photo: Wong Ing Hwa

Wong, who works for a technology company, admits that he was initially hesitant to try online dating again after a bad experience a few years ago.

“It can be difficult to find the right person through dating apps because we don’t know who the real person is behind the screen. Also, it takes time and effort to discover the person, and when prolonged, it can be tiring,” he says.

“I think some still look down on online dating as a ‘desperate attempt’ to find someone,” he adds.

But now, and especially during these pandemic times, Wong realises that couldn’t be further from the truth.

“Now that I have experienced a successful online match, I think online dating is a pretty useful tool for people to meet especially during the pandemic,” he says.

Before the pandemic, romance often involved dinner, a movie, drinks at a bar or club, or social activities like games either indoors or outdoors. But with social-distancing and mask-wearing mandates and the very real threat of contracting the virus, we’ve had to find new ways to make social connections. Going online, says Wong, is a practical solution.

“Even without the current pandemic situation, there’s no harm getting to know new friends even if it doesn’t work out. I think it’s just another way for people to get connected, and it’s ok as long as people are careful and not too naïve,” he adds.

Opposites attract

The couple admits that their personalities are very different but they complement each other. While the introverted Wong prefers to hang out in smaller groups rather than huge gatherings (before the pandemic) and he enjoys his stay home, engaging in his hobbies during the MCO, Tan is more of a social-person and staying home during the prolonged MCO makes her feel bored.

“He’s also more laidback, and he usually take things as they come,” says Tan of Wong.

“And, she’s a thinker-planner who analyses all the various scenarios to prepare for each occasion,” says Wong of Tan.

One of the couple’s favourite date activities (during the recovery MCO) is walking in the park during weekends. Photo: Wong Ing Hwa

One of the couple’s favourite date activities (during the recovery MCO) is walking in the park during weekends.

“It’s like our getaway from the world for a while to just enjoy the natural surroundings and talk. This has brought us closer as we spend time discussing the things that are important to us,” says Wong.

“We also enjoy visiting different cafes and restaurants during the recovery MCO, especially since I’m a foodie,” says Tan.

Their dates have been “just like any other dates, except with the temperature scanning, wearing of masks, social distancing and other SOPs required during this time”, the couple reveals.

Since MCO 3.0 was implemented in May 2021, they haven’t been able to meet as they live in different districts. Tan stays in Puchong, Selangor, while Wong is in Kuala Lumpur. The couple has been relying on “lots of weekly video calls and chatting through texts and voice memos”.

Wong and Tan having fun being cute with each other during their video call. Photo: Wong Ing Hwa

“Video calls are our favourite way to support each other mentally and emotionally through the pandemic,” says Wong.

“We were joking about how we would have a gazillion love letters if we were living during our parents’ time,” adds Tan.

The couple reveals that during their time at home, Wong plays video games and watches movies “to stay sane”, while Tan watches TV series, as well as cooks and bakes because “it is therapeutic”.

The only time they go out now is to get groceries or food and beverages near their respective homes. And the only time they got to see each other in person (since MCO 3.0) was when they went for their vaccination together two months ago.

“Although we can’t exactly call it a date since we didn’t get to spend much time together, we’re glad to be able to at least have those few moments together,” he says.

“Today will be our 300th day being a couple. We really miss spending time with each other and doing stuff together. And we look forward to being able to date proper again soon,” concludes Tan.