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It started out as a high school crush, merely made up of shy glances and stolen moments at the school corridors.
“Fast-forward a decade later, here we are, dressed in our school uniform, back at the very place where it all began.”
After a decade together, Jing Xuan and Kah Onn are reliving their high school days by putting on their school uniforms once again—but this time it is for a wedding photoshoot.
This Malaysian couple’s story isn’t just one of a high school romance that lasted; rather, it’s a testament to the patience, resilience, and strength they found in each other.
Back in 2014, Jing Xuan was a regular high school girl at Tsun Jin High School, drawn to her friends and the fun of school life.
During one of the days where she and her besties admiring cute boys in the school hallways, she started to notice Kah Onn, one of the “campus legends” who excelled in academics, co-curricular activities and sports — a guy who seemed to have it all.
Jing Xuan admired him from afar, with her friends playfully egging her on.
But Jing Xuan didn’t just stick to admiring him from afar. She decided to put it into action by making the first move in approaching Kah Onn.
“We know we’re lucky to have started our journey when things felt so simple,” they recounted.
Worked hard to avoid LDR and get into the same uni
Jing Xuan always felt there was a distance between her and Kah Onn academically. He was a top student, while she struggled to keep up. The pressure was especially intense, most notably when it came to exams like SPM and UEC.
And it didn’t do any favours for Jing Xuan’s sense of self-esteem, where she saw doors of scholarship opportunities open for Kah Onn thanks to his exemplar grades — something she felt was far from her reach.
My grades weren’t the best. I couldn’t even make into the Top 10 in class, and scholarships felt like a distant dream.
“I knew I had to improve my grades if we wanted to get into the same university and embark on a new chapter abroad with him. Having that as my goal, I worked real hard,” she said.
After many late study nights, Jing Xuan finally received her “ticket” in the form of an acceptance into her dream university.
No one expected it, neither my friends nor my teachers. With Kah Onn’s tutoring and endless encouragement, I pulled through and scored eight As and 2 Top 10s.
“I think it was a small miracle, really. When you want something badly enough, you find a way.”
While Jing Xuan earned a spot at the same university as Kah Onn, they took on vastly different fields, with her pursuing business management and him studying Mechanical Engineering.
Falling in and out of love (and back again)
Their relationship wasn’t always smooth sailing. The pair broke up once during high school.
“We were so young and still trying to figure out who we really were.”
Reflecting on their decade together, they admitted to facing moments of doubt about their future as a couple.
“Over the ten years, there were times we questioned whether our relationship could last, especially while navigating major life transitions like graduating from university, juggling career demands, and managing the financial pressures of living abroad.”
“The weight of responsibilities often led to arguments,” they added.
“But those challenges also tested our understanding, resilience, and ability to support one another. Without those hiccups, our bond wouldn’t be as strong as it is today.”
Their journey also shaped their perspective on love. “It made us believe that love truly brings out the best in each of us.”
They reminisced about their early days. “Back then, being in love on campus felt so pure and simple. You liked someone for who they were, not for what they could offer.”
But over the years, they realised something deeper: “Meeting each other was fate, but staying in love required effort.”
When asked about the secret to their love journey, the couple revealed that continuously developing shared interests, hobbies, and values was essential.
While many relationships drift apart as partners grow in different directions, they believe finding common ground helps them grow together and stay connected.
Tying the knot 10 years later
Jing Xuan, now a bride-to-be, had an unexpected idea for her wedding photoshoot.
“We wanted our pre-wedding shoot to be somewhere truly meaningful, so we decided to go back to where it all started – our high school.”
“Who would’ve thought, back then, that one day we’d be here talking about weddings?” she laughed.
The couple worked hard and seized opportunities together in Hong Kong now but returned to Malaysia for this photoshoot.
“Every time we come back to Malaysia, we notice that our parents are getting older,” they shared, adding that it tugs at their hearts to be away from loved ones.
When asked about their future plans, they showed no hesitation in their answer. “If we start a family, Malaysia would be our choice. There’s no other place that offers quality of life and the comfort of being close to family than here.”
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