This year’s Chinese New Year felt a little different, yet beautifully familiar in its own way.
On the 1st day of CNY, the three girls and their dad came back to Ipoh. For many years, we would make the annual trip from KL to visit my parents here. But this time, life has come full circle — I’m now the one staying in Ipoh, and it was them who made the journey back home. It felt both surreal and comforting, like watching a tradition quietly evolve.
What made this reunion even more meaningful is that we were once again celebrating Sherilyn’s birthday. Born on the 8th day of Chinese New Year, her birthday has always been intertwined with festive joy. This year, however, carried extra weight — Sherilyn turned 21 on 16 February 2026, marking a beautiful milestone into adulthood.
We had our reunion dinner at Kok Thai Chinese Restaurant. As always, the celebration began with the sweetest moments first — cake cutting and family photos before the main meal. There’s something about pausing before dinner to celebrate life that makes the occasion feel even more intentional and heartfelt.
True to tradition, Sherilyn received double ang pows again — one for Chinese New Year and another for her birthday. It’s a little privilege she has enjoyed since childhood, and one that makes this season especially magical for her. Chinese New Year will always hold a special place in her heart, simply because it almost always arrives hand in hand with her birthday.
This year, Sherilyn chose her own cake from Ferment Boulangerie in Canning Garden — a strawberry shortcake that was as beautiful as it was indulgent. Light, fragrant, and decadently layered, it was the perfect centrepiece for the evening.
As I sat there watching everyone laugh, eat, and celebrate, I realised that while circumstances may change, the essence of family remains constant. Traditions don’t disappear — they reshape themselves around new seasons of life.
And perhaps that’s the true meaning of reunion: not just gathering in the same place, but carrying the same love forward, year after year.
You can watch the video here > https://www.facebook.com/reel/1424737755721445
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