The Number 7

What’s so special about the number 7?

I guess it all started when God created the world in seven days. Perhaps that’s the primary reason why the number has been accorded “special” status. There’re seven days in a week and also the seven wonders of the world.

But if you think all “7”s are glorious, check out the Seven Deadly Sins of mankind: Lust, Gluttony, Sloth, Envy, Wrath, Greed, and Pride. These dastardly sins also inspired a fantastic film starring Brad Pitt and Morgan Freeman in the aptly titled 1995 movie “SE7EN” directed by David Fincher.

To prove that “seven” continues to reign, here’re a couple of some other famous movies with the word “seven” in them: Six Days Seven Nights, (1998), Seven Years in Tibet (1997), The Magnificent Seven (1960), The Seven Year Itch (1955), The Seven Samurai (1954), Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (1954) and even Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937).

There are also phrases and idioms in the English Language which include the use of “seven”. For example, “seventh heaven”, “in sixes and sevens”, “seven sheets to a wind”, “seven year itch” etc.

And if you’re wondering why I’m suddenly so preoccupied with this number, it’s because I just celebrated seven years of marriage on Thursday.

Nothing extraordinary happened except for the fact that the hub and I had dinner at Prego, an Italian restaurant at Raffles City. Prego was actually the first place we had dinner together more than a decade ago though it wasn’t technically our “first” date since Ian, Sum’s business partner and our mutual friend since NUS days, was there as well. Ian’s the one whom I credit (or blame, depending on my mood) for bringing Sum and I together.

With the kind of hectic schedule and frenzied work pace we’re both immersed in, having a peaceful dinner without the kids is a much treasured opportunity. We’d settled on Prego because they serve excellent Italian fare (coupled with exorbitant pricing) and I had suggested we re-visit the memorable makan haunt just to savour the nostalgia. Sum went for his perennial favourite – a rack of lamb, while I settled for veal. He ordered a glass of red wine and I only took a few sips (I don’t want wen to become drunk through my milk).

Before we left the restaurant, we received a surprise when the waiter told us that Prego was presenting as a small token – a small cake. Apparently Connie, the hub’s personal assistant who had made the dinner reservation, had informed the restaurant staff that we were celebrating our wedding anniversary. It was a sweet gesture. Sum joked that the next time we dine at Prego’s, we should tell them it’s our wedding anniversary again, just to see if we can get a free cake. So typical of my husband. Heh heh.

To me, occasions such as birthdays and anniversaries should be accorded a special status and no matter how busy we are, we have to make time for them. For weeks, I’d racked my brains on what to get for Sum and I finally decided to buy seven items to celebrate our seventh wedding anniversary. The seven neither-spectacular-nor-original gifts included 3 music CDs (soothing music for him to listen in the office when he’s stressed out at work), 2 “Baby Blues” cartoon books (light-hearted entertainment for him to read in the office when he’s stressed out at work), 1 photo frame (with a rare picture of a smiling wen for him to look at in the office when he’s stressed out at work) and 1 shirt (boring but practical item).

When he dropped me off at the MRT station on my way to work in the morning, I casually motioned to the backseat and said, “Your presents. Happy Anniversary”. Later, when we met later for dinner, he handed me a shocking pink and bright blue carrier and asked me to guess what he had had gotten for me. Without thinking hard I blurted “chocolates” and I could tell that he was pleasantly surprised about my accurate guess. I didn’t tell him then, but after knowing each other for more than 10 years, it would be a disaster if we couldn’t read one another’s minds!

The hub had smsed earlier and complained “now I have to find you 7 presents!” although I replied that it wasn’t necessary to get me a gift. Sum’s not the romantic extravagant type and he’d rather buy practical items than perishable ones like flowers. So while waiting for me, he’d decided to buy seven pieces of designer chocolates at Raffles City. I suspected he would buy something at the last minute, but the gift of handmade truffles was an extra bonus to me since he often nags at me about my chocoholic addiction.

All in all, it was a simple, quiet meal and we chatted about the home renovation, office work and the kids. I was looking forward to some quiet, quality time with him but in all honesty, it was a non-event. Throughout dinner, I found it strange that as a married couple, we don’t seem to have much to talk about other than the usual stuff – renovation, office work and the kids. I’m curious if this happens to all married folks. If that’s the case, it’s no real wonder why some people prefer to steer clear of matrimony, choosing instead to indulge in strategic romantic alliances which may be terminated without legal consequences whenever a partnership turns unsuccessful.

Seven years of marriage have swiftly flown by. Not exactly as blissful as I’d hoped for and the cotton-candy moments are getting fewer and further between. And with my two kids monsterina and rascalrella in tow, it’s not going to get any easier. So here’s to the next seven years. And more.