Sometimes, love doesn’t arrive in fireworks and grand gestures. It begins quietly, with gentle laughter, thoughtful conversations, and moments that seem small at the time but linger long after. For Jan Derrick Ong and Megan Cheung, love came not at first sight, but in the second chance of a serendipitous dive trip, years after they first crossed paths.
They met through a mutual friend over a casual group dinner. At the time, they were just acquaintances, each living different lives, unaware of what the future held. Years passed, and it wasn’t until a shared diving trip that the tide began to shift. Amidst the calm of the open sea and shared stories under the stars, they truly saw each other for the first time.
A Life Anchored in Purpose
Derrick, a passionate entrepreneur and community builder, is best known for orchestrating immersive experiences, from dazzling fireworks displays as the man behind the country’s biggest fireworks provider Dragon Fireworks to Anvil Business Club speaker forums that connect minds and ignite ideas. Beneath that bold exterior is a grounded soul who finds peace beneath the ocean’s surface as an avid diver.
Megan, on the other hand, brings ideas to life through intuitive digital experiences as a designer and front-end developer. Her creativity, however, doesn’t end in tech. She also runs a business in the cement industry, as a proof of her multidimensional nature and a deep desire to bridge the digital and physical worlds. Whether hiking trails or exploring new passions, she’s driven by curiosity and grounded in purpose.
A Relationship That Grew With Intention
Their love story, like their personalities, is a study in balance.
After their diving trip, Derrick made the first move, asking Megan out on a date. The pandemic delayed their plans, but once the wait was over, they finally had that dinner, and that night became the start of everything. Through laughter, vulnerability, and countless conversations, their bond deepened. As Megan puts it, “He stopped being just my partner and became my home.”
Much of their relationship blossomed long distance: Megan in Canada, Derrick in the Philippines. It wasn’t easy, but distance taught them to be intentional. They learned to communicate deeply, to listen with their hearts, and to hold onto the shared vision they were slowly building.
Their differences only made them stronger. “We’re like yin and yang,” Megan says. Derrick’s outgoing energy complements her introspective calm, and over time, they grew in sync, dreaming of a life not just together, but fully intertwined.
The Proposal That Almost Didn’t Happen
That future took root on a trip to Yosemite National Park with Derrick’s family. After a series of detours and missed trails, they found themselves racing against the setting sun to Glacier Point. There, surrounded by mountains bathed in gold, Derrick proposed. The spontaneity, the natural beauty, and the moment’s quiet intensity made it unforgettable. Megan said yes with her whole heart.
Two Ceremonies, One Love Story
Their wedding reflected their journey: deeply intentional, personal, and grounded in meaning. They chose to elope in Banff, a place that became special to them during their long-distance years. “Canada was my home, but it became our second home,” Megan shares. “Eloping there was our way of honoring that part of our love story.” A celebration with family and friends in the Philippines followed—one intimate, the other full of joyful community, both representing the duality of their love.
Staying Present in a Busy World
Today, as husband and wife, Jan Derrick and Megan continue to navigate life with grace and connection. They prioritize each other, making time amid busy schedules to stay present, whether through daily check-ins or weekly unplugged days. Their relationship thrives on openness, mutual support, and a shared desire to grow both as individuals and as a couple.
Growing Through the Hard Moments
When disagreements arise, they meet them not with ego, but with empathy. “We remind ourselves we’re on the same team,” Megan says. “Love grows deeper not just in the good moments, but in how you move through the hard ones together.”
A Future Built on Trust and Joy
As they look toward the future, their dreams are simple yet profound: to build a loving family, to keep nurturing each other’s passions, and to live a life anchored in trust, adventure, and joy.
To couples walking the same path, Megan and Derrick offer this: “Always communicate openly and listen with empathy. It’s easy to get caught up in the day-to-day, but taking the time to truly understand each other’s feelings and perspectives can make all the difference. Also, never underestimate the power of small gestures, sometimes it’s the little things, like a kind word or a thoughtful act, that keep the connection strong and the love growing.”
What began as an ordinary dinner turned into a love story written across oceans, mountaintops, and quiet dinners at home. For Jan Derrick Ong and Megan Cheung, that story is just getting started.
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