University encounter opened new chapter

Neither Genevieve Antono nor Aaron Landau saw this day coming when they first met. Yet the couple were married on June 29 at Island Evangelical Community Church in Quarry Bay.

They met in 2008 at The University of Hong Kong when they both worked as political theory tutors. Genevieve, 23, has since moved on to get her MA in literary and cultural studies at the university while Aaron, 27, now works as a full-time tutor in the university's department of politics and public administration.

Although seated close to Aaron in the same office, Genevieve did not imagine falling for him at first sight.

'I didn't think he was my type. Aaron's always exceedingly cheerful and talkative. I found it strange and frustrating that anyone could be so happy on a Monday morning,' Genevieve recalled.

However, due to their proximity in the office and spending so many hours together each day, they gradually warmed to each other.

'I began to be very impressed by his passion for social justice. Aaron has a real heart for the poor and disadvantaged,' she said.

'I was also impressed by his capacity for critical reasoning.'

Aaron said: 'For me, it's when I realised that Gennie had a lot of the things I desired. She is very intelligent, spiritual, patient and kind-hearted. We have similar academic interests on topics like multiculturalism and law, which also overlap with our shared views on social justice.'

Genevieve was also the first woman Aaron had been able to trust with all his heart, he said.

'Instead of being constantly judgmental and demanding, Gennie is a person who heals and empowers.'

Aaron proposed to Genevieve in October last year, after just six months of dating.

'I really appreciate how he inspires and challenges me to refine my own thinking. Being around him made me a better person, and I soon realised that if I was going to be with one person for the rest of my life, it would definitely be this guy.'

The couple went on honeymoon last week to Phuket and came home with a suitcase filled with books after a shopping spree.