A little glam, a little luck, a little long distance and alot of love:
Original Link is here
When Miss Malaysia Universe 2004 Andrea Fonseka married Australian Paul Alexander Dewar on July 31, she became an instant mum to 17-year-old Loren. They are now one big happy family.
If by marrying, you become stepmother to a girl just nine years younger than you, then it would be understandable if you had second thoughts. But Miss Malaysia Universe Andrea Fonseka, 26, had no doubts at all when she decided to tie the knot with Australian lawyer Paul Alexander Dewar.
On her wedding night on July 31, she looked every inch the radiant bride, bouncing into the JW Marriott Ballroom arm-in-arm with Dewar, 39. Not everyone was as certain as she, however, or so it would seem.
In his speech during the wedding reception, her father, Datuk Dr C. G. A. Fonseka, said, “When Andrea told us she wanted to marry Paul, we were hesitant. Her mother and I thought she was too young at 26, and also I thought Paul was a bit of a rascal. But after we met him, we realised he was the best possible husband for our daughter, so welcome to the family, Paul!”
The guests laughed and assumed the good doctor meant “rascal” in the nicest way possible but they were in for a surprise when Fonseka later joked that she would be “a wicked stepmother”. Her remark caused a bit of confusion since not everyone was aware that the groom had a daughter from a previous marriage.
Imagine the guests’ reaction when during the cake-cutting ceremony, a teenage girl clung on to Paul and held Fonseka’s hands. They were somewhat an odd trio but the quizzical looks disappeared when, at last, the 500 guests discovered that the girl, Loren, was really Dewar’s daughter.
Who would have thought?
A whirlwind romance
“Paul never hid anything from me. He told me very early in the relationship that he had a teenage daughter. He proposed marriage two months after we started dating, so all the cards were on the table,” reveals Fonseka after the ceremonies were all over.
“I was slightly uneasy at the thought of being an instant mum or rather, a stepmother, but once I met Loren and Lisa — Loren’s mother — I had no qualms. It didn’t worry me at all that Paul had a daughter.”
Fonseka met Loren and Lisa six weeks after getting to know Dewar.
“Both were lovely to me. Both cared about Paul and were very pleased he had fallen in love. As you saw at the wedding, Loren is an intelligent, considerate young lady who loves Paul very much, though mind you, Paul is very easy to love! There has not been any resentment from Loren regarding her dad getting married. Loren even made a speech and declared her joy at our marriage,” she says.
Actually, having a daughter worked in Dewar’s favour instead of being an obstacle because it reinforced Fonseka’s decision to tie the knot!
“After meeting Loren and witnessing the way he (Dewar) treated his daughter and their affectionate and caring relationship, I was convinced he would make a great father to our children. The timing is perfect. Paul and I plan to have children in at least three years’ time. By then, Loren will be 20 and her relationship with Paul will be that of an adult,” Fonseka adds.
Dewar is also on very good terms with his ex-partner Lisa, who is a plastic surgeon. The two never got married, but Dewar was a responsible father despite becoming one at just 22. So Fonseka is, legally speaking, his first wife!
“I can see your question forming on your lips,” chuckles Fonseka.
“No, Lisa never did any cosmetic surgery on Paul. His handsome looks are entirely natural! Paul and Lisa are on good terms. In fact, they are best friends. They split over 10 years ago on amicable terms so there are no residual issues,” she adds.
Her parents were not over the moon when they discovered their daughter and her step-daughter would be only nine years apart in age.
“My parents were not upset but cautious. Before they met Loren and Lisa, they saw the potential difficulties in the situation. But after meeting them, they were completely relaxed over the whole thing,” Fonseka relates.
Loren and Lisa came to Fonseka’s wedding in Kuala Lumpur and duly attended the church wedding, formal reception, tea ceremony, family lunch and family dinner.
“Lisa is a strong, independent lady and only wants the best for Paul. Both my parents get along very well with Loren, Lisa and my in-laws, so really, it is one big, happy family!”
In honour of his bride’s family, Dewar has officially adopted the Fonseka name. Both now flaunt double-barrelled names — Andrea Fonseka-Dewar and Paul Fonseka-Dewar! The couple will live in Perth.
But how does Loren feel about having a super-glam step-mum?
Fonseka is, after all, one of Singapore FHM’s favourite cover girls. She was voted the World’s Sexiest Woman in FHM Singapore’s 100 Sexiest Women of the World in 2007, a feat she repeated in 2008.
“Loren was a bit cautious at first but once she saw how much I love Paul, she has been incredibly accepting,” says Fonseka.
“She is naturally a very confident, stylish young lady, and we have shared fashion tips. She is very down-to-earth and takes everything in her stride. No problem here! I am the youngest of four girls, so I know all about sisterhood. Loren and I get on since we are practically from the same generation,” she adds.
Meeting Paul
In life, when one door slams in your face, another opens. And so it was with Fonseka.
Her former boyfriend, an Aussie working in Singapore, dated her for two years before they split up. Nursing a broken heart and wishing to get away from Singapore and all the bad memories, last September, Fonseka went on a holiday to Perth to visit her sister Lena. Within 12 hours of arrival, she had met Dewar.
“Lena and I decided to go clubbing with a good friend, Daphne Chan, who had a good friend named Jodie, who had a good friend named Paul Dewar. Jodie invited Paul to join us,” says Fonseka.
“Andrea and I started chatting and I fell in love before the night was over!” Dewar says.
“Yes it was love at first sight for me but it took a while to persuade Andrea to jump so soon into another serious relationship.”
The next morning, Dewar took Fonseka sailing on his friend Andrew Ross’ boat where they got to check each other out in the fresh light of day.
“Eventually she couldn’t deny the ‘soulmate-ism’ we had, and the rest is history!” Dewar says.
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I liked this article and wondered how nice it must have been to have your broken heart healed in such a wonderful manner!
Xoxo
A
Cinta is Love 
i like this post! how interesting.
By: swan on August 31, 2010
at 9:54 pm