Boarders return for engagement photoshoot

Li Hoi Ming (Mina) and Lam Hoi Chun (Richard) met as boarders at Freemen’s 14 years ago.  

“We met in maths,” explains Mina as she prepares for her photoshoot with Richard in Main House. Mina and Richard have returned to Ashtead on a very warm and sunny Saturday in September for their engagement photoshoot.  

After graduating university their romance became long-distance with Richard living in London and Mina in Hong Kong. 

“It was very hard,” says Richard. “We only saw each other once during Covid.” But Richard recently returned to live in Hong Kong, where he works for a Hedge Fund. Mina is a solicitor, specialising in intellectual property. 

“Freemen’s is such a special place to us,” says Mina on why they wanted to return to mark their engagement here. They plan to marry in Bali in 2024. 

Both Richard and Mina came to the school in 2009. Richard studied A level Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry and Economics, while Mina studied Mathematics, Psychology and Economics, leaving in 2011. 

Richard is thankful for the advice his teachers gave him. He wasn’t sure what he wanted to study after Freemen’s and was deciding between medicine and economics. It was his economics teacher who suggested he should study economics, which he went on to study at UCL, before studying for a Masters at Cambridge. 

The couple share stories of Main House which was the girls’ boarding house in their time. Mina points to the stairs where she cried because she was homesick, before posing for their photographer. 

Richard tells me that most of their friends were couples when they were at the school, but they are the only couple still going. 

“Ultimately, the most memorable thing at Freemen's is the people we meet and the relationships we form, as they shape our experience and leave a lasting impact on our lives,” says Mina. 

The ski trip to Folgarida, geography trip to Iceland and Christmas trip to Belgium were all unforgettable to us. Apart from that, we definitely cherished the countless weekends spent in the boarding house's common room with our friends watching a football game while cooking meals together.”  

They both remember taking photos on the terrace outside Main House for their Sixth Form prom and happily pose to recreate the picture. 

Their advice to new boarders at Freemen’s is to make the most of this transformative period of your lives. 

“It's crucial to prioritize your education and strive for academic excellence, but don't let it consume your entire identity,” they explain a few weeks after the shoot. "Explore your passions, interests, and hobbies outside of the classroom. Engage in extracurricular activities, clubs, and sports that align with your interests, as they not only provide opportunities for personal growth but also help you build valuable skills and make a lot of good friends!”  

“Take advantage of the guidance and support offered by teachers and mentors, seeking their advice and wisdom. Embrace challenges and setbacks as valuable learning experiences, and never be afraid to ask for help when needed. Remember to maintain a healthy work-life balance, as self-care and social connections are equally important aspects of your overall development. Boarding school life is a time for self-discovery, growth, and laying the foundation for your future. So, seize every opportunity, cherish the moments, and make the most of your unique boarding school journey at Freemen's.”