IPOH: The general post office strategically located in the heart of the city here is a well-known landmark that continues to serve the public.
Residents rely on it to buy stamps and first-day covers, mail letters, pay bills and miscellaneous things.
But for an interracial couple, it was the place where their "happily ever after" love story began.
Shahrul Aznil Alias, a former postman from Bidor, first met his wife of 16 years, Nur Syafiqah Hew Abdullah, in 2003, while they were working as clerks at the general post office.
Fast forward to the present day, the couple, both 44, have three daughters, aged between 9 and 15.
They still work in the frontline at Pos Malaysia, albeit with different positions at different workplaces.
"It was love at first sight for me when I first laid eyes on her. I took things slowly as we were colleagues. At the workplace, our focus was on our jobs."
Before tying the knot in 2005, Shahrul said they would often meet at a restaurant owned and run by Syafiqah's father.
"When I approached her parents to ask for their blessings to get married, I brought along a friend who spoke Cantonese to explain to them my intentions. Much to my relief, her parents agreed to let us tie the knot," said Shahrul.
Syafiqah said her father did not have any problem with her marrying someone of a different race and faith.
She said her father was impressed with how polite and well-mannered Shahrul was, coupled with the fact that he was upfront about his intentions.
"While we were dating, we used to meet at my father's restaurant, so they got to know each other, which made things easier.
"When I first met Shahrul's parents, I got a pleasant surprise when his mother told me, 'What are the two of you waiting for? Go ahead and get married, lah!"
"When we informed our superiors and colleagues that we were getting married, they were very happy for us."
As the country celebrated Malaysia Day, Syafiqah looked back at her relationship and admitted that no one was shocked when she married Shahrul.
As Malaysia is a multiracial country and a model for others in terms of integration and unity, she said, mixed marriages are nothing new.
"We are a peaceful and harmonious society. We get along well with one another. It's been like this even before independence," said Syafiqah, who is now the branch manager of the Gunung Rapat post office.
Shahrul said their family of five were patriotic and each year, come August and September, they would hoist the Jalur Gemilang at their home to celebrate National Day and Malaysia Day as a show of national pride, solidarity and unity.
This was what he and Syafiqah picked up as Pos Malaysia employees because post offices in the country always flew the Jalur Gemilang when celebrating the nation's birth.