Turning Heartbreak into Purpose

“You never know the strength of a relationship until it’s tested,” Ms Ruth Ong reflected, drawing from her journey of love, heartbreak, and rediscovery. After a difficult relationship left her feeling anxious and insecure, she found herself at a crossroads. Meeting her now-husband was a turning point.

“The stark contrast of these experiences changed everything for me,” she shared. “The right partner doesn’t just love you—they accept and grow with you. I wanted to create something that would help other couples find that connection and nurture it intentionally.”

This epiphany gave birth to A Year of Us, a 52-week card game that encourages couples to ask thought-provoking questions about values, goals, intimacy, and conflict resolution.

“We often assume relationships will thrive on autopilot, especially in the early stages,” Ms Ong explained. “But sustaining that spark takes consistent effort. I wanted to make prioritising your relationship feel enjoyable and meaningful, even when life gets busy.”

DESIGNED WITH PURPOSE

Influenced by her NUS education in psychology and communication, Ms Ong structured the game around a simple but impactful concept: one set of cards per week, with prompts and activities designed to spark meaningful conversations and moments of connection.

The game’s structure emphasises three core values:

• Discovery: Reigniting curiosity and excitement about each other
• Empathy: Understanding emotions and motivations beneath the surface
• Growth: Empowering couples to evolve individually and as a team

One unique feature of the game is its focus on conflict resolution, a skill Ms Ong emphasises as essential. “Disagreements are inevitable,” she said. “What matters is how couples navigate them together.” Ten specially designed cards guide couples through common conflicts, offering strategies like active listening, expressing needs constructively, and finding win-win solutions.

Interestingly, she once received feedback that the game led to a break-up. “This is not always a bad thing,” she noted. “The goal is clarity — whether that means strengthening a bond or recognising it’s time to let go.”

FROM HEART TO HUSTLE

Ms Ong’s entrepreneurial spirit was sparked by watching her father build an interior design business from scratch. “His determination over decades showed me what it really takes to succeed,” she recalled.

An internship at ShopBack during her time at NUS offered another reality check. “I saw the relentless effort it took to turn an idea into a thriving business. Entrepreneurship isn’t glamorous — it’s about persistence and creating impact.”

These lessons prepared her for the challenges of launching A Year of Us. Balancing her passion for relationships with the realities of running a business, Ruth remains deeply involved in every aspect of her brand, from product design to customer feedback.

GROWING WITH THE COMMUNITY

Since its launch in 2022, the card game has sparked thousands of meaningful conversations between couples, earning praise from users and therapists. The latter have lauded A Year of Us for helping couples connect on a deeper level, improving communication, and enabling them to handle challenges with empathy.

One particularly memorable moment for Ms Ong was discovering that a couple had unknowingly ordered it for one another, both shipping it to the same address. Moved by the coincidence, she decided to help preserve the surprise by packing one of their orders in different packaging to avoid suspicion. Responding to her handwritten note, the couple later reached out to share that it was their first Christmas together, and this small act had made it all the more special and unforgettable. “It’s stories like these that remind me why I started,” she recalled. “Love isn’t just about grand gestures. It’s about the little moments—the ones that bring you closer together.”

Available online and at select retailers, the game has become a dynamic tool for couples seeking to connect on a deeper level. “Hearing how it has strengthened relationships, or even brought clarity to some, is incredibly rewarding,” Ms Ong shared.

WHAT’S NEXT: PRODUCTS THAT SUPPORT OTHER KEY RELATIONSHIPS

While A Year of Us began as a way to deepen romantic connections, its mission goes beyond couples. According to Ms Ong, the “Us” represents every meaningful relationship we choose to nurture—whether with a partner, friend, parent, or ourselves.

“The most important relationship we’ll ever have is the one with ourselves,” Ms Ong reflected. “In 2025, I’m excited to introduce new products that will empower personal growth and help strengthen the relationships that shape our lives.” 

Text by Keenan Pereira