A note from Gbolahan
There is a saying that love finds you when you least expect it. That has never been so true as when I met the wonderful woman who is to become my wife.
By chance, I was invited to two weddings in Nigeria within six months. The second one is when our paths first crossed. The groom insisted the group stay in a particular hotel, and after some reluctance I agreed, a decision that led to a chain of events that brought me to today.
I usually kept to myself, but my cousin urged me to come downstairs and join the group. I walked in to find Precious, the only woman among a group of men, completely at ease. I would later learn she grew up with six brothers, so this was a walk in the park for her.
My first impression was that she was classy, well-informed and beautiful. I kept looking for an opening to speak to her and finally got my chance when she mentioned she enjoyed suya and plantain, my favourite foods. I saw her a few more times that trip, and every time I was short of words. Fortunately, one day she brought up an issue with sliding doors.
I had zero interest in doors but listened like a lifelong aficionado.
When I was about to leave London, I mustered the courage to ask for her number, hoping at minimum to have her as a friend.
Months passed, life got in the way, and we bumped into each other at my cousin’s barbeque. I tried to act cool by saying she wouldn’t remember me. Thankfully she did. Even then I held back, quietly convinced that someone like her wouldn’t give a second thought to someone like me.
As the year drew to a close, I came across her name scrolling through my phone and decided to roll the dice. She was initially formal, but the moment I said ‘Suya guy’, she warmed up. I asked if I could call her, as she was having a rough day, and ever since, I have been privy to how each of her days goes.
We talked about everything: family, faith, life. I found myself drawn to this amazing woman who is everything I had hoped for and more. She made the end of that year feel effortless, and I knew my life would never be the same.
She brings out the kid in me, whilst being so nurturing that the man in me strives to be the best version of himself.
Now I can’t wait to let the world celebrate my gift from God.
Destiny is all