Izu and I met through mutual friends though, at first, I didn’t even realize we had met at all. I was literally leaving the emergency room, recovering from being sick, when my cousin called me out of the blue. “I’ve found you a husband,” he said. I laughed. “This one is not serious. As I’m fighting for my life, this one is fighting for my love life!” He insisted, and I told him to go ahead and share my Instagram handle with this “supposed husband.” Izu followed me. And then… nothing. No message, no reaction just a silent observer in the background. Fast forward four months later, and fate decided it was time to intervene again. A young woman came in for a job interview at my workplace, and we instantly connected. She mentioned wanting to introduce me to someone. The next day, she returned, only to say the guy she had in mind had just entered a relationship. But she had another acquaintance in mind she just couldn’t remember his name. As she described him, something clicked. “Wait… is his name Franklyn?” I asked. Her eyes went wide. “YES!” she screamed. And just like that, the dots connected. Franklyn also known as Izu was the same man my cousin had tried to set me up with. She called him on the spot, convinced we’d make a great match. And she was right. Two years later, here we are, getting married. In those two years, I moved out of state, but Izu never let distance get in the way. Month after month, he showed up literally and figuratively. His support, especially in the early days of my career, has been nothing short of incredible. To the man who once watched from afar, too shy to say a word to the man who now stands beside me, ready to build a life together Izu, I am so grateful. Doing life with you is the greatest blessing. Here’s to forever, my love.