33 Years of Love

I went for a vacation in Fontem in 1985 and attended the famous Azi market. Someone saw me and would not let me be. He invited me and my cousin for a drink, but I turned him down. In my head/brain, I am thinking, “Is he okay? He does not know me and asks us to come for a drink?” The irony is that he knew me and had been looking for an opportunity to speak to me. The population in Muyuka knew that no stranger came to our house, especially a male looking for a female. “How dare you? The student union gala was always on August 15th during all summer vacation. Fast forward--He did not relent on his chase. He was in the University then, and I had just finished form five (high school). He will send younger friends to come and look for me- Gabriel (Gabby). When I started considering him, I asked my aunt to brief me about his family background, and after our discussion, she gave the green light. Also, the fact that he knew and had spent time with my elder sister in Buea made it much easier for him. Fast forward - I accepted to be his friend, went on several dates with him, and gradually fell in love. He introduced me to his family, who were excited to welcome me into their family. We dated for six years and decided to get married in 1991. If you put it together, 6 + 33 = (39 years of being together). We have three beautiful children and three grandchildren and more to come. Our story is very long. There have been ups and downs like everybody else, but for the most part, it has been filled with joy and happiness. I want to thank all those who have been part of us. I will not call names because the list will not end. This man standing here -----------

I met the love of my life in the mid 80s in the famous Azi Market and progressively nurtured the idea that if ever we get married, I will like her to be the mother of my children. I had met with her elder sister, Angela, while living in Buea with my uncle Dr George Atem (Ndi Nkem Atem Asong) and sister Joe Khumbah. She was straightforward, honest, lovely, kind, bold, and told it as is. Later, I met Barrister Tate in Sasse. Same characteristics. Margaret Thatcher, the PM of G.Britain was on World stage/News daily, and when our dating intensified, my friends and myself nicknamed her Thatcher, and would tease me saying “you have the heart of a Lion for going after the mayors daughter.” My response was always “Love has no bounds.” She was caring, compassionate, and had strong faith in God and family. She was strict, prompt, never missing appointments, arriving ahead of time. As kids, we saw her Dad, the lord Mayor of Muyuka, drive daily at 6 a.m. to morning devotion/mass in his land Rover. She told me she was always in those morning rides to church. This attests to her character today. Despite her multitude of family responsibilities, she keeps a full-time job, schooling, marital chores, grand parenting, and social and church groups (CWA). Fast forward to the later 80s, our dating started taking more shape with travels and inter-visits in Yaounde University where I was student, Eyanchang mamfe where she was teaching and Kumba where I was graduate teacher. Later, I got a teaching position in SJC Sasse in 1990. She was transferred to Buea, and in November 30th, 1991, we were bonded in Holy Matrimony by Rev Father Mulligan, thanks to guidance from our parents and the college principal, Pa. Ngando. We started our young family and were blessed with Ramses. Azi, and Ernest, in the presence of the young Sobans who can bear testimony today. After devoting over 8 yrs of youthful lives to the education of the young Sobans in the remote area of Sasse and Tole, I traveled to Belgium thank to my uncle Boniface Takeng. Getrude took full responsibility for our children as a mother, educator, and full-time student at Univ of Buea (UB). Later, she traveled to USA thanks to the assistance of his brother in early 2000. I joined her later in the same year thanks to Mbe Tazi and Ray Nkemateh (late), and we worked hard to reunite with our kids in 2003 in MD. We have been leaving as a united family since 2006 in DE, where our children have grown to positions of responsibilities. Amongst our services to the elderly communities, we started our family foundation A & T Humanitarian Legacy in honor of late parents Achiambo Alexander and Tate B.A. that is serving communities in Delaware and Cameroon. You can deduce that we were raised by communities, so we are giving back. Marriage comes with its problems, but the good thing about us is that nobody hears or intervenes to solve any of our problems (if at all), we solve it behind close doors in the comfort of our bed room. Indeed, we are our own family counselors. So, the seed that was sowed on the faithful day in Fuabetoh Social Club in Azi in the presence of her cousin Anyi Tazi (Mafua ---) is being celebrated on June 22, 2024. Thank you.