We're getting married!

HIS-STORY I met Adura online. When I saw her profile, I had to say hey—so I did. We agreed to skype the next day. We played a little game of phone tag with the video call before we finally got it. I called and there she was, as beautiful as ever. Usually, it can be awkward to meet someone for the first time and play the “what do we talk about” game, but with us it was easy. I set the tone just by asking her about herself and then the conversation took on a life of its own. We talked from that night to the next morning. I know this because I claimed I would stay up longer than her, a challenge she took very seriously lol. When I fell asleep, she hand-wrote a note and screenshotted me on the note to let me know that I was the first to fall asleep. It was both the cutest and funniest thing. I felt something with her that I couldn’t explain then, but it makes sense now—we were meant for each other. She’s my soulmate.

HER-STORY In 2013, I met Qui online. I thought he was very attractive. So, I responded when he messaged me. We chatted for about five days. Then, he asked for my skype and we ended up video chatting soon thereafter. We spoke all night, and I knew I had found something rare and special. I am usually very reserved and don’t share personal details about my life with just anyone. But, here I was with this man I met less than a week ago online, talking to him like I had known him my whole life. Every conversation we had was so natural. I had never met anyone like him. We stayed on Skype till the next morning. In fact, we had a challenge as to who was going to stay up longer. I was not backing down from a challenge so I made sure to stay up lol. He ended up falling asleep on Skype 🤪 Seven days later, we went on our first date. More than seven years later, there is no question in my mind that we are meant for each other. I knew it that night on Skype, and I know it now. God has been faithful to us and I cannot wait to marry my best friend!

Getting the ring was the easy part. I knew what she wanted, and I had her family’s blessing. It was go time! Adura knew I had the ring; so, the challenge was to make the proposal a surprise. I brainstormed with our families and came up with a cunning plan. It involved my pastors, with whom I was developing a close relationship. Those who know me know I try to avoid asking for anything, but this was an exception. The plan—the plan was simple. I would tell her my pastors invited us over for dinner. It was a dummy day set up so she wouldn't see the good ole knee drop coming. When the day finally came, we arrived at my pastors’ place, but everyone wasn’t there yet. So, we started a movie under the guise that the food wasn’t ready. I think it painted the picture that this was a regular outing, nothing too special about it. Though the entire time, I am nervous, wondering if my drop form will be cool. I wondered—What is she thinking? Does she know? How will it turn out? Midway through the movie, it was showtime. We make our way over to the kitchen, and when she turned the corner, everyone was waiting in the living room. I smiled when I saw the look on Adura’s face because I knew I succeeded in surprising her—mission accomplished. When she turns to look at me, I am dropped to one knee, ring in hand. I had a speech prepared, but suddenly, I was short of words. The woman of my dreams was standing before me, and with one very important question, our lives were about to change. I took her hand and asked her to marry me and she said....YES! P.S. No one told me how difficult it would be to put a ring on a shaky hand!

I knew Qui was going to propose soon because I knew he had a ring—I’m very nosey lol. A week or so before, Qui told me that his Pastor and the wife want to meet us for dinner and talk about our future plans. I thought nothing of it. The funny thing was this man made it seem like he didn’t understand why his Pastor wanted to speak with us. I was even reassuring him that it was probably to talk about marriage and related matters. On the day of the proposal, I noticed my dad cooked. When I saw the suya meat in the oven, I should have known something was up! Qui picked me up. When we got to his Pastor’s house, the “food” wasn’t ready, so we went to their theatre room to watch a movie while we waited. Eventually, the “food was ready”. As we entered the kitchen, I looked up towards the living room and saw both of our families smiling and screaming. I then turned around and the love of my life was on his knees. I was shaken and confused. I literally said “what are you doing” 😂 I don’t really remember what he said. I just know he said my name, asked me to marry him, and teary-eyed, nervous, with my hands shaking, I said YES!