Welcome to our Wedding!

Welcome! Whether you’re here because you were invited by one of us, our parents, siblings, or friends, we’re thrilled to have you join us for this celebration. For some of you, this may be one of your first opportunities to learn more about who we are, what we have in common, and how our paths led to this special day. We’re sure many of you are curious about how we met—aren’t you? Well, to start, we share the same faith and are both Rwandans, but the story of how we came together has a few twists. There are countless places where people meet their partners or soulmates! Here’s a list of some of the ways that bring people together and foster lasting connections: - Church, Religious Gatherings, or Worship services; - Workplace or Professional Events; - School or University: Classmates, study groups, or on-campus events; - Travel: Encounters on planes, trains, buses, or while exploring new places; - Volunteer Activities: Community service, charity events; - Friends’ Gatherings and Family Events: Weddings, parties, or holiday get-togethers hosted by mutual friends or relatives; - Shopping Malls, Markets, or Grocery Stores: Casual encounters while shopping or waiting in line; - Sports Clubs or Wellness/Fitness Centers; - Concerts, Festivals, or Cultural Events; - Public Spaces: Parks, beaches, or picnic spots; - Networking or Business Events: Career fairs, or leadership workshops; - Cafés, Restaurants, or Libraries; - Local or Neighborhood Events; - Mutual Hobbies, Etc. Each of these settings can bring people together, so it’s all about staying open to connections in places that match your interests and values. Our Story I’m sure many of you are curious about how we met! Well, our story began at a social gathering, my first large event after COVID-19 restrictions eased. I first noticed her there, but I didn’t think we’d meet again or get to know each other. Two memorable moments from that day, however, brought us closer. During a group photo shoot, I unexpectedly found myself standing right next to her. While she posed with her friends, I noticed she had placed her phone on the garden ground. Worried it might get lost, I picked it up and handed it back to her once they were done, glad to help in a small way. Given my role in the event, she and most others probably didn’t expect that I’d be interested in any of the guests—especially the ladies! Later, I visited the family who had organized the event with my close friend. As we looked through the photos, my focus kept returning to her. After seeing her beauty again, I couldn’t resist asking the family about her, which led to a few laughs. She stayed in my thoughts, and two months later, I decided to ask the family for her contact information and called her, hoping to reconnect. The following month, I gathered the courage to ask her on our first date, and from there, our journey truly began. When you visit our family, we’ll share how that first date went—it’s a story we look forward to telling! We’ll also be happy to show you those photos in person, as we weren’t able to get consent to post them here. We’d love to tell you more about our courtship journey and the joys and challenges of planning our wedding. And to the family who invited us to that event, a big thank you—without you, this story may have never begun! A Little Exercise for Fun! To add a bit of enjoyment to our celebration, our MC will lead a brief, lighthearted discussion for everyone to enjoy—nothing too serious, so don’t take it personally! Here’s how it works: Take a moment to think back to where you first met your partner. For some, this might be a familiar memory, especially for those who grew up together or shared the same neighborhood. Now, if you’re comfortable, turn to the person next to you—especially if you’re married or in a committed relationship—and share where you met and how long it took to get to the decision to marry or commit to each other. We’d love to hear your stories!