It's Our Wedding!!!!!

Our love story is one that was orchestrated by God and written in the stars. The bible says in Romans 8:28 that "And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose". Once upon a time, way back in 2011, I found myself at a birthday party in Lagos, Nigeria. It was Olajide's sister's big day, and a friend named Mariam (The law) brought me along. Little did I know, destiny had a plan. At the party, Olajide couldn't take his eyes off me, though he'd never admit it now lol. He was the perfect host, but after the party, we drifted apart. I saw him a few times as he walked past my high-school on his way back home with his TD board in his hand (I make fun of him about his TD board lol). Still, fate had more in store. Three years later, I gained admission to study medicine at Unilag. One day, while I went to school for my registration process, guess who I saw? Olajide, strolling by the faculty of sciences. I called out to him, but he didn't recognize me at first. Yet, he got my number and texted me later, realizing who I was. From that day on, we chatted and called each other every single day for months. He made me laugh everyday with his dry jokes 😂. It felt like magic, like we were meant to find each other again. One day, he asked me to be his friend (he meant girlfriend lol). I said yes to being his girlfriend and we became official. This young man treated me with so much kindness, respect, and love. I could do no wrong in his eyes. Few months later, my mother informed me and my siblings that we had been approved to join my dad in the States. We were so happy about this but I didn’t want to leave the love I had found behind. I remember the look on his face when I told him we were finally relocating. He was happy for my family, but we were scared for us. He promised me he would try to transfer his undergraduate studies to the US, which didn’t work out. We decided to fight for us and see how far we could go which was not the easiest thing in the world. I’m very thankful we had some good friends rooting for us and I prayed for God's direction and guidance through it all. Each time we thought we couldn’t and we decided to date other people, we ended right back to each other. Sometime in the fall of 2020, he surprised me with an email saying he had gained admission to the University of Michigan for his masters with scholarship. I was elated, excited, and so grateful to God. And now, here we are, a decade after the birth of our love, through our ups and downs, by the grace of God getting ready to tie the knot! Looking back on the first day we ever talked, it’s kinda crazy to think about because I never would have guessed then that every day since we would slowly build the most unbreakable bond, and he would be the person I get to spend the rest of my life with standing by his side. But that's love for you, full of surprises and happy endings. I can't wait to spend forever with this man, a man that loves me as God commanded, Olajide David, my peace, and the love of my life ❤️

Saturday, November 12th: A 10th birthday party, a day exit from Boys Brigade camp, and my kid sister playing matchmaker… that's where I first saw my future wife. At the corner of the party, I spotted my family friend "The Law" seated with her friend, having a good time. I attempted (and hilariously failed) to act suave as I was introduced to my best friend – did I mention this girl was stunning?   Turns out fate had a few more tricks up its sleeve. Remember that chubby kid with the 'riz' and the TD board x bag (because we must secure the bag, you know?) Well, he became a regular fixture on the streets of Iju, conveniently passing by her school to say hi. Smooth moves, I know. Turns out, my best friend was into me (if you know, you know, but she will deny it).   Fast forward to September 2014 in Unilag, heading to class (on my grind as usual, because I just want to make Mama proud). As I strolled through the Faculty of Sciences, I heard someone call my government name “Olajide.” I turned in that direction, and suddenly, the sun wasn’t the brightest thing (or maybe because I had been walking from Biobaku, ha-ha). She was even more radiant, and my brain basically short-circuited, my memory playing tricks on me. It took me a minute to place her, but then it clicked – birthday party girl! Alas, as Destiny would have it, it’s my OPP 🥹   We caught up, she needed help with registration, and boom – the smooth operator that I am, I snagged her number and pin "to help out." Letting her know that I didn’t mind showing her around and helping her with her registration (Ki lo kan Engineering student pelu Medical student registration). Who knew offering to fix someone's registration was the 2014 version of sliding into DMs?   We spent amazing months catching up, laughing, and, well, let’s just say I was head over heels. I then mustered up the courage to ask her to be “my friend.” 'Be my friend?' Yeah, I wasn't the king of romance back then. But hey, this Yoruba angel took pity on me, dragged me to church... and the friendship thing kinda caught fire. Then came 2015, little did I know Destiny had a curveball planned, my first taste of breakfast – she was off to the States! Princess does not like Unilag's stress. Like a true lovesick fool, I even asked my dad if I could follow her. Spoiler alert: he wasn't impressed. (Olopa no gree 😔). Still, we kept in touch, stayed in love, fought hard to stay together, and I never stopped thinking about her.   Unilag struggles? Check. NYSC shenanigans? Done. And with amazing friends like The Law, Ife (Tope), Seyi, and Kayode being in our corner and constantly reminding me what I was missing, I knew I had to make a move. I was fortunate to land in the States in 2021. Sure, I told my parents it was for a master's degree… hehe, but my real goal? Reunite with my best friend. We picked up where we left off, making memories, having our playful fights, and laughs, and falling deeper in love.   And now, by God's grace, I'm ready to make the whole 'husband' thing official! I love you, babe. You're my Eli, my heart, and I can't wait to call you, my wife.🤪❤️