It is often said that not all love journey starts on an impressive note and I cannot help but agree especially after listening to my latest couple. While they had a rough start, both soon realised they couldn’t let go of the circumstances that led to their meeting. They therefore made intentional efforts to mend fences, build friendship and enjoy a lasting relationship.
It’s been eight years of this sweetness on earth, three years of friendship and five years married. And it’s obvious these ones are just getting started. You need to read this episode!
- Can you take us back to how your love story started?
Mrs Molade: Ours didn’t start like the typical Nollywood fantasy love story. I’m remembering with nostalgia how the drama of that day unfolded. We met at a corporate function. We both represented our respective organisations at the event. And our organisations were competing ones. The clash happened during a question and answer session while we were both defending our organisations at the function. It was so intense that the panel chair had to cut the session abruptly. We were later summoned and told to handle things more professional next time.
However, the melting point for me was when he openly apologised and took blame for the whole fracas. I also apologised and we kept in contact and you can conclude the story from there.
Mr. Molade: I learnt a lot from the spat we had that day though it was nothing personal but I knew almost immediately we could have handled things better. I knew also that if we could jealously protect the interest of our various organisations publicly, imagine how we’ll protect our love, family and any other thing we might share in the immediate and distant future.
- What was the moment you knew “this is the one”?
Mr Molade: She won’t settle at work till she got assurances I’m at work too. While we dated, no month passed without she stocking my house without me knowing. She takes care of my laundry and would approve of my wears before leaving for work or any function. She proved beyond reasonable doubts that she was the one for me.
Mrs Molade: That man never seizes to amaze me. You need to see my parents and siblings glow about him. He sends money to them at random and even visits without pre-informing me. My family were almost assuming he is there son. I knew from that point that we were going places because my family as so choosy.
- How many years have you been together?
Both: Eight years. Dated three years and married for five years.
- What has been your secret to keeping the spark alive all these years especially after the arrival of kids?
Mrs Molade: Our kids have a separate place in our hearts and so is the love we share. We don’t mix that for anything. Doing that has helped us stay true to our commitment and love for each other.
Mr Molade: We don’t joke with quality time together. Could be few hours and even minutes sometimes but we don’t joke with it. We take each other out and never keep anything away from each other’s eyes and hears.
- How do you both make each other feel special, even in small ways? What fun habits have stayed with you?
Mrs Molade: He can send sweet message for Africa. In between work, he can send 15 messages via WhatsApp and normal text messages. He speaks glowingly of me amongst his friends, family and colleagues. He makes me the centre of attraction at all times. I can’t trade those acts of loyalty for anything in this world
Mr Molade: My wife gets to work earlier than I do because of the distance but she can never be productive if she hasn’t gotten confirmation from me that I am at my desk. She never tolerates me eating out and wouldn’t mind the daily stress of cooking and packing my food. She’s so detailed about me that I sometimes wonder if she is another version of myself.
- How do you handle disagreements or tough moments now, compared to your early years?
Both: Communication! Maybe because of our line of specialization, we don’t joke with communication and it has helped immensely.
- What’s one thing your partner still does that melts your heart?
Mr Molade: The payoff line ‘I love you’ after every conversation. That thing na my mumu button
Mrs Molade: The kisses. He can kiss for Africa and he doesn’t mind where.
- What was one of the biggest challenges you faced together, and how did you overcome it?
Mrs Molade: I was when started having kids. You know we were used to not sharing attention. However, we quickly outgrew it knowing our little one must not be starved of love and attention.
Mr Molade: Like she rightly mentioned, it was when we started raising a family. However, we learnt through the process and are now even more in love than we didn’t have kids.
- What advice would you give to younger couples hoping for a lasting marriage?
Mr Molade: It’s your journey. Walk it with pride with your partner
Mrs Molade: Learn through the process and you’ll enjoy it
- If you could sum up your marriage in one word or sentence, what would it be?
Both: Sweetness!