The Osazuwas wouldn’t have believed if told on the very day they left for the vehicle inspection office in Benin, the Edo state capital some 13 years ago that they were going to meet their soulmate. They would have shrugged off the thought and maintained that they were only going for the business that was taking them there in the first place.
Funny enough, while Mr Osazuwa actually went with his car to renew his papers, Mrs Osazuwa was there not as a car owner but to help his brother who was not in town submit some documents.
It was while on the long and stagnant queue that they started talking. After exhausting close to one hour standing on the line awaiting their respective turns, they eventually got attended to.
After they were attended to, Mr Osazuwa offered to buy water for the both of them to ease the pain of the scorching sun. You can guess the rest of the story…
It’s been 13 years of that vehicle inspection center meeting and 10 years since they both signed the dotted lines to do life together. And they are both loving the decision as they best they’ve made so far!
1. Can you take us back to how your love story started?
Mr Osazuwa: Our story started at a vehicle inspection centre in Benin City. I had taken my car there because I wanted to renew some documents before travelling to Lagos for work.
Mrs Osazuwa: I wasn’t there because I owned a car. My elder brother asked me to help him submit some documents since he was out of town. I honestly just wanted to finish quickly and go home.
Mr Osazuwa: The queue was moving slowly, and people were getting impatient. She asked me if she was standing on the right line because it was her first time there. I explained the process, and before we knew it, we had been talking for like 30 minutes.
Mrs Osazuwa: After everything was done, he offered to buy me a bottle of water because the weather was very hot. We sat outside for a while before going our separate ways. The conversation never really ended.
2. What was the moment you knew “this is the one”?
Mr Osazuwa: The very day she told me she had saved money for months just to help her younger sister pay for a professional course. Seeing how much she cared about her family made me respect her even more.
Mrs Osazuwa: Mine was when I noticed he never spoke badly about people, even those who had disappointed him. He always believed everyone deserved another chance. His kind of heart is not common.
3. How many years have you been together?
Mr Osazuwa: We’ve known each other for 13 years.
Mrs Osazuwa: We’ve been married for 10 wonderful years.
4. What has been your secret to keeping the spark alive all these years, especially after the arrival of kids?
Mr Osazuwa: We don’t wait until there’s a problem before talking. We check in with each other often, even on ordinary days.
Mrs Osazuwa: We’ve also learned not to let stress speak for us. Sometimes you’re not angry with your spouse; you’re just tired. Knowing the difference has helped us a lot.
5. How do you both make each other feel special, even in small ways? What fun habits have stayed with you throughout your marriage?
Mr Osazuwa: Whenever I’m driving and she’s beside me, I reach for her hand at traffic lights. It’s something I started when we were dating, and somehow we’ve never stopped.
Mrs Osazuwa: Every Saturday morning, we play old songs while cleaning the house together. We sing loudly, dance badly and laugh at ourselves. Our children already know Saturdays come with music.
6. How do you handle disagreements or tough moments now, compared to your early years?
Mr Osazuwa: Before, we wanted to solve every issue immediately.
Mrs Osazuwa: Now we know that some conversations are better after both of us have rested. A calm mind hears better.
7. What’s one thing your partner still does that melts your heart?
Mr Osazuwa: She celebrates my efforts, not just my achievements. Even when something doesn’t work out, she reminds me that trying also matters.
Mrs Osazuwa: The way he still open the gate for me whenever we arrive home together, even if he’s tired after a long day.
8. What was one of the biggest challenges you faced together, and how did you overcome it?
Mr Osazuwa: A few years into marriage, we had to relocate because of work. Starting all over again wasn’t easy.
9. What advice would you give to younger couples hoping for a lasting marriage?
Mr Osazuwa: Don’t marry someone because life is easy today. Marry someone you can still laugh with when life becomes difficult.
Mrs Osazuwa: Protect your friendship. Romance changes over the years, but genuine friendship will keep bringing you back to each other.
10. If you could sum up your marriage in one word or sentence, what would it be?
Mr Osazuwa: Steadfast.
Mrs Osazuwa: We’ve learned that lasting love isn’t built by grand moments. It’s built by showing up for each other, again and again.