“Buying books for love?,” How The Abdullahis’ customer-attendant relationship in Kaduna bookshop blossomed into lifetime marital journey

One worked in the bookshop and the other, a prospective customer, simply walked in to get a book. Nothing in their imaginations would have prompted them to believe what would happen next from that casual meeting. 

The bookshop attendant, not anticipating anything after the service, simply put on her usual quality customer service skills, helping the customer easily finding the particular book he came for. However, the customer upon satisfactorily getting the book, all thanks to the attendant who didn’t simply wait by her desk to receive payment for the book but helped him save time locating it, decided he would call back, maybe or maybe not for another book.

He fulfilled his promise and did call back but not solely for books as you may have also guessed right🤫. Mr Abdullahi was not a book reader, he also appreciates attendants who go out of their ways to offer quality service to their customers. So he wanted something more with this attendant outside of the usual book selling.

He expressed his feelings and the attendant reciprocated the gesture. They soon started a relationship and the rest as you may be aware is now history.

Ladies and gentlemen, it’s been 12 years of that bookshop meeting between the two love birds. It’s been 10 years of saying ‘I do’ and agreeing to walk the path of honour together as man and wife.

Looking back, they feel it’s the best decision of their lives and even touched on some other things that you may find interesting.

Couple spotlight cupcakes, I present to you our latest lovebirds, Mr and Mrs Abdullahi!

 

1. Can you take us back to how your love story started? 

Mr Abdullahi: We met at a bookshop in Kaduna where she worked. I visited the shop to buy a book, and she attended to me. We got talking when she helped me find what I was looking for. I liked how friendly and easygoing she was, so I returned a few times, and we gradually became friends.

Mrs Abdullahi: I was working at the bookshop when he came in to buy a book. He was polite, and we had a brief conversation while I attended to him. When he came back another day, we talked a little more. I enjoyed our conversations, and with time, we became close.

 

2. What was the moment you knew, “This is the one”? 

Mr Abdullahi: I knew she was someone I could build a future with because we understood each other. I could talk to her about anything, and she always made me feel heard.

Mrs Abdullahi: It was the way he treated me with respect and how seriously he took our relationship. I saw that he was intentional about us.

 

3. How many years have you been together? 

Mr Abdullahi: We have been together for 12 years and married for 10 years. It has been a journey of learning, growing and building a family together.

Mrs Abdullahi: We have spent 12 years together, including 10 years of marriage.

 

4. What has helped you keep your marriage strong over the years, especially after the arrival of children? 

Mr Abdullahi: We try to make time for each other despite our busy schedules. Having children comes with more responsibilities, but we remind ourselves that our relationship also needs attention.

Mrs Abdullahi: Patience and teamwork haee helped us. We share responsibilities and try not to allow the demands of parenting to make us forget that we are also partners.

 

5. How do you make each other feel special, even in small ways? What fun habits have stayed with you throughout your marriage? 

Mr Abdullahi: I enjoy surprising her with little things she likes. We also tease each other a lot,  it keeps things lively at home.

Mrs Abdullahi: He knows how to make me laugh, even when I am not in the best mood.

 

6. How do you handle disagreements or tough moments now, compared to your early years? 

Mr Abdullahi: We have learnt not to allow anger to control our reactions. We give each other room to speak and try to settle issues without involving outsiders.

Mrs Abdullahi: We are more patient with each other now. In our early years, we sometimes allowed little things to become big issues, but we have learnt to listen and understand each other’s point of view.

 

7. What is one thing your partner still does that melts your heart? 

Mr Abdullahi: She still makes an effort to look after me, even when she has a lot on her plate. I appreciate how thoughtful she is.

Mrs Abdullahi: I love how he remembers little details about things I tell him.

 

8. What was one of the biggest challenges you faced together, and how did you overcome it? 

Mr Abdullahi: Adjusting to the responsibilities that came with raising a family was challenging at first. We had to learn how to plan better and support each other instead of trying to handle everything separately.

Mrs Abdullahi: There were times when balancing work, family and personal responsibilities was difficult. We got through those periods by communicating honestly and reminding ourselves that we were on the same team.

 

9. What advice would you give to younger couples hoping for a lasting marriage? 

Mr Abdullahi: Learn to respect each other and never stop communicating. Marriage requires effort from both people, so be willing to make compromises and grow together.

Mrs Abdullahi: Do not compare your marriage with what you see around you. Every home has its own journey.

 

10. If you could sum up your marriage in one word or sentence, what would it be? 

Mr Abdullahi: A beautiful journey of love, patience and growth.

Mrs Abdullahi: A journey I am grateful to be sharing with the person I love.