[Couple Spotlight] “Ours started from a tailor’s shop,” How a mixed up outfit ignited forever love journey for the Olatunjis

Some innocent actors sometimes play the best of roles in people’s love journey without them knowing. This explains the unique case of the meeting circumstances of my spotlighted couple this week. 

Both were clients of a neighbourhood fashion designer in Surulere. As luck would have it, the designer was into unisex fashion designs. Both Mr and Mrs Olatunji had without any prior knowledge at different times patronised the fashion designer and both at gone to request their finished fabrics at the same time.

It was at this point that the fashion designer unknowingly made them emergency couples by mixing up their fabrics. And as if they had been waiting for that prime opportunity, even before the mix up was sorted, both customers had started talking and even exchanged contacts without the fashion designer’s knowledge and you can guess what that has now led to.

It’s been 11 years since that mix up saga and after two years of friendship, the lovebirds signed the dotted lines. It’s been eight years of doing life together as lovers and you can guess from their countenances that they will forever be grateful and full of prayers for that fashion designer whose shop it was that their path first crossed.

Come with me!

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

Mr Olatunji: Our story started at a tailoring shop in Surulere. I had gone there to collect an outfit for a friend’s wedding, only to discover that the tailor had mixed up my clothes with someone else’s order.

Mrs Olatunji: That “someone else” was me . I had gone to collect my own outfit and was equally upset because my package was missing. We both stood there arguing our cases to the tailor.

Mr Olatunji: The poor tailor was confused. At some point, we started laughing because we realised neither of us was at fault. While waiting for the issue to be resolved, we began talking and discovered we had a lot in common.

Mrs Olatunji: The outfit was eventually found, but by then, we had exchanged numbers and agreed to stay in touch.

 

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

Mr Olatunji: A few months into our friendship, my business suffered a setback. Most people only want to be around you when things are going well, but she stayed the same. Her support never changed.

Mrs Olatunji: For me, it was the way he treated his younger siblings. He was very involved in their lives and genuinely cared about their growth. That told me a lot about the kind of husband he would be.

 

3. How many years have you been together?

Mr Olatunji: We have known each other for 11 years.

Mrs Olatunji: And we have been happily married for 8 years.

 

4. What has been your secret to keeping the spark alive all these years, especially after the arrival of kids?

Mr Olatunji: We don’t take each other for granted. We still say thank you, still apologise, and still appreciate the little things.

Mrs Olatunji: We also make room for laughter. Children bring joy, but they also bring responsibilities. We try not to lose our sense of fun.

 

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 Olatunji: I know she loves snacks, so anytime I stop at a supermarket, I usually come home with something small for her.

Mrs Olatunji: I always save the best part of whatever meal I’m eating for him . One funny habit we’ve kept is rating every wedding or event we attend on our way home. We talk about the food, the music, the outfit…everything.

 

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

Mr Olatunji: We’ve learned that not every issue requires an immediate response.

Mrs Olatunji: Sometimes taking a little time to think before talking helps us communicate better.

 

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

Mr Olatunji: The way she celebrates my wins, no matter how small they seem.

Mrs Olatunji: The way he remembers random things I mention in passing and surprises me with them later.

 

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

Mr Olatunji: Our biggest challenge was adjusting to parenthood for the first time.

Mrs Olatunji: It came with many sleepless nights and new responsibilities, but we learned to work as a team.

 

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

Mr Olatunji: Don’t focus only on finding the right person. Focus on becoming the right partner too.

Mrs Olatunji: Remember that love grows through daily actions, not just big romantic gestures.

 

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

Mr Olatunji: Partnership.

Mrs Olatunji: Two people growing stronger together through every season of life.