[Couple Spotlight] “Secondary school sweethearts,” How the Adelajas reconnected for love 18 years after graduation

If it is meant to be, no matter the years or distance in between, it will definitely come to be. Life experiences and happenstances has revealed that we can hide for a while from our shadows but can’t run away from it. 

This in a nutshell describes the love journey of my spotlighted couple this week. Both were secondary school mates and despite their ‘once in a while casual greetings,’ love still found a way of uniting them for something even beyond their own imagination.

The fresh journey to this love destination started when they both met at their former class mates wedding. Both attended and recognised themselves almost immediately despite the years past.

Conversations picked up immediately and thank the stars both were still in their ‘single moments’. With maturity and knowledge acquired over the years, both were convinced of their new found interests in themselves and the rest they say is now history.

It’s been 11 years of living life as husband and wife and you can tell from their demeanor that these lovebirds are having the best of their lives together!

 

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

Mr Adelaja: We actually attended the same secondary school in Ibadan, but we were not close then. I knew her as one of the quiet girls who always seemed serious about school. We only exchanged greetings once in a while.

Mrs Adelaja: We knew each other back then, but nothing serious at all. The funny thing is that after secondary school, everybody went their separate ways. Years later, we met again at a friend’s wedding in Lagos and recognised each other immediately. That reunion changed everything. We spent almost the whole event talking about old school memories and laughing about things we never noticed back then.

 

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

Mr Adelaja: It was how easy it was to talk to her. There was no pressure or pretending. Being with her felt familiar from the beginning.

Mrs Adelaja: For me, it was his maturity. We had both grown from who we were in secondary school, and I liked the man he had become.

 

3. How many years have you been together?

Mr Adelaja: We’ve known each other for over 18 years if we count our school days.

Mrs Adelaja: We’ve been married for 11 years now.

 

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

Mr Adelaja: We still enjoy each other’s company like friends.

Mrs Adelaja: We don’t stop making effort just because life gets busy.

 

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 Adelaja: Sometimes we still gist about secondary school days like teenagers

Mrs Adelaja: He calls me by my old school nickname till today. One habit we’ve kept is eating late-night snacks together after the kids sleep.

 

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

Mr Adelaja: In the early years, we both wanted quick answers during arguments.

Mrs Adelaja: Now we’ve learned to calm down first and talk later with clear minds.

 

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

Mr Adelaja: The way she remembers little details about me.

Mrs Adelaja: The way he still tries to make me laugh when I’m stressed.

 

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

Mr Adelaja: Adjusting to Lagos life as a young couple was not easy.

 

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

Mr Adelaja: Friendship is very important in marriage.

Mrs Adelaja: Don’t stop choosing each other, even during difficult seasons.

 

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

Mr Adelaja: Comfort.

Mrs Adelaja: A love that feels like home.