[Couple Spotlight] “Wallet, phone lost but…,” How Mr & Mrs Arowolo found love at lost-and-found desk in Lagos

Some eight years ago in Lagos, South West, Nigeria, these innocent lovebirds left their respective homes to go get some items at a shopping mall. No previous knowledge of the existence of each other. They got into the shopping mall, picked up their items and something unexpected happened.

While he was about to pay, Mr Arowolo discovered his wallet was missing. He went straight to the lost-and-found desk of the mall to report the sad incident. It was while at it that this beautiful lady surfaced. Apparently, she also lost an item, a phone. Both registered their complaints to the mall official but wouldn’t stop talking not about the missing item but all the other ‘in-betweens’.

After over two hours of conversation, they realised that beyond the missing items, they still had a connection. Funniest part? The wallet and phone was gone forever but they also found a way to be in each others hearts and arms forever, all thanks to what they lost at the mall.

Two years of friendship and the mall lovers decided to climb the next level. Everything official and formalised. It’s been six years of a beautiful love journey and I can feel it that these couple are just getting started loving each other.

Catch a glimpse of their world below:

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

Mr Arowolo: We met at a lost-and-found desk in a shopping mall in Lagos. I had misplaced my wallet and was trying to report it. While I was there, she came to report a missing phone. We were both frustrated.

Mrs Arowolo: I remember thinking, “At least I’m not the only unlucky person here today.” We started talking while waiting for updates, and before we left, we had spent almost two hours chatting about everything except our missing items.

Mr Arowolo: The funny part is that neither of us found what we lost that day, but we found something much better.

 

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

Mr Arowolo: A few months after we started dating, I noticed how she treated people who could do nothing for her. Whether it was security guards, cleaners, or street vendors, she treated everyone with respect. That spoke volumes about her character.

Mrs Arowolo: For me, it was the way he handled disappointment. Life wasn’t going exactly how he planned at the time, but he remained positive and hardworking. That resilience attracted me.

 

3. How many years have you been together?

Mr Arowolo: We have known each other for 8 years.

Mrs Arowolo: We have been married for 6 beautiful years.

 

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

Mr Arowolo: We celebrate small victories. It could be paying off a bill, achieving a goal, or simply surviving a stressful week. We don’t wait for big occasions to be happy together.

Mrs Arowolo: We also refuse to stop dating each other. Marriage didn’t end the effort; if anything, it made it more important.

 

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 Arowolo: Every month, I leave a short handwritten note somewhere she will unexpectedly find it.

Mrs Arowolo: I save funny videos during the day just to make him laugh when he gets home. One habit we’ve kept is giving each other a full rundown of our day, no matter how ordinary it was.

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

Mr Arowolo: In the beginning, we focused too much on explaining ourselves.

Mrs Arowolo: Now we focus more on understanding each other. It has made a huge difference.

 

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

Mr Arowolo: The way she gets genuinely excited about my achievements, even the small ones.

Mrs Arowolo: The way he notices when I’m tired without me saying a word.

 

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

Mr Arowolo: Our first year of marriage came with many adjustments. We were learning how to combine different habits and expectations.

Mrs Arowolo: We overcame it by being honest with each other and giving ourselves room to grow.

 

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

Mr Arowolo: Don’t marry the version of someone you hope they will become. Marry the person they are and grow together from there.

Mrs Arowolo: Don’t compare your relationship to what you see online. Build your own story.

 

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

Mr Arowolo: Intentional.

Mrs Arowolo: Two imperfect people choosing each other every day.