P.S. In case you are in doubt, this is really NOT FICTION.
On Saturday, 12th October 2013, Stephens Ojo had a fixed plan: to attend his friend’s wedding and play his part as a groom’s man, clap at the appropriate times during the ceremony and then go home to sleep.
But when you’re 6’3”, fate tends to have other ideas and tinkers with your plans on a regular. When photographers began to match him with the tallest lady on the bridal train for photos, it was only a matter of time before Stephens, an Executive Officer at Avon HMO introduced himself properly.
“They started matching us together for almost all the pictures that we took that day. So the chemistry was gingered right there and then”, he laughs. “I went to her, introduced myself and asked for her number which she initially declined to give, but later changed her mind.”
If her lovely smile was the key to beginning a conversation, the chemistry began to develop even more as they found common ground on a lot of things and acting on his instincts, he decided to take things further that same day.
“I literally proposed to her the very day I met her!”, he laughs. “She is the most beautiful lady I have ever seen and known.”
She already had an inkling about his intentions. “When he told me what he was up to, I was not too surprised because I’d already felt within me that something good was about to happen.”
As he would find out later, Blessing who works as a Customer Relations Officer with UBA Plc was in everyday Naija parlance, ‘proper wife material. “A humble, respectful, caring and kind hearted lady, she is beautiful on the outside and even more so on the inside. She is also skilled in arts and designs, interior décor, bead making, bag making…let me stop here for the sake of modesty”, he gushes.
Eventually, they got married on 16th May 2015, committing to each other till the end of time. For friends, family and other onlookers, their love has been easy to see.
“If you are a visitor who happens to live with us and don’t know our names before, you may never know our names”, Stephen reveals. “All you will hear or know us as is “My love”. That is what is we call each other all the time.”
“Most of my colleagues always tease me by saying stuff like ‘Blessing is really working’, ‘Blessing is really blessing your life’. And for my colleagues in my department, they nicknamed me ‘My love’, in reference to how I call my wife when on the phone with her.”
His colleague, Enitan Sawyerr confirms this. “They are so lovey-dovey and it’s so beautiful to watch.”
But his heart is apparently not the only beneficiary of this wave of joy. “My marriage is the best thing that has happened to me after my salvation. Ever since I got married, I have become better looking, fresher and a bit fleshy. She is keenly monitoring my weight to avoid excess and pot belly.”
“I am fortunate to be married to a God fearing man”, says Blessing. “And I pray our love grows stronger and stronger for ever.”
Not even the intensity of their combined work schedules can hamper their joy. “Maintaining work-marriage balance has not been a problem. In fact, if anything, it has really enhanced our lives, as we both understand that we have a handy helper in each other. Since both of us work, whoever gets home first prepares the dinner. Most times, we prepare it together. I love to be with her in the kitchen cooking, tasting, gisting and touching.”
“Yes!”, she blushes. “My love is a good cook! And I always enjoy his cooking especially his stew. We do almost everything together and I’m amazed at the length he goes to make housekeeping easy and joyful for me. He is the best.”
He advises couples to share no secrets and remain each other’s best friend to keep the spice of marriage and keep third parties out. “Marriage is beautiful when God is at the center of it all. When the couple are best friends, nothing is hidden, no secret. My love knows everything about me including my salary, when it is usually paid, how much I have in my accounts etc. and vice versa.”
It may seem hard to believe but the Ojos really are the perfect love story. If you’re single, now’s the time to look up from your screen and whisper, “To God be the glory” while you pray for yours to happen.
