On September 23rd, 2024, it will be officially 31 years since Tunde and I were married. It's sometimes hard for me to believe we have been married for that long. On the other hand, I cannot imagine my life without him!

One faithful evening In June of 1990, not long after my 300 level at the University of Ilorin, my older cousin, Aunty Toyin, came home with this gentleman. I knew him briefly as he had visited the house with some of their other friends to see her. They were colleagues at the Nigerian Ports Authority, and I also knew Tunde was among my auntie’s group of friends. I can’t recall what I was doing at the time, but Aunty Toyin approached me and said, “Oh do you want to get ready? My friend Tunde wants to take you out for dinner.” I was confused, thinking, “Why would he want to take me out for dinner, I barely know him.” She told me he was celebrating something special and thought it would be a good idea to celebrate with me. Aunty seeing how confused I looked then reassured me by saying, “Okay, Deola, It's just dinner. No strings attach.” I remember shrugging my shoulder and thinking, okay whatever.

I got dressed, wearing my favorite red top, and we went to dinner at some new restaurant in Festac. While we were there, we got to know each other a bit more, and then, on our very first date, he proposed to me and said he wanted to marry me! Out of confusion, I reminded him I was 20, just entering my 400 level in school, and was not prepared to get married. Also, I barely knew him and then I knew the tribal difference would come up with my dad. And of course, it did.

Anyway, he told me how much he had been thinking about me and trying to figure out how to talk to me. Fast forward, we dated for about 2 years and did our civil wedding on September 23, 1993. It’s been almost 31 years now. I’ve known Tunde for so long, I can’t imagine life without him. This is a story of not just love but also of commitment. We have three very beautiful and intelligent children, a large extended family and old friends that have become like family. As we both look forward to spending our forever together, we also thank God for the journey so far. This is from the girl who still has the same old attraction, to the guy with the same old reaction! Cheers to forever darling!