My dad shyly approached me the night before my parent’s 37th wedding anniversary just to confirm that he had the right date in mind (men and their bad memories!) My mother later on called me and asked why he approached me; but I saved him by saying nothing!

They met where they were both born and bred, in Ibadan, Nigeria.

Mum: It was 1976 and I was a law secretary, and your dad was a stamp duty cashier. As a law secretary, I have to prepare documents and take it to the stamp duties office. That office even still stands there today. I gave the documents to your dad, and his eyes were set on me. 

A few days later I saw him again, and he asked me, “what’s your name?” – I said “Miss Ajala”, and he replied in shock as he said he was also a Mr Ajala! We couldn’t believe it. 

“Where is your family compound?” he asked.

My mother on the big day with her sister by her side. (14th June, 1979)

I then replied to him that my compound was “Oluyole“

I then realised that he asked me to ensure that we were nowhere near living in the same compound, and therefore nowhere near related!

There was meant to be a messenger to deliver documents to your dad’s office, but we didn’t have one at the time- so it was always me. I had no choice but to head over to his office, and loved every time I saw and spoke to him. See how God works?

From then he would call me up to three times a day. 

Mum signing the wedding register. So beautiful!

Dad: “The recipe for  keeping marriage long is to not do the things you know your partner doesn’t like, always care for each other, let your partner know that a yes is a yes, and a no, is a no, cook the meals that you both enjoy, and always tell your partner that you love them with every chance you get.”

My parents have taught me so much about true and real love, it’s fighting through the storms together, it’s submitting yourselves to one another, it’s respect, and it’s understanding.

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

                                                                                           1 Corinthians 13:4-7