MAG2015: MARILYN AND GBOLAHAN LOVE STORY.
THE COUPLE: BRIDE AND THE GROOM
A successful marriage requires falling in love many times, always with the same person
– Mignon McLaughlin
GROOM'S STORY( Gbolahan Daramola)
HOW WE MET
The year was 2010, on one of those summer days in Coventry when my flat mate asked me to accompany him (give moral support) to a restaurant where he was having lunch with his girlfriend (Tega) and her girlfriends who came visiting. Sincerely, I really wasn’t interested but yes I saw myself agreeing to this. On arriving, I saw a young innocent looking GIRL sitting in front of me and yes she was cute. It was just a flash of thought and soon after I discarded it.
About a year and a half later on one of those visits to Abuja, I got a call from Tega and had our usual chitchats. In that conversation I mentioned how bored I was and she said to me, “You remember my friend Mimi that came visiting at Coventry? The tall one. She stays in Abuja”. Before I said Jack Robinson, Tega had given me her number and as an agile boy, I put a call through. I don’t know if it was a coincidence but we soon realized we were only 3 minutes away from each other. That same evening, I asked to meet up and to my surprise, she welcomed the idea – at her place. On arriving, it was like a Mexican soup opera effect (some Telemondo stuvs but this time it was in English and our lips were in sync with the audio sound). I am not for certain if the expression on my face gave me away but yes, the young had grown. Girl had turned Lady; Cute had become Beautiful; million braids had evolved to long flowing Brazilian/Peruvian hair; lip-gloss had switched to red lipstick. In the wise words of 2face Idibia, “Jungle don mature”. To put the cherry on the icing, our conversation was splendid. In all of these, I still didn’t really send. I had just gotten out of a relationship and I had so much ginger (My blood was Hot!!!).
In no time, I found myself talking long hours. We spoke so often that she became a beautiful distraction. Little did I know that all that while I was on the phone with Marilyn, the other ladies had gotten frustrated with the busy tones when trying reaching me and had fled the scene – Marilyn will call that the hand of God chasing away those that want to hinder her breakthrough.
By my next visit to Abuja, My Susie had already started giving me signals (unknown to her) and her friend Nonye just unraveled the speculations the first time I met her. Straight away with a big smile, Nonye said, “So I finally get to meet Gbolahan. I told her I must meet you before you go back to Lagos…… Hope you aren’t going too soon because Junior (her now husband) is on his way too”. I definitely knew that was the result of some girl talk and that Junior was coming to validate if I was a “Correct Guy”. Before then, I thought she was too spiritual to date me. Nonye’s words were like grilled Lion Liver in my stomach – My confidence level moved to maximum. Marilyn’s love had become like Stevie Wonder – That love was so so blind!!!! So blind that it took her almost 9 months to realize she was taller than me (she still thinks she grew taller when she went for her Masters).
Yes, all these happened in time but what intrigued me the most was when I met her family. My God!!! It all added up – The apple fell right at the foot of the tree. They were all the same. Humble, Kingdom (Christianity) cautious and had deep love and respect for one another. I knew immediately those were the kind of values I wanted when raising my own family. This lady had ticked ALL the boxes and I even started owing her points. As the folks say, the rest is history.
GROOM'S STORY
THE PROPOSAL
At the time I was ready to make that big move, I had secretly discussed with my parents and Marilyn’s, stating my intentions of marrying her. I crept into Dubai with my most trusted Ally (My brother, Soji) while she was on a vacation with her girlfriends. Of course their ranks had been compromised – Tega once again was my secret agent – I had gotten all itinerary for the vacation and had lodged into a hotel directly opposite theirs. I had also roamed my phone throughout to avoid any suspicions.
On the night of the proposal, she had just gotten back from her Desert Safari Tour when a delivery came into her room. It was a nice jewelry set I had gotten for her dipped in a box filled with fresh rose petals and a notecard. The moment my naij line rang, I knew she had seen it. It was a mushy conversation and said our goodnights and I love yous. But I had unfinished business. It was time for phase 2.
There goes a knock on her door and its room service with a trolley and another notecard for Miss Marilyn (Soji and I, ducking at the corner of the hotel corridor). After some seconds, I heard screams. That was the signal that Marilyn and the girls had probably opened the dinner plate, ready for a good feast but to their surprise, had found in the plate of roses and a ring at its center. I walked into the room and immediately she saw me, she fell to the ground. That is the longest I have been on my knees since boarding school before she could recover from the shock she had gotten. That day was the 3rd April 2015, a day that brought so much joy to my life that the woman I love most and I am fully committed to accepted to get married to me.
A man once said; you can’t connect the dots looking forward you can only connect them looking backwards…. I definitely know that God had orchestrated this and we just played our roles in His love movie.
BRIDE'S STORY(MARILYN OKOWA)
HOW WE MET
I can’t thank God enough for putting a smile on my face. I met Gbolahan in 2010 when I was preparing to move back to Nigeria after my undergraduate studies. I had gone to Coventry with my friend Ebi (one of my bridesmaids) to visit another friend of ours, Tega (another bridesmaid lol). So we decided to go see this guy Tega was dating at that time and fortunately Gbolahan was his flat mate lol. So we all went out for lunch and that was pretty much it until sometime in March 2012 when I got a call from Tega saying “Oh remember Gbolahan….duhhhhhh I remember his brother more (covers face)”. Anyway she said he had just moved back to Nigeria and was looking to hang out. Of course in my usual manner, I said yea give him my number. So he called and we met up that evening and chatted for over 3 hours, it felt like I was reuniting with an old friend. After he left I blushed and kept blushing lol. We met up every day after that and kept talking about any and everything. Funny thing is that we were getting fond of each other without realizing it. I remember saying to myself…. Ahhh this boy is a no go area ohhh, all I really need now is a man sold out to Christ. However, after battling with
emotions and all we started dating later that year and I can’t be happier because God gave me complete rest throughout our courtship.
It’s been almost 4 years of love, friendship, compromises, laughter, tears, breakthroughs, fights, togetherness, growth and much more. I am grateful to you babe for staying true all this years. Even with the distance for most part of our relationship I got to understand the true importance of communication, it’s freaking to know that I have spoken to you every single day in the last 4 years. You have taught me what it means to love unconditionally and you are the true definition of a man after God’s heart. I hope and pray that I will continue to make you happy because my life took a new turn when I met you. Thank you for everything you do to make me happy and I really look forward to building a home with you and raising kids that will be a light to their generation.
I love you B and see you tonight, tomorrow and every other day of our amazing life together.
BRIDE'S STORY
THE PROPOSAL
My friends and I had planned a short vacation to Dubai for the Easter holiday. So we had a lot of activities lined up for the break and I was just bent on having fun that the possibility of a proposal happening during this holiday didn’t come to mind at all. On the day, we were out for the desert safari and were so exhausted after hours of sightseeing and picture-taking (trust girls to be girls). As tired as I was, all I wanted to do then was take a shower and hit the sheets, but turns out my heartthrob had mega and totally different plans for me. Earlier that day, I received a gift box from Tega, who mentioned it was from Gbolahan- dude really does know how to serenade a lady *wink*- and he wanted me to have it just because….Still, I had no idea. I took a warm shower and was getting ready to sleep when Tega (the same person that I met Gbolahan through) asked that I open the door for the room service waiter. Grudgingly, I walked
down the corridor, behold Gbolahan was at the door with his brother. At that point a million and one things were on my mind…..why is he in Dubai?, oh wow is he here to propose?, oh dear my nails, my hair net lol….omg this is really happening…..all these thoughts flashed pass within seconds. At that point I fell on the floor and Gbolahan went on his knees, holding in his hand, arguably the most beautiful ring I have seen (I’m beginning to think he had a ring fitting session with my fingers in my sleep).
So he asked me to marry him (that’s probably the only statement I remember) lol. I said YES OF COURSE (in my mind I was thinking what took you this long lol). It was such a happy night filled with so much emotions and teary friends. Thank you Gbolahan for every effort you put into this. God bless you.
TIMELINE
HOW WE GOT HERE
WHEN WE FIRST MET
We met for the first time in summer of 2010 through Tega(middle). I was the one behind the camera
– Gbolahan
REUNION - MARCH 2011
We reunited in March 2012. we met up that evening and chatted for over 3 hours, it felt like I was reuniting with an old friend.
– Marilyn
FIRST OFFICIAL DATE
It was officially my first visit to Lagos and we had an amazing breakfast together. It brings back awesome memories.
– Marilyn
GOOD TIMES
With Marilyn, there was always something to do. It’s either a dinner, or a show or a wedding to attend. She definitely loves her time out.
– Gbolahan
ANNIVERSARY
My most memorable anniversary was our second. I was in Lagos for a training at that time and after a long day, Gbolahan took me to this fancy restaurant in VI.
– Marilyn
BIRTHDAYS
Marilyn showed me another level of celebrating people. She treats my birthdays like its hers. I have learnt a lot from her and I have tried as much as I can to make her feel special on hers. She still has more trophies for wowing me.
– Gbolahan
THE PROPOSAL
That day was the 3rd April 2015, a day that brought so much joy to my life that the woman I love most and I am fully committed to accepted to get married to me.
– Gbolahan
STILL ON THE PROPOSAL
So he asked me to marry him (that’s probably the only statement I remember) lol. I said YES OF COURSE (in my mind I was thinking what took you this long lol).
– Marilyn
Copyrights © 2015 Marilyn & Gbolahan.
Marilyn Okowa is the beautiful daughter of His Excellency, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, Executive Governor of Delta State and Dame Edith Okowa, First Lady.
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