It started in 2017, at a Leadership training graduation. My younger brother was named the most outstanding of his cohort, and Mariam, his mentor, was there behind the camera. I caught a glimpse of her more than once that day, and tried very hard to get her to notice me.

Years later, my friend Kingsley called to vent about a fight with his best friend. That best friend was Mariam. I told him to go and apologise, then promised I’d call her myself to make sure he did. She was surprised anyone would go that far. We never really stopped talking after that.

Our first date was Bojo Beach. She loves the ocean for the sound of it and the calm of it, and I was happy to follow her to the water. We talked until the tide came in.

As our story unfolded, it became clear that God had been writing it all along. When the time was right, I asked her to marry me, and she said yes.

We’d love nothing more than to have you with us as we begin this new chapter together.