We met on Facebook in 2014 but let me rewind to 2007
In 2007, my friend, Tobi, briefly introduced me to this lady inside Mozambique Hall, Oba Awon University (OAU), Ile-Ife. At that time, I was a bit popular in school so I didn’t quite register the name or face. I met a lot of ladies at that time too – crushed on one, so I formed cool. In 2009, I met this lady again through another friend – Temitope Kosoko who had invited her to a youth bible club where I was a member. Because Bambino Bible Club was my zone, I was nice to her when we met again but still, I didn’t register the face nor the name.
Fast forward to 2014, a certain Lanre and I became friends on Facebook. In the same year, I wrote my second book – The God-Size Void in 4 days. Then I got a message on Facebook chat from this Lanre informing me that he* had read my book and he* was just calling my attention to the numerous typographical errors. In my mind, I thought: “I wrote, edited, designed and published a book in 4 days, what did you expect?” But I replied nicely. Another day, the Lanre popped up and said hello. I decided to check through the profile properly and I discovered that the Lanre was actually female; all the while I didn’t know the person I was chatting with was a female because of her name and profile picture. It was then that I found out, too, that she was the same lady I had met in 2007 and 2009.
I don’t like Facebook chats so I got her PIN and we became very good friends until we met her physically…again….at Foodco Fast Food, Bodija. I’ll never forget that day, what she wore, the hair she had on and the smile that brightened her face. From that meeting on, we developed a strong bond and that was how it all began. I got involved in her children initiative – Aunty Lanre Initiative, and she got involved in the things I did too. We became core members of each other’s lives, thereby helping each other fulfil purpose. For example, Aunty Lanre Initiative continues to be a growing institution that reaches out to children. Together, we co-wrote a book which we launched on our wedding day and that book was listed as one of the books of the year by Channels television last year. Huge impacts like this that we have had on each other has become unquantifiable.
Loving Lanre has changed me profoundly. I am less critical of people, life or myself. She’s made me see life’s beauty in the tiny details included or omitted in anything or anyone I come across. Since loving her, I see clearer that life is NOT about me but that there’s a higher purpose and that purpose is NOT emotional but INTENTIONAL.
————
My wife is passionate about children and she has worked really hard to build a brand in Aunty Lanre Initiative; so when I was going to propose to her, I did it in an orphanage home. It was beautiful and it resonated with her purpose. Our mentor, mum and Director of Tabitha Home worked closely with me to make the proposal a success. She called my wife to say there was an appreciation program for her. My wife invited me and other Aunty Lanre Initiative (ALI) volunteers. The kids shared thoughts about her, on the 1st of November, 2015. They did a dance performance and so did TJ dance. Then the video came up – I had produced a video that featured amazing friends and mentors saying lovely things about her. Gbenga Adenuga, Mofoluwaso Ilevbare, Bayray McNwizu and other amazing people made the video super.
SHE HAD NO IDEA it was her proposal party until she saw the end of the video when I popped the question. It was great. I love loving my Olanrewaju and I’ll grow in that love, every moment I live in this frail world.
She’s my crown.”
