Married For Love

My name is Sade, I was born 28years ago with a speech impediment that is so bad and mostly leaves me embarrassed whenever I try to talk in public. Sometimes I wonder why a perfect God would allow such imperfection in the lives of His creatures but the truth is, He knows the best and has the best in store for His children. Growing up with this disability wasn’t fun for me because I was always taunted by other kids in school and it made me withdraw into my shell and not have as much friends as I would have wanted. My siblings were not too helpful either because most times they were not patient enough with me and would rather prefer to shut me up instead of struggling to listen to me. I thank God for my Mum who was always there to encourage me through it all. I made good grades in school regardless of my challenges and eventually made it to the University where I met Chris, a guy who showed so much interest in me apart from my parents.

Chris and I were in the same faculty but different departments in the University. Although he was from a humble background, he never allowed any form of complex to hinder him from relating with people; besides, he was extremely intelligent. He was the first man to ever ask me out, so with great joy, I accepted to date him in my second year on campus. He was always there to encourage and support me and I didn’t hesitate in spending my ‘pocket money’ on him. As a matter of fact, we became so popular on campus within a short period of time and for the first time in my life, I felt so fulfilled.

Things took a different turn in my third year on campus as my parents had to battle with financial and health crises that I barely had enough money to sustain myself in a month, that was when Chris began to act funny. He distanced himself from me, giving flimsy excuses at every opportunity yet I believed him until I got to know that he was in another relationship which he didn’t deny when I confronted him. Well, I went through my first heartbreak and I must confess that it wasn’t easy for me. It was in the midst of my pain that I met Titi who introduced me to their campus fellowship where I met Christ. Titi’s presence in my life at that time was timely, her experience and way of life was just the therapy I needed at that time. She made me realize that the true source of joy is Jesus and not any man, when she narrated how a ‘brother’ in her Church back home jilted her after 2 years of courtship; unknown to her, he was in another relationship which she didn’t know of until she saw his wedding invitation. She said it was the most traumatic time in her life as she almost committed suicide.

“Thank God for His mercies Sade; I wouldn’t have been alive to tell this story’’ She concluded with a big smile on her face.

I drew so much strength from her and I made up my mind not to allow what I went through to hinder me from fulfilling my dreams, not even my speech impediment! I eventually made it through the University, completed the mandatory National Service year, and got a full time job immediately I returned back from Benue State where I was posted.

Today as I write to you, I am happily married to Biodun, a God fearing and caring man who loves me greatly. Honestly, marriage was not in my agenda initially because I didn’t want any repeat of the past; moreso, there were so many beautiful and intelligent ladies out there without suitors so what hope was there for me with my disability? Well, God is not man and I am sure He must have laughed at my ‘myopic mentality’ when he decided to amaze me with the gift of my husband. Although I was a bit harsh on him at the beginning, he never gave up on me. He was patient all through the period of waiting for my response to his proposal and the tantrums I threw occasionally during courtship. Today I can say boldly that he married me for love and nothing else; honestly speaking, I couldn’t have asked for a better gift.

My candid advice to every lady out there with a physical challenge or broken relationship is to stop looking down on themselves rather they should look up to God and they won’t be put to shame; God has the best in store for you!

Thank you once again for your time, feel free to drop your comments and contributions or send me a mail through info@iretiadeoyinleye.com, or iretioyinleye@gmail.com. Also, don’t forget to share the story with others too. Till I come your way again next week, make your marriage work!