Celebrating Wedding Anniversaries

Today my parents are celebrating their 45^th wedding anniversary. On October 4^th 1975, two young people from different tribes made a commitment to become one before God, family, and friends.

My parents like most newly-weds had high hopes when they decided to start a future together. My parents’ marriage was not the norm in those days, my dad was from the what we call the mid-western region of Nigeria (now Delta state) and my mum was from the Yoruba region of Nigeria, but despite not originating from the same part of the country they still dated and finally got married.

As a child I was intrigued by my parent’s dynamics and their ability to make two culture work within their marriage. I grew up with my siblings enjoying both side of the culture, we listened to every genre of music, ate variety of food, and amassed ourselves in learning about everything Nigeria.

The main thing about growing up within my household was my parents’ celebration of everything – birthdays, baptisms, communions, Christmas, Easter and my favourite funny enough was their wedding anniversary celebration.

My siblings and I looked forward to our parents anniversary every year, because we always celebrate by going out somewhere special to eat out. If their anniversary falls on a weekday then I try my best to concentrate on schoolwork since I am so excited about going out later in the evening for a good time and meal.

My parents try to mix the cuisine for the night every year, ranging from Italian, continental and Chinese. The restaurant of choice is usually by everyone voting, but most times Chinese comes up tops 😊.

Whenever I knew we were going to celebrate their anniversary at a Chinese restaurant I tend to eat sparing all day so that I have enough room to eat everything served. I can still remember going to various restaurants at Apapa, Ikoyi, Surulere and Ikeja and still not able to make up my mind which one was my favourite.

The summary of my story is my parents included us the children in all the wedding anniversary celebration. It was one of the few times of the year I fully understood what is felt to be a loving family unit. We talk about our day, share our hopes and dreams, tease ourselves, but most of all we unite over their wedding anniversary celebration.

For me this symbolised that no matter your differences you can make it work and there are so many reasons to not give up. I am a strong believer that not only love keeps a marriage, loads more components makes it work, communication, mutual respect of each other, forgiveness etc.

No marriage is perfect and my parents’ one was far from that, but they did their best to make my siblings and I happy and they did their best to show us how a happy marriage should look like when things work.

I am so proud of them for sticking at it despite so many things working against their marriage, for sometimes putting their happiness aside for the good of the family and for overcoming the many disappointments and loses that came their way.

On behalf of myself, siblings, In-laws and grandchildren, we are wishing our parents a Happy Sapphire 45^th Wedding Anniversary. Pray we get to celebrate more happy celebrations in good health and life, Amen.

Thank you for walking this personal memory with me until next time, stay safe.