In what most people would rather describe as a one-in-a-million
possibility, the coming together of Mr. and Mrs. Maxwell Nwokeji
was concluded within two days. But it took another two years to
come to reality thus making what would have been the fastest
marriage on record take another 24 months to materialize.
No thanks to the objections raised by some of the brides brothers
who felt that the husband-to-be does not possess the type of
background that is befitting for the kind of man they wish for
their sister.
However, by divine providence the man did not give up, not even
after his hearts desire was ferried to an unknown place for a
period of one year.
Today, they are happily married and blessed with three lovely
kids.
According to Mrs. Nwokeji, her husband is today the best in-law all
members of her family are very proud of.
In this chat, the couple talked about the events that led to their
marriage and how they are coping as a family.
How we met
We met in 1988. Then she was staying at a place that was close to
where I did my business. One fateful morning as I was heading to my
office, I saw her for the first time. Immediately something in me
started prodding me to talk to her or call her attention but that
was not possible because I did not know her name.
At that point so I was very disturbed because if I call her
attention what would I tell her or what if she snobs me. After a
while, I decided to go on my way and throughout that day I was not
myself. Even though I had made enquiries about where she lives, I
decided to tarry till the next day. As soon as it was day break the
next day I went near their building to enquire about her. I went
into a shop where we usually take soft drinks in that vicinity, I
met a young girl from whom I enquired from for her name,. The girl
innocently told me. Immediately I scaled this first huddle, I
thanked her and left. She wanted to know the reason behind my
probing I told her that there was no problem.
From that moment, I started having this feeling I never felt
before. It was a feeling that I was going to get married soon to
her. All these while, I had not approached her. It took another
week before I summoned the courage to face her and as God designed
it I was driving past her street. Again, I saw her walking down the
road.
So I stopped, I called her by her name and immediately she turned
and was surprised because she had never seen me before. She calmly
asked me but who are you? And I told her dont worry I will tell
you later. When I said I will come to your house she said ah you
know my house? Then I reassured her that I would come to her place
to make myself clear to her. She agreed and went on her way.
In the evening of the same day I went back to her house. I was
afraid to go into their residence because none of her relative knew
me.
I decide to hang outside and fortunately she came out at about that
time and granted me an audience, and from that day it took another
two years before I succeeded in getting her to be my wife. I must
say that I was convinced from the first day that I wanted her for
marriage and nothing else.
What I told her the first day
Because I was convinced beyond all doubts what I wanted, I simply
said to her Lady, it is already late this evening and I will not
like to take much of your time, I see you as a mature lady and it
is of no use telling you words in parables, my spirit has told me
to approach you for marriage and I made up my mind to approach you
this way, because I want to marry you.
She asked me, do you know me? I said well it takes someone but a
day to meet or know a person. So, since I have mentioned your name
and have come this far, all I expect from you is to make enquiries
about me. I told her all about myself and told her that before she
make up her mind, she should investigate my background especially
the morality of the family I come from and all those other things
that are important in Ibo land.
She thought about it for a while and told me that before any other
thing that I should come and see her mum and we parted ways for
that night.
The next evening I went straight to their place. This time I did
not panic, I just walked in straight and asked for the person I was
looking for. I finally met the mother and she received me quite
well and then asked me Young man who are you? So I told her that
I came for her to give her daughter to me in marriage. She asked a
few other questions, and then she said to me that all human beings
are one and it was really of no use asking a person where he or she
comes from.
She said the most important thing to know is whether the person is
of good character and honest. If you fall into this category then I
assure you that I will give you my daughter to marry. But we must
make enquiry about you first, as is customary. So for a whole year
they were investigating me kind of, and I was patient.
The obstacles, the triumph
While I was waiting, the elder brother sent for me and told me to
forget about the marriage. He said that his sister was still in
school and all that. I told him that I had heard what he said but I
told him that I was ready to wait for her for even five years or
more. It is only if the marriage is not the will of God that it
would fail to materialize.
For another one year, I did not get to see her again from that
day.
It was a terrible period for me but I kept faith. About a year
after, her mum sent for me and told me well young man we have
finished our investigations and if you said you want to marry my
daughter, the door is open you are free to start the process. I
could not hide my joy and from that moment I started the marriage
process from and later we wedded in the church and since then we
have been living happily ever after.
I can proudly tell you that if marriage is what I am getting then I
encourage young men and ladies to hurry into it. It is very
honorable and sweet especially when there is understanding between
the two parties, when there is understanding love will then follow
because understanding comes first before love.