LOVE SO DIVINE: THE CHARA WEDDING

the chara wedding

Hi family,

Forgive me, I know it has been a while.  I have been up to a number of things; reason I’ve been AWOL.

I have got news!

Your baby girl is getting married!!!

I am about to give you all the juicy details of our love story.

HOW WE MET

I took a decision to be single until the Lord sends my man (see my book, ‘Single Without Wrinkle’, for the full details). I wasn’t ready for a relationship, I was just enjoying my waiting season. During that period, I had been praying for a job. I finally got invited for an interview in one of the companies I applied to. The D-Day came and I aced the interview. I got called to resume work on a Tuesday morning. Upon my arrival on resumption day, I was asked to wait for the HR; that was when I met Daniel.

While waiting for the HR, this handsome dark-skinned young man walked up to me and said ‘hello’ amidst smiles. Although I wasn’t friendly, he however went on to introduce himself with the smile sculpted on his face (oh! he had such a cute smile). I told him my name and mentioned I was there to see the HR.

The HR finally arrived and guess what? I got sent back home because I was wearing a jean (the tomboy in me decided to embarrass me that day). I resumed the next morning, officially dressed and who did I meet….again? Daniel! As usual, he smiled and this time around, I smiled back as I was in a better mood. I overheard him talking about a Lecrae concert and how he didn’t want to miss the programme. In the course of the conversation, he mentioned being a member of Covenant Christian Center. That was all I needed to hear as I had just recently started listening to Pastor Poju and looked forward to being under his ministration live.

I asked for his number in a bid to go to church with him on Sunday and that was how we got talking. We went to church together as planned and became good friends. We talked about the bible and sometimes prayed together, all I saw in him was a “brother”.

I don’t know how it happened but I knew I started developing feelings for my so called ‘brother.’ I rejected it. I even took it a step further by praying and fasting. I kept telling God to remove the feelings but the more I prayed, the more it grew. Eventually, I had to call my spiritual father who told me to stop fighting but surrender it back to God.

I couldn’t run away because we worked in the same company and that was also a reason why I didn’t want the feelings to grow. I didn’t want to date someone I would see every day. I started avoiding him but he would always come around. One day, he told me we needed to talk.

We agreed to meet at Coldstone creamery. That day, he said to me  “Onome Omodara you are a treasure, you are like that bible passage that says a man sells all he has just to buy the treasure, but Onome I need time” I can’t forget those words. If you have read ‘There was a girl’, you will understand why those words meant a lot to me. I got home and cried. No one had ever said that to me. I had been told I am smart, beautiful, and intelligent but treasure? That hit me.

On the 2nd of May 2018, he officially asked me out. He didn’t ask me to be his girlfriend; he told me to be his wife. I was shocked and kept wondering what he saw in me. I told him to give me a month and he never pressured me. I prayed and waited for confirmation. I wasn’t ready to go through another cycle of heartbreak so I wanted to be sure.

On the 29th of May 2018, I said yes to him because it felt so right; I was at peace. Everything the Lord had said to me during my waiting season was apt when we started dating.

Daniel was intentional about our relationship; his love for me was so obvious. He was always willing to make sacrifices. There were days I thought we would break up but he would always say to me “Onome, I am not loving you by my own strength, mine would fail but God is my strength”. Daniel has been my safe place. Challenges have come our way but this man stood by me. This man prays with me and for me. He believes in my vision. He is God sent!

THE PROPOSAL

It was my birthday and my boss had told me she was throwing a birthday dinner for me and I should invite my close friends (I was surprised but happy to have a party). The day came and I saw my sister from Ibadan at the dinner; she appeared like a thief in the night (Fam, I was surprised). My friends came around and we were really having fun.

The waiter came in and said I had a special order, I opened and it was a ring! I wanted to run away (where was I running to sef?) The man of my dreams went down one knee asking me to marry him.

It was surreal. It showed that the wait is always worth it.

I have said enough.

 I interviewed my man and he has something to tell you

Enjoy

Tell us something about yourself

I am a graduate of computer science from the great Tai Solarin University of Education. Obviously I’m a Christian (smile). I am the first born from a family of four. I am passionate about Christ, my career and whatever I set my mind to do. I am a focused and purpose driven person with great leadership capacity. I see myself as a servant-leader as I enjoy taking up responsibilities irrespective of any position I am in.

At what point were you sure Onome was the one?

The chara wedding

(Deep sigh!) Well, it’s not like I heard a voice from heaven or something “spectacular” just like the days of Adam (smile), when something is right, you just know; the spirit bears witness remember. I don’t mean to sound too spiritual but pardon me; that is my default. Like the saying goes “Opposite attracts”. Onome is a “wokilumo” kinda person to put it in English, you will always notice her when she enters a room as oppose to my kinda nature; I am a reserved person. So I saw in her a woman that together we can do great things for Christ.

Onome is outspoken without being rude and very intelligent. Since men will always look at the outward, Onome is beautiful to behold and young at heart. Above all, I saw in Onome a woman that can help “womb” a vision and birth great dreams. A woman strong in the things that I seemed to be weak in.

What makes Onome special to you as a person?

(Deep breath) Permit me to keep the details to myself (smiles). But really, when you truly love someone you may not have a “special” reason for loving him/her. You just “apape” (add them together) them. Sometimes what makes somebody special to you could be the strength they exhibit that wowed your weakness. Many ladies have done wonderful things for me but the core of who she is, outclassed them all!

How do you feel about getting married?

CAPITAL MIXED FEELINGS (laughs) but I look forward to it.

What’s your most exciting memory about her?

The one I am yet to experience with her because every moment with her is a blessing.

THE CHARA WEDDING

We decided to use the chara wedding as our hashtag because we wanted a word that depicted exactly how we felt and “JOY” was the perfect word. Chara is a Greek word that means Joy.

CONCLUSION

“He hath made everything beautiful in his time” (Ecclesiastes 3:11a)

God is very intentional and each time I look at Daniel I am just reminded of God’s love. People have asked me how I feel about getting married and all I can say is “I am grateful”. If you know my story you will understand that God is faithful.

I don’t know how you feel right now but I need you to know that God has not forgotten you. Your marriage is going to happen and it’s going to be a testimony!

I look forward to sharing your story.

You have my love.

Onome.

LETTER TO MY FUTURE HUSBAND

Dear Future Husband,

I prayed for you this morning. I asked God to watch over you as you go through this day. I told Him to grant you wisdom in the pursuit of your dreams and to work on you while we wait to become one.

I am the definition of a Proverbs 31 woman in the flesh; did I just write that? That is a lie: I am still growing into a completely balanced woman. The truth is, I still make silly mistakes and my mum still reminds me that I will get married soon, so I need to be better. Another thing is, God is not done with me yet.

Baby, I know you are not perfect either so we can use our imperfection to build a marriage that is beautiful! I want you to know that your past does not matter because Christ already forgave you; so I won’t hold your past against you and I hope you can do the same when it comes to mine.

I know you are the Ephesians 5 man: a man who yearns for the father, so I am confident that you will lead our family in the way of the Lord. You see, I know people have different opinions about me; some think I am proud, others think I am talkative, some even think I play too much, others just think I am secretive, while some think I am a flirt, but I know you are the best person to tell the world who I really am.

Baby, I know you are a man who will support and encourage my dreams and with you, my dreams can only get multiplied. I am also willing to carry your vision so that together, we can fulfil God’s mandate and purpose for our lives and relationship.

You have been given grace for this journey and when we are together, we will create magic and make our Father proud. I am not like the other women you have met: I am different, always ready to learn and eager to grow. I have been in different situations, met some bad eggs, but I am grateful because they have taught me to appreciate and love you better.

I am coming like a child; humble and open to learning. I am also coming like a mature and experienced woman, to work with you in building a great home. Someday, I will write books and dedicate them to you and our children. I will write about our marriage, to help inspire the next generation.

Together, we will take Jesus around the world and show people that good marriages still exist. I know we will have beautiful and smart children who we will raise in the way of the Lord.

Dear future husband, I look forward to the day I will look into your eyes and make that vow of commitment, to be right by your side for the rest of our lives, because I know our coming together is a blessing!

I want you to know that I love you already and with Jesus, we can overcome any challenge that may come our way.

 

Your future wife.

 

Conclusion

I wrote this letter to my future husband, and at the same time, for every single lady reading this; to know that the journey to the covenant is very important and the wait is always worth it. While we wait for the day we get to say “I do”, let us make a commitment to grow and pray for our future husbands; because when the Ephesians 5 man meets the Proverbs 31 woman, you can bet that marriage will be heaven on earth.

If you feel so lonely you need to know that you are not alone. I am your friend and we can always talk about it.

Until we meet again, which is very soon: I love you!

Your friend and sister,

Onome Omodara