Author:
Funmito Obafemi
This LoveLens couple talks about what led to their union, from their dating era to their marriage.
Recap: Lanre and Folashade knew each other through a friend’s WhatsApp post and kicked things off from there. On this week’s edition of LoveLens stories, we talk about how this couple met, the small daily habits that make their bond stronger, and insights for unmarried people.
Lanre: My female friend shared a post on WhatsApp featuring her (Folashade). Normally, I don’t reach out when people post others’ pictures, but hers caught my attention and I couldn’t ignore it. So, I asked my friend for Sade’s contact.
Upon asking, she put in good words for her and was willing to share her contact information without asking Sade first. But I told her to seek permission.
She did and eventually sent me the contact. I didn’t text her that same day because I fell asleep early, but my friend later checked in to see if I had reached her. When I woke up, I texted Sade and we kicked it off that very day.
Lanre: We’ve been married for a couple of months.
Folashade: He asked me to be his girlfriend with a necklace after we met each other. Eight months after we met, he proposed marriage.
We first met in May 2023, he proposed in October that same year, our introduction took place in April 2024, and we legally tied the knot in February 2025.
Folashade: My favorite thing about him is his kindness. He is very kind, and that should be the number one priority for any lady. If he’s got other qualities but isn’t kind, that’s a red flag.
That’s because there are situations that require having a kind partner. Your partner being that person makes it amazing. My husband is not only kind to me, but also to the people around him.
Also, he is very patient. By patience, I do not mean in a stupid way, but in a supportive way. Even when I get on his nerves or attempt to frustrate him, he remains patient, which makes me recall my actions.
Additionally, he doesn’t hesitate to spend his last amount of money on me. If he tells me he doesn’t have, I believe he doesn’t have. When he has, he doesn’t hide it from me but spends it together with me. This makes me feel secure with him.
Finally, he is a secure man. For instance, I can wear anything I want to wear without him getting bothered by it. He doesn’t stop me from putting on an outfit, even if it’s revealing. In fact, he likes it when I wear short outfits. Even if a man looks at me attractively outside, he is not threatened by it. These are not all the qualities I like about him, but for this interview, I’d sum it up with these points.
Lanre: First, I’d love to thank God for meeting her because a lot of things have changed for me because of her. She is a unique person. She offers solutions to problems. What fascinates me about her is that I see things through her lens, and my thoughts sync with hers. Also, she is very sweet and kind as well.
She is also very thoughtful, considerate, and persuasive in a good way. She is hardworking, whether it’s her business or as a content creator. She is a complete package.
Lanre: I got attracted to her physically, particularly her curvy stature. I got interested in her from the first day. I made my intentions known that I wasn’t playing around.
Folashade (cutting in): He told me straight up that he was here to marry.
Note: If you’re a couple and would love to share your story, fill this form.
Folashade: When he first told me he was going to marry me, I wasn’t impressed by it because that’s not the first man who would say that.
Other men also had similar tales of telling me they were not there to play or joke around with me. So, I didn’t take him seriously at first, even when he was asking for my genotype.
However, he impressed me. He would be the first man to leave his comfort zone to see me in Ibadan, even though he lives in Lagos. Unlike other men who would ask or persuade me to come first, his was different.
His selfless act of travelling down to visit me in Ibadan ticked the box for me. Before that, I had already made up my mind that I would never travel to another state to see a man unless he did it first. When he did that, it really got me. The beautiful part is that I didn’t have to insist on it.
Also, he was kind and patient with me. Additionally, I prayed to God and asked the Holy Spirit to direct me. I told God that if he was the one, he should stay.
But if he wasn’t, it should come to an end. You know that kind of prayer works. Shockingly, the relationships developed months later. Then, he proposed after six months with this necklace, to which I said yes.
Another thing is that I’m an overthinker. Whenever I think about something, I’m not scared to share my thoughts or worries with him, even when it’s a difficult conversation. That’s another factor that let me know he was the one.
Folashade: He teases me whenever I wake up late. I work hard and edit into the night, which makes me wake up around 11 to 12 pm. Sometimes, he would jump on me, and those habits contribute to my day.
Lanre: It’s the sleep and wake-up scenario. Whenever I see her wake up, that’s how I know my day is about to start.
Lanre: We talk A LOT. She talks a lot
Folashade: Don’t be afraid to speak about what you want. Don’t be scared, he would leave because you said something. Be bold and say it. In my previous relationships, I was scared to say what I wanted. That changed me even before I met him. I was never afraid to tell him what I wanted.
I want a man who communicates. I want a man who will call me properly. I want a man who listens to me.
I didn’t assume that he should know these things. I speak on it. So, speak up. I love it when you buy me things. I love gifts. I love taking pictures. Don’t be scared to tell your partner your love language.
While you may say this at the beginning of the relationship, it’s essential to emphasize it as time goes on. When you see your partner reducing his acts of service, let him know.
Babe, you’re reducing the way you gift me things. You know I like it.
Speaking up will not only help your relationship but also your mental health as a woman.
Lanre: Be sure you’re ready to have a partner. Your woman isn’t your competitor, but your partner. So, you must see her as a partner. If you won’t do this, don’t bother. If you won’t do things together, be it business or going out together, don’t do it.
I don’t see myself doing things that won’t interest her. Look at her character, and if you don’t see yourself partnering with her traits, don’t bother. Ask yourself. “How far can I go with this person?” “Is she willing to build into me, and is she willing to build into me as well?”
Lanre: We pray together. We have a day (Wednesday) in the week when we both fast together. We also go to church together. If she sees the need for us to fast randomly, we do that. We try to get better with our faith.
We are on the same wavelength. We know the things of Christ, what to do, and what not to do. For instance, we know we ought to pray and also not to bring in evil for ourselves, particularly myself. I travel a lot and don’t go with her. When I get there, I don’t do something that will bring evil into my home.
Folashade: Before I met him, I had a list of things I requested from God. I prayed for partnership without giving God a deadline. For instance, I didn’t tell God I need to get married by January or next year. There was no timeframe.
Instead, I told God to send the person when I was ready. When I met him, I listed all my fears concerning the relationship. I also told God about the things I want him to do for me (e.g., healing my trauma and letting me be a better person).
I also worked on myself through the Holy Spirit, listening to sermons, praying, and telling God to see things from his (God’s) perspective, not my perspective. Those acts culminated in us coming together to become one.
Note: If you’re a couple and would love to share your story, fill this form.
