#AdeboyesEverAfter

It all started at the RCCGNA convention. Edwina and I were both preparing to graduate from the School of Disciples, though we didn’t know that was when God would divinely orchestrate our meeting. As the youngest in my class, I didn’t expect to see anyone my age. But to my surprise, I saw several young adults. And the most beautiful one of all - Edwina - stood out to me. So, I quickly strategized on how I would shoot my shot. The plan was that when graduation ended, I would go over and talk to her. But, as soon as it was over, I ran to the area where Edwina had been sitting but was disappointingly met with several rows of empty seats. I grappled with the reality of a missed opportunity. I honestly thought it was over! But it wasn’t because Love found a way… Service that night began, and I was surprised to see Edwina on the altar, backing up the guest minister. I loved the way she worshipped God. I was not able to get a hold of her that night but, I was determined. And, with encouragement from my family, I decided I had to keep making every effort to find her. I didn’t know her name, anyone who knew her, or anything about her. But, I knew my heart longed so desperately for her! After the convention ended, the only option I could think of was to reach out to another choir member I knew distantly. I sent a DM to the choir member who was able to figure out who she was. He then reached out to Edwina on my behalf, and I waited days for a response. Yep—she made me wait! Finally the day before my birthday, I received a notification saying, yes, Edwina was single and she would like to get to know me. And the rest is history!

After the Dallas convention, Olakunle and I began talking on the phone everyday. We talked about our childhoods, what we liked to do for fun, and our relationship with God. We officially met in person at the YAYA conference in Houston, where we went out for lunch together. Ironically, the scripture Olakunle had meditated on the way to Houston was the same scripture I brought up during our date. From there, we began our long distance relationship, visiting each other as often as we could. I flew to Texas, he flew to the east coast, and we fell in love along the way. When November came around, I started noticing that Olakunle was sounding and acting different. He would cut our phone conversations short and wasn’t eating as often. I didn’t know what to think, but I was preparing for my work off-site meeting, so I couldn’t give it as much attention as I wanted to. In the past, my workplace has held off-sites in New York, Chicago, or San Fransisco. But for some reason, they decided to hold this year’s meeting in little old Charlotte, NC. That was God working, because the week I traveled to Charlotte for work was the same weekend that Olakunle planned his proposal. (Later I found out that he wasn’t eating so he could wait on the Lord, and he ended our calls early so he could pray in the midnight hour!) Since I was in Charlotte for work, my family convinced me to stay in North Carolina for the week. They were in on the proposal, of course, and so was all of Olakunle’s family, who traveled all the way from Dallas to be there. I had no idea, of course - the only hints I had were small nudges and intuition. Meanwhile, our families and Olakunle worked together, decorating a ballroom with marquee letters, flowers, and lights and keeping the surprise from me. And so, I walked into the ballroom where Olakunle was waiting on bended knees asking, “Will you marry me?” I took Olakunle’s hand, and, I said “Yes!”