34 years ago…

Thirty-four years ago, to be precise on January 27,1979, one of Nairobi’s most eligible bachelors quit the club and walked me down the aisle and in front of God, friends and family I said “I DO.” As I stepped out of Nairobi’s St. Andrews Church in the arms of my brand new husband, I was in cloud nine looking forward to a fairly tale marriage and happiness ever after… Thirty-four years later, my marriage stands strong, happy and loving. Fairly tale? These are dreams of young girls and I have grown up.

Today, thirty-four years older and still holding onto the same man, three children to bag, a happy home, good health and a satisfying career, amongst others, I call my life and my marriage a blessing from God.

I couldn’t have done it alone, I didn’t do it alone – God has been the unseen third force in my marriage. From the naïve girl who expected a husband to be the giver of all – happiness, security, love, attention and much more, I have learnt many important lessons worth sharing with you.

 Put God first.

At all times and in all situations, God is able. Marriage is not a bed of roses and trials and tribulations will come as long as you are human. I cannot recall anything that happened in my marriage that was too big for me to handle. Why? Because I learnt from my Christian upbringing that prayer eases your burden. Prayer helps you put things in perspective, forgive and work things out. When you trust in God, you know no matter how big the problem, tomorrow will be a new dawn, a better day.

 Marriage cannot survive on love alone.

I married a man I loved with all my heart and still do. But you know what, love alone could not have sustained our marriage. Marriage is bigger than love – it is like a mega company. There is business to be transacted, strategies to align the business, goals to be clearly articulated, accounts to be kept, bills to be paid, and employees to be paid (read children). And this is the hard part – not the loving part. Marriage has to be anchored on……Subscribe  to read more