Branding for Marriage (2)

Getting to their home to drop and proceed, Jane insisted that I should get out of the car to greet he mom, routine practice, on her mother’s instruction, for any male friend. I did. I talked with Mama, telling her I had come there to see her earlier on few occasions, at the prompting my friend Tony. I departed Ikeja, promising Jane I was coming back following day.
That night I could not sleep. All I had on my mind was Jane. She had made a big impression on me. She warmed up to immediately we met, enjoying and responding to my jokes and insisting that I meet her. I was beginning to like her. I shared my feelings with my junior brother Ken, who was living with me then. He encouraged me to go ahead and go where my heart led.
Next day, December 20, 6 pm, I was at Jane’s house, greeted her mom and went into the living room to meet her. Her father had travelled to London. Christmas was approaching, and it was a period, Igbo’s of South East, Nigeria trooped home to spend the Yuletide with their families.
I was billed to travel home December 22. Incidentally her hometown was close to mine, only about six miles apart. Jane opted to travel in my car and quickly told her mom who gave her consent. After entertaining me with fried fish and snacks, I asked Jane out. She brought Frances along,I nforming her mom of the trip. That was struck me first about Jane. She told mom all her movement. I did not object. We found our way into fast food joint, bought some take- away and proceeded to my home in Okota area of Lagos. W e spent time with my brother ken before I took them back home.
On return, Ken gave his approval for me to marry Jane, saying he was impressed with her comportment. Two days, myself, Ken, and set out for our hometowns. My driver was at the steering. It was a pleasant journey. I remember going Proverbs 31 in the bible with Jane all through the journey. I told her I wanted her to be that kind of woman. She promised to be.
We dropped her at her father’s home, and proceeded to my hometown, Abagana, Anambra State, Nigeria. That night I was ready to meet with my parents who had been heckling to get married. At 34, and editor of national business magazine, my father said it was irresponsible of me to remain single. That night we returned, my parents turned on the heat: “Who is the girl?” They wanted a firm answer. I told them about Jane. “Have you proposed”? My dad enquired. “No” I replied.
“Do so immediately quickly. If she consents, then I take our family elders to go and see her parents. Following day, December 23, I was at Jane’s home, where she introduce to her other relations. That same day I propose marriage to her, five days after I met her for the first time on December 19, 1990
Next day, December 24, one day to Christmas she said, “yes.” At this moment, my father took over. First week January, 1991, he proceeded with family elders to see Jane’s parents. Eleven months after I met Jane, We wedded at St. Leo’s Catholic Church, Ikeja, Lagos.
God has blessed with us with four children, three boys and one girl (the youngest) aged five to seventeen years. We have had a good marriage so far, despite many challenges. As I look back on that fateful when the two young girls in their mid 20s, walked into my business premises, I just see the finger of God in it all.
I never believed I could propose marriage to a girl the week I met her. One day I asked why she accepted my proposal without courtship. She said I swept her off her feet. And so what was one thing about me that made her fall in love so quickly? “Your eyes,” she replied beaming. “You have big and dreamy eyes.”
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Eric Okeke is an editor, business writer, storytelling and media consultant who is using brand storytelling to improve business returns for professionals and organisations in Nigeria. You can reach him on ericosamba@yahoo.com, ericokeke@gmail.com