Biting Cheeks & Building Dreams: Uriel & Oreoluwa’s 7-Year Love Saga
Ghosted him for months… now she’s his wife. 👀❤️ #LoveWins
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Please introduce yourself and tell us what you do.
Uriel: Call me Uriel. I am a Project Manager with experience in the consulting field, NGOs and an international Real Estate company. My partner's name is Oreoluwa, a modern renaissance woman because it is a reflection of who she is as an individual and everything she does is etched into that title.
Oreoluwa: Like my babe mentioned, my name is Oreoluwa and I do more things than a title would cover at the moment, so I prefer to use the title, "The Modern Renaissance Woman". It's a bit non-conventional and eccentric, but I love it.
How did you guys get to meet each other?
Oreoluwa: We met in school in 2017. I was in Human Anatomy, 200L as direct entry student while he was in Public Health 100L.
The funny thing is, my perspective is different from his because I saw him first while he didn't take note of me until months later.
He was this popular jingo in school while I was a wallflower. Imagine my shock when he started reaching out to me 😂. I would not lie, I ghosted him for months before eventually having a proper conversation (thanks to a father-figure he reported me to 🌝).
And like they say, the rest is history.
Uriel: From my end, it was giving "written in the stars" sort of encounter. Because tell me why the first time I set my eyes on this fine human being, she was wearing a gown of my favourite colour. She came to ask me for a lecturer's office but for a couple of seconds, I was speechless because I was shocked. I don't really believe in love at first sight but then this girl came along and it was then and there I whispered in my mind "I think I am going to marry this girl." Just imagine my audacity o 😂
What was your first impression when you first saw him?
Oreoluwa: Well, I was like, "hmmm, he's not bad looking but not my type" because man was giving "I'm going to become a pastor" kind of vibe 😂 (He actually was a student pastor).
Don't get me wrong, I love that he loves God but omo, I couldn't imagine being married to a pastor 😂
Quick disclaimer oooo... I wasn't stalking him so I didn't know that it was his favorite color. In fact, the only reason I went to him was because I thought he was the class rep 😂
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So is he a pastor now?
Oreoluwa: Oh no, not at all 😊
Although he does preach once in a while, he isn't a pastor. Just a man who loves God.
Aww. Looks like God heard your prayer.
Oreoluwa: You can say that again 😁
What made you later consider him? Given that you were keeping your distance at first.
Oreoluwa: First of all, he was tenacious in his pursuit and I found that admirable. He also ticked a lot of the boxes of qualities I appreciate in a man.
Secondly, as I mentioned earlier, he involved a father-like figure, a pastor we both respected, Pastor A. He was the one who called me one day and asked a question that definitely got me thinking.
He was like, "if Uriel were to end up with someone else, how would you feel?"
Chaii, that question got me deep in thoughts for days. It made my mouth sour and my tummy bitter.
I had to be honest that I had grown to like him and couldn't bear the thought of him being with someone else.
Lmaooo. Love it for you. So how long have you been together?
Oreoluwa: Over 6 years. This is our 7th year together.
Uriel: She was my girlfriend for 4 years, and has been my wife for 3 years.
I was a popular figure in school like she said but I no dey change my mind when I won marry somebody🙂↔️. I knew from the first day that she would be my wife 🥰
Wow. How has it been so far?
Oreoluwa: It's been amazing.
I feel like if there were fairy tales that tell the stories after "happily ever after", it wouldn't be different from how our lives have been together.
Every moment, both the superb ones and the annoying ones, had made our relationship better and stronger 💪🏼
Uriel: On how it has been so far. I feel really sorry and not sorry for guys that missed out on my woman. She's everything a man can ever dream of and more.
It has been quite the journey and we have encountered amazing things and even terrible things that could have broken anyone, but this lady - my God; she has such a healthy and lovely spirit. She handles any kind of experience with such grace and candour. She lifts me up when I'm down, she's the perfect definition of a helpmeet.
I could go on and on but let me just keep it brief and stop here.
I choose not to be jealous. So, who is the better cook between you two?
Uriel: My woman has gifted hands o, and cooking is thoroughly inclusive.
Oreoluwa: That would be me 😁
Uriel: I'm a good cook too though but when it comes to delicacies, all the flowers belong to her.
So, who is more romantic?
Uriel: Meeeeeeeee 😂
Oreoluwa: Definitely my babe 😂😂
What are your favorite activities that you enjoy together?
Oreoluwa: We enjoy playing games, watching movies together, going on dates, discussing books that we've read, and sharing Instagram reels with each other 😂
Uriel: Absolutely spot on.
When did you know you were going to make this a forever thing?
Uriel: There's just this moment of realization that dawns on you, you try to picture your future and it just doesn't make sense in any way without someone in it. I got to that point and I knew that "With you is where I'd rather be."
I cannot begin to mention how much growth I have experienced due to my woman being in my life. Now imagine how I feel when I think she isn't there. That was it for me.
Oreoluwa: For me, it would be in 2022 when I went through a really horrible ordeal and he stuck with me, giving me the strength I needed to go through it.
In retrospect, for him, I would say from day 1.
The first time he asked me out was Sept 19, 2018. He told me that he was in for the long haul, that he wanted to marry me.
I remember laughing at him that evening, but here we are 😅.
God, when. What are some of the most memorable moments you have shared together?
Oreoluwa: There are a lot ooo, I don't even know where to begin.
But I think the one that tops the chart would be our wedding day 😁
Uriel: It has to be our wedding day.
Hard guy hard guy. Didn't know when I began to cry when we were saying our vows to each other. I DEFINITELY AM NOT FORGETTING THE MEMORY OF THAT DAY.
How did he propose to you?
Oreoluwa: It was an intimate one 🤭.
We went on a date first and when we got home, he was like oh, he had a movie he wanted us to see, only for me to see our friends and siblings on screen talking how beautiful we are as a couple.
I was shocked because I really wasn't expecting it 😂.
He then led me to the room which was beautifully decorated by his sister who came by while we were out.
He got down on one knee, opened the ring box and proposed. I won't lie I didn't hear most of what he said cos my heart was pounding in my ears 🤣 but I did jump on him afterwards, screaming yes 😊.
A finished woman.
Oreoluwa: Yes ooo 😌✨
So, can you tell me three things that you like or love about your partner?
Oreoluwa: Hmmmm, let's see…
I love that he is very vivacious and tenacious. Once he sets his mind to something, he goes all out to achieve it, and most times, he does.
I love that his personality compliments mine beautifully. He is extroverted while I am more introverted. He is more of a risk taker while I'm more cautious. Simply put, he is my strength in my areas of weakness and vice versa.
I also love that he is a man of Faith. Regardless of whatever we might be going through, he believes strongly that all things work for our good. It's a trait he got from his dad and I've seen it in action many times.
I really could go on and on, but I'll stop here.
Uriel: There are a lot but the three I'd mention are her heart (she is such a gem at heart), her intelligence (oh my, my wife is so intelligent. Many of the things I do or say that get applauded by people are things I picked from her or things she enlightened me about), and her beauty (my wife is so fineeeeee😩🥹).
I could go on and on but I'll pop my brakes here.
About her favorite food…
My babe would eat any form of rice😅. If rice grew on people's heads, my wife would be on top of that list. She has a strong penchant for rice 😂
How do you balance work - life - relationships?
Uriel: We are already used to ourselves. In fact, everything just has a way of being centred around our relationship. We see ourselves in our respective works and in our lives. I'd say this is why neither work nor life has ever been a threat to our relationship.
Oreoluwa: We are usually very intentional about our relationship regardless of how busy life or work gets. A phone call to check in, quick i-love-you and here's-what-i'm-doing or where-I'm-going is how we keep each other involved in our lives.
The fact that we have the same friendship circle also helps. In fact, our inner circle is made of both friends and family.
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Have you two ever worked on a project together? How was it? What was the experience?
Uriel: Oh yes we have. A couple of projects actually. I really enjoy working on anything with my partner. She is so so detailed. Sometimes I'm usually eager to get things done real quick, but she would tell me to slow down and take my time, showing me specific things that I somehow missed out on because I was so focused on getting it done and away with. She ends up saving us from unnecessary expenses ☺️ (Which is very important).
Oreoluwa: Yes, we've worked on personal projects before and they were actually quite fun and seamless.
My babe is the type to take immediate action once he sets his mind on something, while I prefer to take my time, weighing the pros and cons, and checking for alternatives.
Yet, we make it work. Like I mentioned before, we do complement each other.
We all know couples have issues once in a while, what is one that you both had that stood out and how was it sorted out?
Uriel: Whenever she tells me, "Babe, we need to talk," I just know I have messed up😂. One thing I love so much about her is that she is so intentional about the two of us never being angry at the same time.
We experienced a significant issue that shook our relationship. It was so monumental that I almost thought I was going to lose her. One thing that has helped us thus far is a principle we set for our relationship from the very beginning: "The sun must never set without us settling our differences." Trust me, this small but mighty principle has been a significant catalyst for the beautiful experiences we both share as a couple.
Oreoluwa: Yeaa 😅
Well, like my babe said, for most issues we have, I try to ensure that I don't flare up when he is upset, no matter how I'm feeling because I know that it would be a recipe for disaster. He actually also talks less when he is upset and gives me space. This ensures that we don't act when emotions are high.
This doesn't mean that I don't get to express my emotions. I do so when I know he is in a better mood to address issues.
For the one issue we had that stood out, hmmm, I would say it was when I had a harassment issue and we had conflicting ideas on how to address it. He wanted me to be radical and confrontational, while I just wanted the whole issue to go away.
We were able to resolve it thanks to our support system who carried the matter on their heads.
Have you ever woken up in the morning & watched your partner beauty sleep? What usually comes to your mind?
Uriel: Yoooooooo🥹
She has a puffy cheek 🙂↔️. She knows how I wake her up with it almost every morning. I'm taking a bite from the cheek 😂🥰.
There was this time she made a style and it pulled her eyes a little, making her look like a Chinese. Yooo, she was literally looking like a goddess that day. I gazed at her for a while and wondered how I could be so lucky🥹 (ended up waking her with the cheek bite routine though 😌😂)
Oreoluwa: Yeeessss 🥰, although not often because he is a light sleeper and he usually wakes up before me.
At those moments, I honestly usually just feel at peace. It's like stargazing, there's just this sense of contentment and serenity.
Love it for you. May your love never fade ❤️. What would you like to say to each other?
Uriel: At the touch of love, every man becomes a poet.
Arike mi, nothing I say would probably be new to you, but I just want you to know this; you have been my dream girl from the very first day I set my eyes on you on that beautiful afternoon on the 8th of October, 2017. I am honoured to have you and entirely blessed to always call you mine, always and forever, till infinity and beyond ❤️
I LOVE YOU AYOMIDE ❤️
Oreoluwa: Baabbeee 🥹🥰
Oluwadarasimi ❤️
Like I love to call you because indeed, God had been good to me. You are God's answer to my prayers and I can never get tired of saying this because it's true.
You have shown me what a true partnership can be. With you by my side nothing seems too difficult. I honestly could not imagine a better husband out there.
I know one day you will make an excellent father and I feel so blessed that I get to spend the rest of my life holding your hand and that we get to experience all that life has to offer together.
I love you so much Babynm, and like I said to you on our wedding day, "may my heart be your shelter, and my arms be your home", always and forever ❤️
And lastly, on a scale of 1 - 10, how will you rate your partner?
Uriel: Ratings won't do justice but for the sake of numbers, my woman's is a gallant 10 💕
Oreoluwa: I will rate him a solid 10.
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