Like a startup, we’ve had our challenges , ups and downs, but we go through them together.
Emmanuel, a software developer and Elizabeth a teacher building the perfect life together while striving for growth.
ICYMI, catch the previous edition here
Rela Tech ship: is a love story of tech couples by NTBTS where we delve into their relationships, situationships, and maybe some entanglements.
Hello guys, good day. Kindly introduce yourself and tell us what you do.
Emmanuel: My name is Emmanuel and I'm a software developer. I met my wife before I started my developer career.
Elizabeth: My name is Elizabeth, I am a teacher by profession.
So how did you guys meet each other?
Emmanuel: We met during my NYSC at Sokoto state and she was actually living there. I'm also a saxophonist and I was part of a band. We do go from church to church and we went to her church, but we started talking in 2018 during my post-graduate.
Oh, I want to hear her version too.
Elizabeth: Yes, I guess I have the original version. So I was connected to the copper during the service and a saxophonist was training me. Somehow, they came to play in my church and he just has this ajebota vibe, like all these rich kids, and he was just everywhere. So, I knew him as that rich kid. I am part of the welfare department and I was supposed to be in charge of their hospitality, but he's not interested. After church, I was trying to greet him, he did not respond. I have all their contacts, so I can reach out and appreciate them, but brother did not respond until months later.
I'm curious, why is he not responding? He doesn't like talking to sisters?
Emmanuel: I have that bad habit of not responding to people I don't know, but I'm much better now. When I proposed to her, she also took months before giving me her response.
Shege for Shege, I like that. So what attracted you to each other?
Emmanuel: She’s a writer. She’s very good at using stories to explain something. I received one of her broadcasts, and it was interesting and engaging, so I decided to respond and give my two cents. Her picture wasn't there, so it wasn't her picture. What attracted me was that she’s very welcoming and can hold a good conversation. She's a good listener, and I was in a foreign land. The fact that God brought a friend and her welcoming attitude was the main catch for me. Even though we were far away, we were still close to each other.
Elizabeth: My attraction was his heart. He has a very compassionate heart for people. I desired to see people happy, and I’ve always wished the person I get married to will see life in the same direction and not be a self-centered person.
The first time you met each other, what was your first impression?
Emmanuel: It was mixed feelings.
Elizabeth: I’ve met him several times. This brother ignored me several times, so there was no feeling. But when I later met him again, when we started having feelings for each other, I was like, "Okay, the brother is fine."
Emmanuel: Let me give it more context. For her dad to know that I was serious, I needed to visit them at Sokoto, and I was still interning. But I just had to make time and money. It was a day before her dad’s birthday, and I helped with the planning.
Elizabeth: What was your first impression?
Emmanuel: For me, it was her beauty. The relationship was long distance, so when I saw her, I was like, "Wow, I’m so lucky. She’s so beautiful. I’m the luckiest man on earth."
God, when?
Elizabeth: Soon.
Who’s the better cook?
Emmanuel: It’s her, abeg.
Elizabeth: That’s very simple now.
Emmanuel: The grace to cook left me a month before our wedding.
Elizabeth: But who is the better cook?
Emmanuel: You want me to say it? She's the better cook. Although I have a very popular spaghetti, I can help with other things like Semo, Amala.
Elizabeth, how is his spaghetti?
Elizabeth: His spaghetti is normal, but when it comes with swallow, he’s very good. And his egg - I can never forget the first meal he made in this house after our honeymoon. The egg was muuah.
Emmanuel: It has portion. I added love portion.
Lmaooo, so how long have you guys been married?
Emmanuel: It’s been like two years now.
Awww, what has the experience been like?
Emmanuel: It has been sweet. Definitely, we’ve had challenges as a startup couple, ups and downs, and we go through them together.
Elizabeth: He’s using the tech word. I will say it has been beautiful. The ups and downs help our bond grow stronger. And we also have a son.
Emmanuel: Yes, Ezra.
How do you manage work and relationship?
Emmanuel: When we got married, it was post-COVID, and I was working remotely. So, working from home helped us bond and grow our relationship. But now, I work onsite, and we still try to balance things out. For me, Saturday and Sunday are for my family.
Elizabeth: For me, personally, I don’t bring work home, but I do try to put everything in place. When I’m at home, I know I’m at home, and when I’m at work, I know I’m at work. Monday to Friday are work days, and during the weekend, we try to relax, bond, and God has been helping us.
Tell us three things that you love about your partner.
Elizabeth: I love his heart, his playful nature, and the fact that he's a teacher. He teaches a lot. Over to you, brother.
Emmanuel: The first thing I love about my wife is the fact that I can be free with her. She’s my best friend, and I can tell her anything. She’s always eager to learn, and the way she looks out for me ensures I dress well. She's also like my personal assistant.
What are the three things that are dealbreakers for you?
Emmanuel: We are married. There is nowhere we are running to.
Elizabeth: I forgot to mention this, but one of the things that attracted me to my husband.
You have been saying 'my husband, my husband' since. Please small small o.
Elizabeth: Lmaooo. Okay, I won’t suffocate you. but one of the things that attracted me to my husband is that he’s a man of his word.
Aww. Emmanuel, this one is for you. What is your skincare product? If you don’t get it, you pay a fine.
Emmanuel: She’s more into natural products.
Elizabeth: But I still use skincare products. If you don't get it, you will pay a fine.
Emmanuel: No now, rest rest. Let me rephrase my words. I’m literally thinking about her morning routine. She uses Nivea products and Miracle Hair for her hair.
What is a food she cannot get tired of?
Emmanuel: Tea, that’s what she starts and ends her day with.
Tea is not food o.
Elizabeth, is he paying a fine?
Elizabeth (laughs) No, I get tired of food.
Now Elizabeth, this one is for you. What is Emmanuel’s favorite color?
Elizabeth: Blue.
Emmanuel: Yes, she’s right.
What are the two fashion items your partner can’t do without?
Elizabeth: Rings and cufflinks.
Have you ever worked on the same project before?
Emmanuel: Yes, when I was working, she was like my personal assistant and would be with me during meetings. We also work together when she has a task from school - we mark scripts together and even do house chores together. It’s very interesting.
I want to say "God when?" but I’m not saying it. You relationship people are suffocating me. So I know you guys are married, but when you wake up to each other's beautiful faces, what normally comes to mind?
Emmanuel: For me, it's an act of gratitude because now I’m not only waking up to her but to our son as well. It’s an act of gratitude and a sense of responsibility. I don’t want to mess up at work and be unable to take care of them.
Elizabeth: Same for me - it’s a sense of gratitude and responsibility.
Aww, when you got pregnant, what was the experience like?
Elizabeth: I wasn’t expecting to get pregnant when it happened, so it was like a surprise for my husband and me but we were full of gratitude. Our family was really happy though.
Who keeps the financial tabs between you?
Emmanuel: I’m like the budget manager, and she’s the financial manager.
Elizabeth: I’m the financial manager, and my husband is the enjoyment manager. The brother can enjoy himself well, but I’m the "let us save o" type.
Emmanuel, this one is for you. There is a saying that tech bros are ashawo. What do you think about this?
Emmanuel: It depends. Sometimes they are looking for ways to de-stress.
De-stressing with multiple women?
Emmanuel: Ha, nooo.
Lol. If you are allowed to go back 10 years in time, what would you have told your younger self?
Emmanuel: Don’t be scared of coding.
Elizabeth: I would tell my younger self to give others the grace I give myself.
Where do you see yourself in the next 10 years?
Emmanuel: I see myself building something of value for millions of people and helping children find their purpose.
Elizabeth: I see myself running an organization that focuses on helping people, especially kids, writing and publishing a book, and getting into music.
On a scale of 1-10, how would you rate your partner?
Emmanuel: I should say 10, but I'll say 9.5 because there is always room for improvement.
Elizabeth: I'll say 9 because we can always grow and improve.
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