Our Love Story
From Fellowship to Forever
She made a rule: No fellowship brothers.
Then he made her laugh.
And now? She’s changing her last name.
How It All Began
Ayotunde
It all started at the University of Lagos(Unilag). We were both students in the Faculty of Engineering, and although we attended the same campus fellowship, Nigeria Fellowship of Evangelical Students (NIFES), we didn’t know each other at first. We were both new to the fellowship, and I was a year ahead of her.
In 2015, during a general evaluation and planning meeting organized by the fellowship executives, I attended alongside my best friend. I had so much to say about how the fellowship could be improved, I was burning with zeal and passion. But my friend encouraged me to calm down and express myself respectfully. I agreed, though I was sure no one else would speak up.
Then she stood up a first-year student, the youngest person in the room, permit me to say, a “small girl” yet she spoke with the boldness of a lioness. She shared her thoughts clearly and truthfully, unshaken and unintimidated. I was stunned. That was the moment I first noticed her.
On the walk back, I told my friend, “I love that young lady.”
I didn’t even know her name, but her courage and sincerity left a deep impression on me. From that day, I watched from a distance, hoping no one would criticize or try to silence her boldness. Thankfully, no one did.
Fast forward to the following fellowship administration, I became an executive myself. And soon enough, I realized leadership wasn’t as easy as I once thought. As my tenure came to an end, guess who was appointed as my successor? The Lioness herself.
I felt I hadn’t served as excellently as I had intended, so I drew closer to her, not as a romantic interest but as a mentor and friend. I wanted her to succeed and do even better than I did.
From there, our friendship blossomed. We became gist partners. She eventually joined my unit in the fellowship, and our unit head paired us as reading partners. During my final year, I was assigned to a hostel close to hers. After every fellowship meeting, we would walk back together, chatting and sharing thoughts like old friends.
Fast forward a few years NYSC posted both of us to the same orientation camp in Kano, in northern Nigeria. We flew there together, and our bond grew stronger. I looked out for her like a big brother, and our connection deepened even further during that time.
After NYSC, in 2021, I prayerfully sought the Lord’s direction about His daughter of Zion. I wanted to take our friendship to the next level from close friends to best friends and eventually, lovers. God gave me peace and a clear leading. Unknown to me, she had also been praying, and her response to my proposal was positive. That marked the beautiful beginning of our relationship.
We have grown stronger ever since, walking hand in hand, spiritually and emotionally. And in April of this year, I finally asked the big question and of course, she said YES!
Now, we’re preparing to tie the knot and begin our forever journey together.
To my Healing Virtue, I love you deeply. Thank you for being my partner, my peace, my lioness, and my answered prayer.
— Ayotunde
Thank you!
How It All Began
Virtue
I met Ayotunde during my first year at university through our campus fellowship, NIFES. He was in his second year—just another big brother in the fellowship circle to me at the time. Honestly, I didn’t pay him much attention, but I did notice his impressive collection of sneakers. That collection mysteriously vanished when he became a fellowship executive and switched to formal shoes.
We were both engineering students; he studied Systems Engineering, and I was in Surveying and Geoinformatics. Our paths continued to cross, especially when I eventually became an executive too, and guess what Ayotunde was the one who handed over the leadership role to me.
I still remember one incident where we clashed over something and I was like, “Who does this brother think he is?” (Ah, fellowship chronicles!) But somehow, we stayed friends through it all.
As fate would have it, during his final year, our hostels were right next to each other. After fellowship, we often walked back together, chatting and bonding. One evening, we had a deep conversation—one where I, someone who finds it hard to open up, found a safe space in him. I realised then that I had someone I could talk to about everything—and I mean everything, even the people we both used to fancy at the time. He became (and still is) my ultimate gist partner.
When it was time for NYSC, we were both posted to the same state. We even booked our flights and traveled to Kano together. Life kept aligning us.
Not long after NYSC, this dear “fellowship brother” asked me out sincerely, intentionally with marriage in view. Was I shocked? Yes! But after praying and thinking about it, I realised… even me sef don dey eye fine brother and God definitely gave me his confirmation and so much peace!
For someone who once said, “I can never date a fellowship brother,” look at me now about to marry one! Truly, God is the ultimate scriptwriter and He gave me His Son
Ayotunde is an incredible, sweet, selfless, intentional, and kind-hearted man.
My very own Tall, Dark and Handsome.
The Lion Himself
It’s been 10 beautiful years of friendship and 4 solid years of courtship, and now… I can’t wait for forever with him.
—Virtue
Thank you!