Chapter forty-nine: fully married

... On October 29, 2021, I boarded a Lufthansa flight from London to Lagos, Nigeria. We had a five-hour layover at the International Airport and before we knew it, we were on our final leg headed to Lagos, Nigeria – the city where I was born. It felt surreal and I was mostly excited to see my family and friends and to celebrate love.

Our wedding was scheduled for November 6 and we landed in Lagos exactly a week before on October 30. For many, this would be a frantic moment but for me, I was okay with that. I had scheduled all my fittings and everything else I needed to do physically in Lagos. Besides, as a student I

didn't have the luxury of time to stay for so long and we also didn't want to work remotely so one week was a good enough time and it definitely worked out.

We got into Lagos on Saturday and I went straight to my family home while Jimi (my husband), did the same. On Sunday, I took the time to rest and catch up with my family. It was a full house with many of my relatives coming in from all over the world. Some of them lodged in nearby hotels while a few of them stayed with us at home. I kept looking around thinking to myself, "Wow, these people really are here because of me". I caught myself getting emotional every time I had that thought.

After resting on Sunday, on Monday I went straight to business. Fittings, fittings, fittings. I had three outfits made, actually four (including my Introduction outfit. My introduction ceremony was on Thursday, November 4) so I had to go and fit them all to make sure, well, they fit. For my second outfit (Yoruba aso oke), the designer Mazelle decided she wanted to start it all over again and take my measurements from scratch so it was not even made at all. I did not fret though, I trusted the entire process and knew everything would work out. By Friday night, all my outfits were ready and I was all set for the big day.

The day prior to the wedding was probably the busiest day of my life. I got so many phone calls and many people calling to ask questions. From the planner to my guests who still hadn't gotten their access cards to everyone who just wanted to ask me for something. I also had to do some last-minute things – like pick up my outfits and get a jewelry set. At about 6 pm in the evening, we checked into our hotel Lagos Intercontinental Hotel, I had dinner, took Tylenol, turned off my phone, and slept like a baby. I had messaged some key people to say that if they needed anything urgent, they reach out to my sister.

The decision to turn off my phone and sleep early the night before my wedding turned out to be one of the best decisions. I felt well-rested and ready for my 6 am start.

I got up at 6, said a prayer, had a slow shower, and ordered breakfast into the room. My makeup artist Tenny Coco came by at around 7 and the preparations for the day had begun. Shortly after, the photography team and videography team came, my stylist came, my gele stylist came, and my wedding assistant of the day came. My hotel room was filled with the glam team – all of them doing their part to make sure I looked and felt the best on my day.

After my makeup was done, I proceeded to do a photoshoot of all three outfits. I started with my asooke Yoruba outfit, then proceeded to do my last outfit of the day – a modern Yoruba outfit fit for the evening and then the first outfit which was a traditional Yoruba outfit. I wore that last for the photoshoot as that was what I was wearing to the reception. I felt absolutely beautiful in all of them.

Shortly after my photoshoot was done, my girls joined me in the room and we did some rounds of photos. Jimi also came into the hotel room and we had our little moment. It was such a fun morning/afternoon already and I was looking forward to the rest of the day.

We made our way to the reception which was at the Civic Center, VI. We were welcomed with a palm wine drink which was such a nice touch – I didn't realize I was quite thirsty.

The rest of the day was amazing. I danced into the venue, greeted the parents, did some other traditional rites, had some fun games played, danced a lot (I can't believe how much dancing we actually did), had some food, and really just took in the whole experience. It was such an amazing day that totally exceeded my expectations. Every single thing went well and I give God all the glory for the successful traditional wedding.

As for our white wedding was like wow!

The wedding ceremony and the after-wedding party took place at the Church of San Giorgio a Varenna and at the fabulous Villa Bonomi, a property located on the west side of Lake Como. Each moment was marked by the warm-heartedness of both families of the newlyweds, the enthusiasm of our friends who came from all over the world, and the love and appreciation of all the guests.

By observing them on our big day you would not be able to tell but our love also developed despite long distance thing.

It wasn't like my traditional cause just a few people came. Like Jimi's father's business partners, family members, friends, and Jimi's business partners.

I got lots of gifts from everyone, more than I had received at my traditional wedding.

My father-in-law got me the latest SUV, my mother-in-law got me everything need in the kitchen including cooking ware. As for my sister, she got me the craziest gift which was 12 sets of sexy nightwear it came along with a short note write ''Don't be a boring wife, make him go crazy".