One ordinary evening, after a hearty dinner, I found myself engaged in a casual conversation with my younger brother, who happened to be visiting. As we swapped stories about life, plans, and everything in between, he threw me a curveball: "Ezekiel, what's your ideal type of girl?" Without missing a beat, I rattled off a list of six personality traits I held dear, qualities I envisioned in the woman I'd one day call my own. His next question caught me off guard: if I met someone who checked off all those boxes, would I be open to starting a friendship? My response? A resounding "Why not?" That's when Oghenero, my brother, mentioned Amaoge—an interesting personality he'd encountered in their MyLamp community. He painted a vivid picture of her, detailing her knack for detail and her genuine concern for others. Intrigued, I asked to see a photo of Amaoge, catching just a glimpse of her smiling face in her WhatsApp display picture. And in that moment, I was captivated. Almost on impulse, I urged Oghenero to reach out to her on my behalf, to gauge her interest in a friendship. It took some convincing, but eventually, he made the call. As he relayed the news of my interest, Amaoge posed a few questions about me, to which Oghenero responded with gusto. And just like that, she agreed to let me into her world. That evening, I dialed her number with a mix of nerves and excitement, introducing myself and clarifying my relationship with Oghenero. From the first hello, I was struck by her warmth and openness—a quality that would come to define our budding friendship. As we delved into conversation, time seemed to melt away, replaced by a shared curiosity about each other's lives, passions, and dreams. By the time we bid each other goodnight, nearly 40 minutes had slipped by, leaving me with a heart full of joy and the promise of more evenings like this to come.

Amaoge and I had hit our stride, chatting away like old pals for a solid three months. It was one of those connections that felt like it had been brewing for ages, as if we'd known each other for years instead of mere months. But there was a little secret I was keeping close to the chest—I'd fallen for her, hard. I convinced myself that the L-word convo was best saved for face-to-face encounters. So, with my heart fluttering in anticipation, I hatched a plan to spend the Christmas and New Year holidays in Lagos, where Amaoge resided. The prospect of finally meeting her in person had me practically counting down the days. Touching down in Lagos on December 19th, I had a date with destiny—well, with Amaoge—penciled in for the 21st. The catch? I had no clue where or how we'd meet. Cue a frantic call to my buddy, Prosper, for some last-minute venue suggestions. Armed with his recommendations, I settled on Nike Art Gallery for our initial rendezvous, followed by dinner at Eric Kayser restaurant. The day of reckoning arrived, and I found myself agonizing over what to wear and how to make our meeting truly memorable. Settling on an all-white ensemble with a dash of confidence, I made a spur-of-the-moment decision to surprise Amaoge with a flower—a token of my budding affection and genuine interest in her friendship. As I stood in line at the gallery entrance on the 21st, scribbling my name on the guest list, my phone buzzed with a call from Amaoge—she'd just arrived. I turned around, and there she was, a vision of beauty that took my breath away. Our eyes met, and suddenly, all the nerves melted away as we embarked on our adventure together. For the next few hours, we lost ourselves in the enchanting world of art, sharing laughs as we roamed the gallery halls. Then it was off to Eric Kayser, where we dined and delved deep into conversation—unpacking our hopes, dreams, and the myriad intricacies of life. It was a magical evening, one that I knew would linger in my memory for years to come.

Imagine the sheer euphoria of meeting someone who instantly feels like a missing piece of your puzzle. That's exactly how I felt after my first encounter with Amaoge on December 21st. The very next day, I was itching to be by her side again, relishing every moment of our previous conversation. Luckily, she agreed to join me at the Cavemen concert on December 23rd, and there we were, soaking in the live music at Landmark Beach. It was a hilarious evening, with both of us navigating the uncharted territory of our first live concert experience—I'll admit, the music wasn't quite my cup of tea, but seeing her enjoy it made it all worthwhile. Our third meeting was a magical Christmas evening spent at Koi restaurant, courtesy of Amaoge's friend Ayo. Surrounded by her closest pals, I found myself falling deeper under her spell with each passing moment. As the new year approached, I found myself wrestling with my emotions, praying fervently for clarity. By December 31st, I knew with unwavering certainty that I wanted to embark on a serious relationship with Amaoge—one that could potentially lead to marriage. With a heart full of hope and nerves of steel, I mustered the courage to convey my feelings to her via WhatsApp, just before heading to Mass for the new year's eve. Her response, exactly a week later, was a beacon of light amidst my uncertainty. Over a leisurely lunch date, we discussed the possibility of a future together, albeit cautiously. And while she voiced her reservations about long-distance relationships, I vowed to bridge the gap between us with frequent visits to Lagos. Back in Benin City, life resumed its normal rhythm, but thoughts of Amaoge consumed my every waking moment. I made it my mission to stay connected, showering her with video calls and heartfelt letters. She, in turn, promised to pray and reflect on the path ahead. Then came February 28th—a turning point in our journey. In an email, Amaoge expressed her heartfelt acceptance of my offer, acknowledging the gravity of our decision and our shared faith in a brighter future together. And so, March 1st heralded a new chapter in our love story—a chapter marked by unwavering commitment, shared dreams, and the occasional bump in the road. But through it all, our shared values and mutual respect have been our guiding lights. Fast forward seven months, and on September 11th, 2023, I mustered the courage to pop the question once more. This time, her answer was a resounding "Yes"—a moment etched in time as the beginning of forever. And here we are, basking in the glow of love's embrace, ready to take on whatever life throws our way, hand in hand.