You make me smile

Joel cannot help it but admire his new wife, Esther.

Couple: Esther and Joel Rao       

Date: April 13, 2012

Venue and reception: NPC Karen

Guests: 350

Budget: Sh500,000, inclusive of honeymoon

Interview: Ann Wanja

EVE BRIDAL: How did you meet?

Esther: I was on my way to campus when a guy approached me, hugged me, introduced himself and said that he’d seen me in church. I had never seen him in my entire life! The next time we met, I was doing my internship. He walked in, saw me and shouted out for me in excitement to stand up and hug him! At that point, I wished the ground would open and swallow me! He had come to deliver T-shirts for a charitable walk. I wasn’t a fun of walking, but since he’d offered to give me a free T-shirt, I said why not! That was the first weekend of July 2008.

Joel: On my way to school one day, I saw this girl I knew I had seen before. Being the outgoing guy that I am, I decided to go say “Hi”. As I approached her, I could see the smile on her face grow. I then knew she recognised me. As I approached her, I can swear that she spread her arm as if to hug me. I played along and said “Hi” as I hugged her. It was then when I established that she was still in campus too.

EB: What attracted you to each other?

Esther: He’s the extreme opposite of me! I’m quiet, don’t like attention and very private, but he is just the complete opposite! I just liked the thrill that he brought into my life. He’s so full of life, loud, very social, asks many questions, and knows how to have a good time. He makes the best of every moment, so ambitious, hardworking, full of brilliant ideas and always pushed me to bring the best out of me. And even with my private personality, I learnt how to be more accommodative and more social like never before! For quite sometime, I was convinced he was not from planet earth! And, of course, he is handsome and has a killer smile!

Joel: Her beauty is the first thing I noticed. Little did I know she also has a gentle spirit, a kind heart and a sense of humour that I could work with. She is quiet and humble, and I needed someone like that, since I’m outgoing. She is one of a kind.

EB: How did he propose?

Esther: I had never seen him so nervous! For someone who could stand before a large crowd and give a speech without blinking, such a small task seemed like a mountain (hehehe), but it was private — just the two of us. Well, he got on his knee and asked me to marry him in the midst of so much emotion! I was in tears just thinking about what we’d gone through together until that moment.

EB: What was going through your mind the entire time?

Esther: Oh My God! I’m going home to our place with the man of my dreams!

Finally, I could now have my own house and make my own rules (since I had lived with my folks till the time of my wedding day!)

Joel: What time will the honeymoon start?

EB: Honeymoon?

Joel: We spent our honeymoon in South Coast. That place has really nice packages for Kenyans. It was fabulous and we had so much fun. There were so many activities that we did that we never thought we’d find in Kenya!