NYERI: It is every woman's joy to spend a whole day by her husband's side and more so, walk down the aisle after saying 'I do', as well as receive the same promise from her groom.
And the smile that Beatrice Wanjugu wore last Saturday was representative of the desires she has held closely in her heart since 1970 when she left her parents and married Charles Kamanu.
At 71 years of age, Ms Wanjugu's strides inside Munyu PCEA Church in Kieni replicated celebrity catwalks that are highly publicised in television fashion programmes.
And on his part, Mr Kamanu did not disappoint. Sporting a grey stripped suit with a matching white shirt, Kamanu, 94, staged a military entry into the more than 500-capacity church, as his best man walked by the side.
Even in their advanced age, the couple gave their best; a stranger could easily confuse them for the common middle-aged couples who hold wedding parties.
The weather also did not disappoint as a mildly warm sun sent its rays down, adding extra shimmering onto an egg-white wedding gown that Wanjugu donned. A cool breeze would constantly sweep the ground and inject some freshness into the party attendees.
On the eastern side, the magnificent Mt Kenya displayed itself proudly, with a cotton-like layer of clouds covering the three major peaks, Batian, Nelion and Lenana. It was a breathtaking moment for the roughly 300 guests who attended the event.
The vehicle carrying the couple, a black Toyota Fielder, made its grand entry into the church compound at 11.43am, and at 12.51pm, Kamanu was slipping a golden ring down the love of life's finger, as Rev David Gitari led him in taking the marriage vows.
Wanjugu would a minute later take the vows and likewise, put a similar jewellery on the groom.
Ululations filled the air, as their children, grandchildren, relatives, friends and all those in attendance celebrated the marriage between the two elderly persons.
SATISFYING RECEPTION
The couple hosted hundreds of people to a reception party at their home in Mbogoini, about 15 minutes drive from the church. Along the way, the public lined up and gazed at the convoy of vehicles as it snaked its way towards their home.
"It was my desire to wed my husband in 1978, but we could not raise the funds for the ceremony. Despite being too poor to hold a wedding, I remained hopeful one day I'd walk down the aisle with my husband," said Wanjugu.
She added: "I am very happy."
In an interview with The Standard shortly after a brief photo session outside the church, Kamanu did a flashback of his life with the love of his life.
"We married in 1970 and did our best to bring up our children and also educate them," he said.
Tabitha Wanja, the third-born in the family, said their mother had intended to wed in 1978, but the obligations and responsibilities of parenthood weighed on her.
"They were peasant farmers and they could not raise the money to hold a wedding. What they earned from farming would in most cases go towards paying school fees, among other responsibilities," she said.
And on January this year, the children decided to give back to their parents by helping them hold the wedding.
"We started holding family meetings once every month where we would strategise on how to raise funds, until this minute that dad and mum have happily wedded," she said.
But as expected, Kamanu shrugged off the idea of holding a wedding.
"When we told dad that we wanted to sponsor their wedding, he was not for the idea since he claimed he was too old. But we insisted on pushing him until he accepted," said Ms Wanja.
She added: "I have never seen my parents fight and even if they used to disagree, they would never allow their children to know. I think they used to wait until we go to school for them to handle their disputes."
The couple is blessed with nine children and 11 grandchildren. Wanja described the wedding as the best gift they have given to their parents.