How they met:Abigail Naishorua and Lenashe Ole Meidimusirkon

HOW THEY MET

Abigail: We both grew up in Loitokitok, but parted ways at a young age when Lenashe’s family moved to Magadi.

Lenashe: We met again in 2009 while visiting a mutual friend in hospital. Neither of us remembered the other, but I liked her because she was jovial, beautiful and outspoken. We parted without me asking her for her number.

We met again a year later at Abigail’s work place. I did not know she worked there, we had a chat but I still did not ask her for her number. A year passed by. I still had Abigail on my mind and I knew she was the girl for me. One day, I asked her housemate, who was our mutual friend, for her contacts.

THE PROPOSAL

Lenashe: We’d meet almost every day after work, have dinner in town and later drop her at her place. The dates were awesome and if we missed a day without meeting, we would feel so empty.

Abigael: The proposal was a surprise. It was my birthday. I was travelling back into town from field work and I did not even remember it was my birthday. He organized a surprise party at his sister’s place. He proposed while I was cutting the cake. It was awesome.

THE STORY BEHIND THE WEDDING

Lenashe: I went for dowry negotiations in October last year and the traditional wedding followed in Kilgoris last April.

We exchanged vows at a ceremony held on the slopes of Mt Kilimanjaro, Amboseli National Park, on April 26, 2014 in the presence of family and friends.

We were disappointed by two service providers who failed to deliver their best despite being paid. The cake person switched off his mobile phone and to date, he has not refunded our deposit. We had to order another cake to be baked on Thursday night. The décor person bought cheap stuff that looked horrible. The tailor forgot to pack my flower girl’s dress and she had to wear my niece’s dress, which was a little bit short.

There were many challenges during the planning — disappointments from friends, who had committed themselves to providing certain services and turned us down on the D-day. There were also some family members who expected too much from us. Our advice to young couples is to pray without ceasing for their wedding because there will be many temptations and barriers.

MEMORABLE MOMENTS

Abigael: Despite having had a wedding in the country where supply of services is limited, we had the best time forgetting all those who failed us. Mt Kilimanjaro was bright and clear. It was a rainy season, but it did not rain. We spent the first three days of our honeymoon in Amboseli and later Zanzibar.

PHOTOS AND INTERVIEW BY: wilberforce okwiri