Eve Warmest Couple: ‘We were treated like VIPs'

Vincent K’Ofwa could hardly believe it when he got the call that informed to them that they had won the Valentine’s With Eve Warmest Couple competition. “I am actually over the moon right now,” he said.

In order to win, couples had to submit photographs of themselves to the Eve Woman Facebook page. The one with the most likes won the luxurious Valentine’s package, which entailed an overnight stay at at The Hilton, Nairobi, a Swedish massage and a champagne breakfast.

After submitting their photo, Vincent and his wife Anne Okello-K’Ofwa watched the Eve Woman page closely as they rallied their friends to vote for them. As the clock ticked towards the end of the competition, all they could do was keep their fingers were crossed. “Competition was so stiff and we really appreciate that we have good friends who helped us win this,” said Anne of their last-minute victory.

After such a close call, when they arrived at the Hilton, it had to be perfect. Glitz and glam was the catchphrase for the couple, who dazzled in matching outfits of red and white, completely in sync with each other.

They arrived ready to be pampered, and the Hilton was more than prepared. After some photographs with Cate and Chris Kirwa, partners in the promotion and the brains behind the #WarmestCouple hashtag,  the Anne and Vincent were shown round the hotel to have a glimpse of the magical itinerary that lay ahead of them.

The Eve Woman team had the privilege of the same tour before the couple arrived. The hotel’s deluxe suite was already designed to envelope its occupants in comfort and luxury but just for the Valentines with Eve Warmest Couple, there was an added touch of romance. 

There were red rose petals on the floor leading from entrance to the suite, through the lounge area right up to the bed. On the bedroom floor, the rose petals were arranged to spell out, “Anne and Vince”.

As the couple was ushered into the room, their excitement was evident. Not one to miss an opportunity to make his lady feel special, Vincent stopped at the bouquet of red roses that adorned the dining table and with one knee slightly bent, presented them to his lady love, who we fully expected to swoon at this point.

It was like watching a love story unfold, and if this was a reflection of their daily life, it was no wonder their friends voted them the warmest couple.

Making their marriage work is a decision they consciously made. “Marriage life is beautiful,” Vincent told Eve. “After the wedding we decided we would not make the big mistake most people do, which is to get so wrapped up in the beautiful wedding memories until you forget about the actual marriage.”

They have a 9-month-old baby named Ariana-Ava Adaya K’Ofwa who they say “has added more flavour into our already fruity marriage.”

Had they not won the Eve competition, they had made plans to spend their Valentine’s in a hotel in Naivasha, but winning this opportunity as Eve’s Warmest Couple was even more perfect for them.

“We were treated like VIPs everywhere we went and they really made us feel special,” said Anne.

They were indeed VIPs and staying in the deluxe suite (with an excellent view of downtown Nairobi) meant that they had access to almost every area of the hotel for the two days.

They could choose to visit the Jockey pub, which has an exquisite vintage feel and the executive lounge with complimentary services or relax at the bar and restaurant beside the pool. They could also dine in the Traveller’s restaurant that takes you back in time, decorated like an old-fashioned train, with era-specific antiques.

As part of the romance package offered by the hotel, they were also treated to a 30-minute Swedish massage on Valentine’s that the couple described as “very relaxing and amazing.”

“We enjoyed all these things because we could not waste such an opportunity,” says Anne. “From our experience, we know that the next couple will really have fun,” she said.

Vince and Anne, and four other couples who participated in the competition, will also receive copies of books by Jennifer Karina, the marriage and relationship counsellor who is also an Eve columnist. The books, “Marriage Built to Last” and “Healing Beyond Betrayal” are on sale in major bookstores.

Eve Magazine will be making this happen again, and more often. We relish the opportunity to be part of great love stories and agree with what Vincent says about love and marriage: “Aging together in love is one beautiful story that has been told from ages and we feel we really want to be part of the same script before we pass the baton to our next generation.”