Most people believe celebrity weddings are packing up every minute. Check any news feed right now and you’re likely to read of one that’s just hit the rocks.
Three years ago, we ran a strong editorial, asking: ‘Who will save celeb marriages?‘
‘At a time when global moral values are on a rapid decline, it is not surprising that the nuclear family structure, and the conventional marriage institution, is greatly endangered. Marriages appear to be breaking up more than ever before. Single parenting is on a steady rise while the number of young people who are developing a phobia for marriage is alarming. For those who get married, and indeed, the marriages that seem to ‘survive’, stories of trouble abound: Married couples now cheat on each other with reckless abandon; the rate of spousal abuse is on the high; some of those who stay on do so for reasons other than those for which the marriage was contracted.’
But the truth is this: We’re only hearing more of celeb marriages going under because we hear more of celebs anyway. Look around you. Your friends from school, your colleagues, your cousins and friends; even your siblings. Most of us can point to family and friends having bad marriages or walking out of what was once heaven on earth. Marriage is a lot of work. You never stop putting in work until either partner drops dead. And because marriage, especially in an environment like Nigeria, is to many, what English and Mathematics are to college students, most young people feel obliged to take the plunge, even when they’re sure the circumstances are not right.
So when a complicated union like Innocent and Annie Idibia‘s clocks two (that’s not counting the many years they dated on and off), it brings some sort of hope. Hope that two young people who are terribly fond of each other can stay together and have all the fun in the world.
I’m personal friends with both. And I know that, just like my own marriage, they’re not having a walk in the park. But I also know that they’ve come this far because they are both clear about what they want and what present and future challenges are.
And the challenges are plenty. Possible interference and pressure from 2face’s baby mamas, especially Pero Adeniyi; the strain of individual work schedules – Annie’s acting career is rising and 2face is still heavily on demand, even after almost two decades. Then there’s the pressure that comes with trying to live up to expectations and prove cynics wrong.
My advice? Whenever trouble calls, they should kindly remember this beautiful vow by Annie Uwana Macauley when she said ‘I Do’ to Innocent Ujah Idibia on March 23, 2013.
‘My joy! My heart! My friend! My love!
I stand before you today as open as I can ever be, humbled by the light and love in your eyes. 13 years ago, I met the most amazing man on earth! I flew on the wings of that love, uncaring, unheeding! Believing firmly that you are and will always be the wind beneath my wings!
Life happened, oh yes, Life happened but through it all, my heart beats only for you!
My heartbreak became my greatest joy! My strength! My life! Day after day I am more in love with you!
When people ask me what is love! I say Love is right here! This moment! This second! Today! Tomorrow! Love is you! Love is real! Love is my eternity with you Innocent Ujah Idibia! I give you all of me today, knowing that in you and you only has this imperfect girl found perfection!!!
I do 13 years ago when I met you, I do seven years ago, I do five years ago when we created our daughter! I do through all the blogs and tabloid headlines! And on this day, at this very second, I stand in front of the world and I say I do take you as my wedded husband! I love you! I love you so much, so, so much!!!’
Happy wedding anniversary Dear Idibias!
Beautiful wife