It was at a very difficult time in my life. I was neither looking nor searching for a soulmate, seeing as my previous relationship ended on a sad note. I was just focused on loving myself and building myself into a woman I would be proud of. Everything was going ordinarily well in my life then. I had completed school as a trained teacher and my posting was in. I lived in Ho but I was posted to the Western North Region. So I went to submit some documents to finalize my posting. And I was returning when I met him at Madina in Accra. I remember the date, it was on December 24th, 2020.

If you ask him he would say we met in a “trotro”, but I always disagree. I like to say we met on public transport instead. I was in a sour mood that day because the trip to and from Sefwi had drained me. And I was also very hungry, so I bought fried yam to munch on in the car. I was seating by the outer window seat, which means two passengers would have to pass by me to get to the middle seats. When the first guy came, I adjusted myself to create room for him to pass. From the look on his face, I could tell he would have preferred it if I shifted to the middle instead, but he was the least of my worries. 

The next passenger was also a guy, a very handsome one at that. I thought he was going to ask me to shift to the middle so I was in a defensive mood. But he quietly took his seat without looking the slightest bit inconvenienced. After he got comfortable he asked me, “How far are we from Ho?” “It’s between three and four hours from here,” I replied. That would have been the end of our interaction, but something happened. My phone fell just as the vehicle moved. I thought it had fallen on the floor of the car but I was wrong. The phone had fallen on the ground. I had no hope of getting it back because this was Madina station. 

However, this guy showed concern in ways that gave me hope. I had an extra phone so he suggested, “Why don’t you use the phone you are holding to call the one that fell? Maybe someone will pick it up and return it to you.” I was touched by his behaviour, and I knew I wanted to talk to him again so I said, “This phone is frozen. Do you mind if I use your phone to make the call?” I did this with the hope that I could get his number if I got my phone back. Luckily for me, a woman picked up my phone when I called. She asked how she could get it to me. Right there my handsome dude called someone he knew in Madina, and asked them to collect the phone from the woman and send it via car to Ho for me to pick up.

My mood lightened immediately, and it was for two reasons: First, I was going to get my phone back, and then I would have the number of the fine guy who saved my day. By God’s grace, I got my phone back and things picked up from there. The fine guy and I got talking and in February 2021, we started dating. It wasn’t difficult for me to fall in love with him, because I knew from that very first day we met that I was going to end up with him. Our relationship is not perfect but we strive to make it work. It happens to even be a long-distance relationship, so we put in extra work to be present for each other. I remember how this guy would travel for thirteen hours via night bus to come and see me in Sefwi. I know that not many men will risk their lives like that, so I really appreciate him for that.

Right from the word go, he has been talking about marriage. It wasn’t just talk too, he introduced me to his mother and she welcomed me with open arms. He always talks about me to his siblings and his friends. These people in his life are so invested in me in a way that surprises me. On my birthday, for instance, they celebrated me more than my own people even did. That’s how I know that they know how much I mean to him. I remember how he used to ask me, “So when am I meeting your people? I want to start preparations for our marriage.” I wanted him to meet my family too, but I also didn’t want to go ahead of God. So I took my time and prayed about him, and asked God for a sign. Not long after that, I saw a clear sign that I was looking for. That was when I was confident enough to take him home. My people loved him, my dad especially. Everyone in my family is praying and rooting for us.

We have our bad days but the good days are more than the bad days. Currently, plans are underway for us to tie the knot, God willing next year. I didn’t know it was possible to have a healthy relationship until I met him. We know we are far apart so we don’t joke with our communication. And through effective communication, we’ve been able to build trust. We have come to understand that love is a bare minimum when it comes to keeping a relationship free of toxicity. So while we have love, we also have trust, commitment, loyalty, mutual respect, sacrifice, and understanding. This is how we are standing strong despite the distance between us. 

READ ALSO: He Will Give Everything For Me To Be Happy But Won’t Give Up His Side Chicks

 I hope my beautiful man gets to read this because he is an avid reader on this page. I want him to understand that he is the best thing that has ever happened to me, and I am not going anywhere because he is my world. I love how super supportive and super kind he is. I remember when he took me on a trip to a beautiful beach in Ada this year. He gave me his full attention and made me feel so good that I screamed in my mind, “Mama I’ve made it!” I just pray that  God blesses the work of his hands so he can spoil me more, just as I also spoil him.

 I know that mostly happy love stories shared are the ones that have to do with marriage. But while I am anticipating the day we walk down the aisle, I am also enjoying the happiness he has brought into my life. That’s why I’m sharing my story here, to inspire others so they know that they don’t have to put up with toxic partners. There are good-hearted people out there who will love you right if you allow yourself to meet such people.

—Ewoenam

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