After a long hiatus, we are glad to announce that the 1 + The One’s ‘Waiting and Loving’ it series – all about couples that waited till their wedding night – how they
overcame the challenges etc..is back!!
Some claim abstinence in a relationship is not only archaic but down-right Impossible,
however, if you have followed the series, then you know that it is infact very possible! Yes, people are doing it; Waiting and Loving It!!
These couple are featured to inspire you to believe that by God’s grace it is
possible to wait to have sex after marriage. You and I have been called to be
the light of the world (Matt 5:14), and that we must be and do by God’s grace.
It’s not too late to make a decision either.. Even if it hasn’t been the case
in the past, as couples have shared here previously, it’s very possible to begin
anew and let God give the grace!
Today, Isioma and Tobore were featured on the blog…….you are so gonna love their ‘Awww’ love story of how they met, plus you will have many things to laugh about too…enjoy!
One: Hiya Isioma and Tobore, glad to have you on the hot seat! I
think I am definitely giddy with excitement 🙂 Please could you tell
us a little about yourselves?
Isioma – Hi!!! My name is Isioma Benson (nee Ikediashi),
I’m a happy young woman and I recently got married to my gorgeous T-baby
as I fondly call him (2 months in marriage). I am a worshipper, I just
love to sing and show how good God is through my life. I’m also the
first of 4 kids (all boys after me) so I can be pretty tough at times. I
love talking to people and being an inspiration.
Tobore: I’m Tobore Benson, I can be quite reserved and enjoy my own company but I certainly love the company of my wife, my ‘Omotekoba’
as I call her. She’s the one person that can bring all of my different
sides out. I love reading and researching and finding out facts about
any and everything. I love to laugh and can laugh about anything. Oh and
while my wife is the singer, I’m the listener.
here…lol! It was an early morning, sometime before 7:00am. I was on my
way to a business lecture when I suddenly heard someone say – “Hey! Where do you think you’re going this early morning?”
I turned to see who it was and he was just laughing. I told him I had a
lecture and he found it ridiculous that I would actually attend an
early class. He categorically told me he wouldn’t attend if he were me.
Anyway, we chatted till I got to my faculty and he took my phone number
and the rest was 10 years of friendship!One: Wow! 10 years… That’s amazing! Tobore, we would definitely like to know your version of events..
chances of you missing an anniversary is slim to none *major points*..
Please go on…
some minutes past 6:00am when I saw this young girl walking so fast and
going to God knows where! I was curious as to where she could be going
to at that time of the day while I was going to continue my sleep from
where I stopped, at my friend’s hostel. I called out to her and asked
where she was going and I was laughing at her as well. It was even
funnier when she said she was going for a lecture and had to go early to
secure the front seat. Anyway, I asked her to slow down and we started
to chat until she got to her faculty and I asked for her number. She
gave her number to me and our story began…
After 10 years… the smile must be huge! |
Isioma: For me, I was attracted to his ability to hold a
decent conversation. Many guys in Uni lacked what to say to a girl. They
just talked a lot of crap but he made a lot of sense and he was
consistent at it.
One: .. A good conversation struck the deal for you, that’s nice.. What would you say made you know that this was ‘IT’..
Isioma: Hmmmm! Interestingly I only got to realise in
2014. We had been friends for sooooooo long and I had completely rested
in the comfort of that friendship that it almost seemed weird to think
we could spend forever together. One thing was sure, I cared about him a
lot even though I fought with him a lot too. Anyway, in 2014 he rang me
again and this time he wasn’t taking ‘No’ for an answer. I genuinely
felt in my heart that it was time to listen, I felt a calmness in my
spirit and a desire to tell God about it. I spent some time talking to
God about him and my heart and spirit was at peace with the decision to
take a next step.
I met her and I was telling my friend about her so excitedly and I was
looking forward to an opportunity to meet her again. I knew in 2005 (one
year after) after we became good friends that I needed her to be in my
future. It sounded silly to my friends but I always wanted a good
LISTENER in a person and she was 100% that person. I also wanted a
person who was friendly and hadn’t been messed up by wrong relationships
and she ticked it too.
made both of you make the decision to wait until marriage before having
a sexual relationship?
all the 3 years of Uni that we were friends, he never made any advances
at me. He saw me as one to protect. I think he felt he needed to keep
me for himself eventually…lol! When we decided to start a proper
relationship in 2014, we spent more time discussing other kinds of
boundaries just to avoid any temptation but we were solid on waiting. On
my own part, I had made a decision as a young girl to wait till
marriage and by God’s grace, it was a strong resolve.One: Was it difficult? Did you get to any point when you just wanted to let go?
Isioma: YESSSSSSSS it was hard! I think I can be quite the
‘toughie’, I won’t give in under any pressure and best believe I’m not
tempted to at all but with Tobore the story changed. We only had a 1
year courtship and we spent most of it apart but it was tough. We were
both so attracted to each other and of course we missed being apart for
so long. The few days before the wedding were the hardest. The days
became so slow….hahahahaha!
our marriage, one that is firmly rooted on the word of God. For me, I
cringed at the after-feeling if I ever let my emotions win. I didn’t
think I would be able to pray or worship and I don’t know if the
marriage would be worth it after all. So we used the ‘guilt trip’ a
lot….lol! We would say things like, what will God think of us now? How
can you minister to other people ‘Sis Isioma of the Holy
Ghost’…hahahaha! I kept my godly girlfriends very close, I will tell
them what I’m feeling, doing or planning. I wasn’t taking chances. Then
we prayed sometimes when we felt high on emotions and of course we tried
to spend more time in public places and with other people too. It also
helped that we were friends, we would tell each other off if one person
was losing it….lol!
what one advice would you give to your single self in preparation for
marriage?This is from the both of us – Nothing is impossible with God, not even
the highest mountain or the darkest cloud. We couldn’t be more direct
about this. We experienced God’s faithfulness at every turn in our
preparation for marriage. From deciding to wait, to learning deeper
things about ourselves, to submission, to wedding plans etc. We sought
God like the air we breathed and He showed up big time!
Tobore?
It’s PDA time! We’d like to step aside and allow you both indulge in
some healthy Public Display of Affection..
Isioma: If I knew what I know now, we would have been
married at least 5 years ago Baby T. Every day with you is never enough.
I look forward to coming home now because I have a partner who’s also
my friend. Cheers to forever baby xxx Oh and thanks for giving me a
really kool last name….hehehe!
Tobore: I had an opportunity in my lifetime to share my
life with you and I won’t trade you for anything in this world. Glad I
stayed till the end. I love you Isiyoma Benson.
I believe one of God’s names is Jehovah El’Romantique – Creating love
stories from time immemorial (Issac/Rebekah, Ruth/Boaz) 🙂
is an encouragement that there are so many expressions of God’s love to
us through people He brings into our lives. It’s not impossible, it’s
real and God can make yours beautiful too!
setting the standard and parameters for love.. Any other way is the
wrong way of doing it, no matter how popular it may seem. I have had
conversations with people who say that chastity is out-dated; impossible
in today’s world but time and time again, God proves that His word
remains unchanged through generations and fads, He remains consistent.
that’s a promise He has given that you and I can hold on to.. So, please
join me to continuously ask “Lord, please give me your grace!!” Amen 🙂