In a few days we make 10 years in marriage, its been a tremendous journey, and it seems like yesterday that it all started.As I reminced about it I was reminded of things that happened towards that big day that still put a smile on my face

So I was 22( I know maybe too young but age is just a number not so) and had just finished campus, I was working in a call centre for Orange at that time. Actually I graduated in February and that’s when I got the proposal for marriage, I remember it was at a church retreat at the beach where he proposed, I first thought it was a joke but he was so serious and I got excited, but part of me was scared that I was too young to get married,( I had always imagined working for a while, getting my money before attempting this)I accepted of course but I knew I still had like a year to organise myself and get married.

My father was tough and I knew convincing him that I was ready was going to take time, especially since I was getting married outside my tribe oh that was an issue at that time,an issue I had never understood but anyway I decided I would tell him and whichever day or year he decided was what we would go with and we agreed about that but at the back of my mind I knew it would also help me prepare myself for the new season which I was excited about but dreaded at the same time because of the marriages I saw around me.

It took me a week to gather the courage and after pulling all the courage I had and even borrowing some from my ancestors since mine was not enough, I sat at the breakfast table waiting for my father to wake up and I tell him myself,I talked myself out of it like 10 times but I had to do it( traditionally this was done by a go between known as katerarume in my language) but being sure he was going to say wait i didn’t see why bother other people.

When I heard his bedroom door open I can swear my heart dropped to my stomach and I run outside ,I couldn’t do it, it was too hard. After 30 minutes I composed myself and came in and he was finishing his breakfast. I greeted him like 5 times as I gathered my courage and told him .”Daddy, I want to get married.” The silence that followed seemed like an eternity, if you were near me you could count my heart beat one at a time but eventually he asked me, do you love the man.I quickly said ofcourse I do and went on to tell him about my fiancé

The next words that came out of his mouth were the last I would expect, he said when do you want the wedding,remember this was something I hadn’t even thought about since it wasn’t a something I expected, I panicked and answered that August which was only 6 months away knowing he would say ofcourse no..but he went on to surprise me by saying its fine, if he makes you happy that’s good enough for me so August it is

I think I fainted briefly and once I was out of it I said thank you and literally run to my bedroom, I had to tell the man I had told most likely the wedding would be next year that he had 6 months to prepare a wedding…

Till tomorrow…

Cooking can sometimes feel like a chore at the end of a busy day. It’s often tempting to throw a ready meal in the oven or call for take out. But preparing a simple and healthy family meal doesn’t have to be hard or time-consuming. Here are some quick wholesome dishes that you and your family will love. They can even be prepared in advance.

I know, what could be better that a steaming plate of fries, gravy and cheese curd? Fries, gravy, cheese curd and bacon, that’s what! Throw in some fresh shallots, chilli, and a splash of roasted bone marrow and duck gravy, and we turn this popular French-Canadian dish into a something sublime.

During the week we’re often walking out the door with a coffee in one hand and slice of toast in the other, but on weekends breakfast is never rushed. It’s a late affair, sometimes spilling over to lunch, with lots of reading and chatter in between courses of fruits, poached eggs, honey and toast. One of our favorite things we like to serve when friends are visiting are buckwheat blueberry pancakes.

There’s nothing better than a warm bowl of pumpkin soup on a cold autumn day. Combine your roasted pumpkin with some onion, garlic, vegetable broth, and a few spices, and give it some time to simmer away. Pair it with a few slices of fresh bread to turn it into something sublime.