So...I Truly Did Not See This Coming...

I don't even know where to begin...

One minute I am moving to England for my dream job, traveling and enjoying the West End theatre life. The next minute I'm visiting Lagos, Nigeria with Bae. So, I guess I will tell you how it happened...

This will only makes sense to those who love me and accept me as I am: unconventional & bold!

There are so many factors that lead to where I am today. So many things that God has brought back to my attention. So many prayers that I prayed that I forgot about. There are so many things that God abruptly took from me because He had better!

God made me laugh. I remember saying..."One minute I will be single, the next, I will be married!"

So here we go...

Long story short:

I met my husband on a Christian Singles FB group. The group wasn't even for dating. It was for fellowship and humor. I was there to find funny Memes to put on my FB page. I was super grateful for the life God had given me. I surrendered to the fact that when it comes to dating and marriage, the answer was "No!" I knew God would give me something else. Honestly, I thought I was going to work a little longer with my current job to become a better teacher, and then God would send me either to Ghana or Rwanda to teach at an International school. When I met my (now) husband, we were just friends. I loved listening to him talk about his home in Nigeria. I have always watched 90 Day Fiance' so I would ask him questions about some of the contestants from Nigeria-- he hated it! We both also had bias about each others country- based on what we heard. However, I was fascinated about his country.

I remember us talking about "relationships" in general. I was brutally honest with him. I told him "I can just be your friend. God holds the key to my heart and He will open it to whomever He wills! I am not going to pray for God's permission. I am giving God full authority." I was able to be completely authentic because I was not trying to impress him. I was grateful and happy in my "single" life. I was free to do what I want, and travel where I want! We continued to talk. Then we talked some more. Pretty soon, we were talking and video chatting all day.

One day, I was walking on the track and God said, "Rotimi is your husband!" I started to laugh. Then I had a peace sweep over me. I asked God for a sign. A few Sundays later, God woke me up and told me to go to church....(I am working of faithfulness to church). It was my church's anniversary Sunday. They had a special speaker. At the end of the service the pastor asked for people who needed prayer for sickness to come forward. I went forward because my sugar has been high. So, reluctantly, I walked forward. The pastor (whom I have never met) looked at me, asked me if I was married. I told him NO. He said, "You need to stop putting that marriage off and get married!" After he said other words, I went back to my seat. When I got to my car, I laughed, then I had peace in my heart. I told God, If this is something that he did not want me in, I would walk away. I was used to operating in God's "No!" Immediately, He said, "But what if I say "Yes!" I laughed.

After a few days, God brought it up again during my journal writing. He said, "Sharon, what If I say YES?" I promised that I would do what the preacher said, and jump in 100%.

So I did.

I have full peace knowing that God has put us together. I have grown as a human in this process. The biggest thing I have grown in is learning how to ponder things in my heart until it is complete. I am good at getting validation from other people's approval. But God used this relationship to strengthen my ability to hear from God for myself and trust my heart! I have also learned how to mind my business and learn how to trust the person I love.

God has flourished me. I have fallen in love with Nigeria. That is my other home. As soon as I stepped off the plane, I knew this is where I am supposed to be. I became protective of how people talked about this magical place. These are my people. This is my home! The women worked hard to custom make my dress and make sure that I had all the perfect accessories. I was treated like a queen. For 10 days I was basking in my divine femininity.

The original goal was to do a secret legal wedding. Then we would have a celebration in Alabama with my family and friends in the summer. The courthouse wedding was super fun. We had a low-key house celebration, and ate some delicious food of Jollof rice, fish and stew.

About him:

• His name is Oluwasesan Rotimi Adebisi (Christian Name: Emmanuel).

• Born and raised in Osun State

• He played football (soccer) for many years

• He is a music minister in his church

• He has his own band

• He is introvert and wise

• He is a faithful to his pastor, friends, family and community

• He is Yoruba

• He has a dope work ethic

• He is gorgeous

I have had my wedding planned since I was a little girl. Those plans were based on what I saw. God created me different. On the way back home on the plane, God reminded me how much He knows His daughter. He told me that He knew that the wedding I planned was not what I truly wanted. Every aspect of this experience is very on-brand for me. I am unconventional woman! I have always been that way. It is a gift to those who accept me as God made me. It is a struggle for those who try to put me in the "box" they created.

To Be Continued...

In the meanwhile, here is how your can PRAY:

1. Smooth transition (there a lot of moving parts)

2. Job

3. Newly-wed life

4. Spiritual Support

5. Healthy Family

   
   
   
   

Some have asked for gift registry. We are registered with Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/wedding/share/TheAdebisis

Random facts:

Dress was made is two days. It cost $30 USD.

My head piece was about $2. My shoes cost $12, and my bouquet was about $2. I did my own makeup. My husband paid about the same for his suit, then we got it tailored and I picked out his bow tie and he paid about $6 USD for it.

We have professional pictures coming in about 2 weeks.

My promise to you is to continue to keep you updated through this season of transition.

Holiday Vibes