INTERVIEW: What keeps my marriage going for 15 years- Mayowa Stephen
Recently, in December 2020, Gospel Film Director, Teacher Mayowa Stephen celebrated his 15th Wedding Anniversary. The Anniversary caught the attention of many online users. In an Exclusive Interview with Gospel Film News, Mayowa Stephen disclosed what kept his marriage for 15 years, how he met his wife amongst others. Excerpt:
Congrats on your wedding anniversary, what can you say has sustained your marriage for the past 15 years?
Thank you so much. I think the major sustainer of this marriage is God. The Word of God is the reason we have been together for these 15 years. The truth is, it is not easy for two people from different backgrounds to remain together without any sort of friction, and I don’t want to sound religious or “spiri-koko” by saying it’s all bed of roses. But you see, if you are a believer, who obeys the word of God, it will guide your conduct in the relationship. Honestly, we have our differences but we have had to be patient with each other where necessary and forgive when we need to. Sometimes, when one is hot, the other needs to be cold, and so on. So, basically, those are the things that have kept us till now.
How did you meet your wife and how were you convinced that she is your wife?
Well, I meet my wife in Lagos State University, Ojo. We met first at an office frontage and later outside the school. Eventually we became friends, it was more like big brother and baby sister and somehow she found out that I was into Drama. And coincidentally, that period she was made the drama unit leader of her church (RCCG, Jesus House) though she doesn’t know much about Drama, she was fully in choir and that was and is still her Ministry. I think maybe she followed some of her friends to the drama group and she was almost immediately made the leader. So she dragged me to her group to help them direct some of their plays. I think God took her to drama that period so that we could come together (laughter). Truly we were not thinking of relationship because I had somebody I wanted to marry and she knew her but the lady was not ready to be committed so we agreed to quit. It was few months after we quit that I had a dream where I saw her and the voice instructed me to go tell her. I woke up and I think it was the next day that I asked her to marry me. Fortunately she too had been receiving some signals and that made it very easy. And here we are, 15 years and still counting.
What is your memorable experience in marriage?
My most memorable experience in this marriage will be when my daughter was conceived. I was so excited. And my wife even observed that I was showing her extra special care during the pregnancy. Having a girl was a dream come true.
What’s your counsel to singles who are in a haste to get married?
Haste? Hunmm, if you are in a haste to get married, you may be in a haste to get unmarried. Because often, marriage is not as we see it from outside. So many times, you have to get into it to really know how it feels. You must be ready for it psychologically, so that whatever you get in it will not depress you, because you don’t always get all your expectations in marriage. But more importantly, when we anchor our marriage on Christ, it is sweeter because we have security and assurance of peace in the marriage. Marriage is not for amateur. You must be matured spiritually, physically, mentally, emotionally, financially, socially, etc. So, as you get matured, you must patiently wait for the Lord to direct you.
Why would you have done better in your marriage if you have a second chance?
What I would have done better? Well, nothing really. I think I wouldn’t have done better than what I am doing because whatever is responsible for what I am doing will still be responsible if I have a second chance.
