Love is indeed a rewarding journey. One that takes patience, understanding, and intentionality. 40 years ago, the Akinbamijos said ‘I do’ and have walked hand in hand through life’s seasons, building a sweet bond.

In celebration of this remarkable milestone, they are sharing stunning photos that beautifully capture a love that has grown richer with time… steady, resilient, and full of grace. There’s no doubt that it takes wisdom, commitment, and deep understanding to navigate every phase of a journey like theirs. Beyond the breathtaking photos, the Akinbamijos also share invaluable lessons from their 40-year love story, offering inspiration to couples dreaming of a forever of their own. There is so much to learn from each piece shared, from how they met to the devotion they share and the unwavering love that keeps them going. Their story reminds us that true love does not fade; it ages like fine wine. With so much joy in our hearts, here’s to 4 beautiful decades of love, understanding and companionship! 😍

Enjoy their anniversary photos and wise words below:

40years ago, two hearts chose each other and began a journey built on love, patience, and unwavering commitment. Through every season, every challenge, and every joy, our love has only grown deeper and stronger. This is more than an anniversary. It’s a celebration of 40 years of memories, laughter, sacrifice, and a bond that time can only refine. A true reminder that real love exists, endures, and becomes more beautiful with every passing year.

 Take us back to the beginning. How did you first meet, and what made you realise this was something special?

We were in Christ School, AdoEkiti, together, but actually met in the light of a lifetime relationship in the higher school, University of Ibadan, between 1982/1983. There, I was serving in the driving unit of the Campus Christian fellowship, Ibadan Varsity Christian Union, i.e., the IVCU. Then there was this caring ebony-skinned sister, taking care of the brothers who won’t close for the day until the last brother or sister was dropped in their hostels or off-campus sites, and all fellowship instruments safely delivered to the store rooms. Being in the same fellowship, we were exposed to the same rigorous teachings on Christian courtship, spousal relationships, the green and the red lights, home building and many other lectures in our workshops, seminars and other forms of tutelage. From these early acquaintances, one thing led to the other, and we felt we could go on unto a lifelong relationship.

What would you say has been the strongest foundation of your marriage all these years?

Marriage is between 2 human beings from 2 different cultural moulds. The issue of God being the Head of the home is germane. We should also remember that marriage is a life that is lived in the practical realities of the times and season of now. All put together, and being human, offences will always come. The humility and willingness to apologise when you hurt your spouse is a strong base, and the ability to truly forgive one another is also critical.

How was marriage like in your early years, and how has it evolved over the past 40 years?

Marriage has always been a divine institution established by God. I have only lived in one marriage and will always be in this, as long as the Lord grants me my breath. The fear of God in marriage is sacrosanct. Economic stability is critical. Mutual coexistence, trust and unbroken intimacy, among some salient issues, were strong pivots on which the home was built years back. It is now common to see marriages across continents and geographical space in the name of sourcing for economic stability. Where economic stability threatens mutual coexistence, the fear of God being debatable as a matter of convenience, cracks can easily develop in homes. All of these are new developments, but the intensity is becoming unbecoming. It is now quite alarming. Our being together for 40 years in marriage demonstrates our resilience in the face of many odds that would have torn us apart. Choosing to overlook each other’s shortcomings and constantly watching out for each other’s well-being above anything else are some of the things that kept us going. As it is said, a lasting marriage is the union of two forgiving believers.

What were some of the biggest challenges you faced together, and how did you overcome them as a couple?

Finance was there, as when we married, I was in the postgraduate college and so was not earning. We had to live apart. Then, eventually, we were both employable – one in Federal civil service and the other in State civil service.
There were also other issues evolving from these. We had sufficient counselling and teachings as ‘singles’ before marriage. Where possible, we often quickly sought transfer to reunite the family as soon as possible. We had to opt for the University job where it is certain transfers don’t happen, so the family could have a fixed base.

How do you continue to choose each other, even on the days when love feels difficult?

Choosing to remain with another even when love seems faded or lost is a function of how we started. We got to a point that I made up my mind that God forbid anything happens, and the face, beauty, whatever might be the attraction that I see now fades off, do I love this lady beyond the skin? We see in the world today, people who survive fire accidents, plane crashes, etc., and they end up being terribly scarred. If love is not beyond what you see, if it does not come from the being within the skin, the love will fade. Yes, there are moments when the butterflies may seem to fly; that resolute desire to be one for the other keeps one going. Of course, it’s not always a bed of roses, but we also know it does not contain thorns all the way.

There will be ups and downs, but your decision to love and keep one another suffices to keep one another through the low ebbs of the relationship. Natural phenomena of ageing will change the looks or whatever you saw in the first instance. The natural responsibility of childbirth will change the figure 8 structure that probably was the attraction, and the buildup of fat across the age, are some of the things that will deplete what might have generated love at first sight if there was no sufficiently deep foundation on which you’re standing. So the desire, resilience, etc., is a product of how you took off. As Christians, we hold on tenaciously to God, to his leading, and even when storms rise, we go back to that same God who has been with us from the onset, and he sees us through. We cannot rule out the place of prayer, but (for those who are just starting) you must also have that deep love, one for the other.

Share a memory you both love looking back on after all these years?

There are quite so many moments to look back on that bring laughter and excitement to us, but one that will ever be remembered was when our first baby arrived. Our mother-in-law was with us and I never knew she was within sight distance and I was fiddling with the baby, probably checking on her fingers, nails, ears, nose, eyeballs, toes and even making an attempt to count her hairs; and my mother -in – law said ‘ah, she’s a complete human being, just relax and be happy.’

What are some small habits or traditions that have kept your bond strong over the years?

So many habits keep us going, but I think the baseline is that everything must proceed out of love, care and kindness to another. See your spouse as yourself. What you want others to do for you, do to them. What you can’t accommodate, don’t do it.

What advice would you give to young couples who are just starting their forever journey?

As Christians, we will draw allusions from the Bible. The first is to give diligence to make our calling and election sure. Marriage is an institution designed and put in place by God, and as such, we cannot do without godliness in that lifelong journey of marriage. We see it as a calling, and according to that passage in the Bible, we need to give in and put in all our efforts to make that calling sure. Apart from the preparation in the physical, i.e. going for seminars, workshops, counselling, etc., the horse may be prepared for battle, but victory is the Lord’s. It is therefore important to pray regularly, submit your marriage to God, knowing fully well that the enemy is always lurking around looking for Christian homes to destabilise. Our homes will not fall prey to the devices of the enemy in Jesus name. Amen.

We need to recognise that present-day statistics present data on families that are breaking up, and may ours never join that figure. Cherish the bedrock of your marriage, and that is companionship. The issue of marriage centres on the premise that the average man or woman is a social being, who needs and craves companionship at all times and so we should put in all efforts to avoid loneliness in our marriage by unwholesome attitudes such as ill-motivated silences, using silence or avoidance as weapons against each other; forgetting that silence in marriage can even be louder than shouting. We should always give room for forgiveness. Even the Bible teaches that offences will come, we need to ask God for grace to be able to forgive one another at all times. We need to avoid using silence, rejection, coldness, piling up of offences and negative reactions as weapons in our marriage. We must not allow our homes to be turned into battlegrounds. Marriage is about friendship, it’s about laughter, growth, intimacy (not necessarily sexual), and we just need to meet the needs of one another.

When you look at each other today, after 40 years, what makes you most grateful?

When I look back, I’m always grateful that I found the person I have today as my wife. I do not wish for a better choice, and that is a source of joy anytime for me.

Credit

Photography @oyins_photography