Elvis Nibomari, a research officer at the Office of the Government spokesperson and his wife Liliane Umukobwa first met in 2011 at Universal church in town.

A friendship developed which later resulted into marriage 4 years later. The couple talked to Sunday Times’ Donah Mbabazi about their love story.***

HIM

How was it winning Liliane’s heart?

I had no doubt about her natural beauty right from the day I saw her but that it is not what I was after and I almost forgot her for two years. A couple of weeks before Christmas of 2013, I visited her and proposed to her in a straight talk as I would at a business meeting.

Straight to the point ‘I want to date you, what do you think of that? She rejected me. I moved on but later approached her again after six months determined to win her heart. One day, in May 2014 I took her to the library and we sat in the garden and opened my heart to her, with the months that followed, the only piece missing was the ring.

After how long did you propose to her? How was the proposal done?

In November that same year we talked about the wedding, I visited her and put a ring on her finger, we were only the two of us but our pastor knew about it. I want it to be a private affair, that is why I only proposed without any other people.

He later made it public during a Sunday service and called her to the altar and she received my proposal before church members. The deal was done. 

Do you believe in sex before marriage?

Surely, our shared stand was no sex before marriage and we discussed a lot about that. But it was very hard for us especially in the first three months of dating. We opted to kill our sexual desires and I thank my wife because she would often kill the mood and didn’t care if I was angry or not.

Waiting is certainly not easy, how can couples survive the dating period?

It takes constant effort and the lady must be tougher than the guy. I really thank my wife because she was very tough, no kissing, no touching, those were the rules.

We regularly sought strength from prayers and for God’s sake, sex is for marriage exclusively, the rest is a trick to make people suffer let alone sinning. I know what I am talking about because I also had a few failed relationships before getting married plus a bunch of friends who regret having had sex before they married.

How did it feel walking your bride down the aisle?

It’s hard to explain but my heart was pounding with joy. I was very happy and I managed to keep self control.

And minutes after you said ‘I do’, did it feel scary?

Not scary because I was really ready and I understood the responsibility behind saying those words, every minute counted and as I made the vows on the altar I knew I wasn’t in it alone, my bride was there too and more so God was our witness.

How is life as a married man?

As I really imagined it would be. I am basically still in the honeymoon so it is sweet. While dating I realised she was a part of my life and now she is the centre of my life, my plans and objectives. 

***

HER

Was it love at first sight when you met Elvis?

No it wasn’t, he was just a member of the church that I attended.

At first he was not even a friend but later became one and things turned out differently.

What is that one thing that made you fall in love with him?

He was intelligent; I mean I liked our conversations and his ideas and just like that I fell in love with him.

How did you react when he proposed?

Because I knew about his plans that he wanted to marry me, I thought that I would not have any sort of reaction when he proposed but surprisingly I cried...but they were tears of joy.

How much did your wedding gown cost? 

Hmm...This is my little secret.

What was the colour theme of your wedding, why?

Red salmon, it is a beautiful colour.

Well I am surely not into colour meanings but I just liked it by that time.

What’s that one thing that you think people should know before they get married?

They should be sure of the love they hold for each other and be themselves.

editorial@newtimes.co.rw