Some couples are a living testimony that true love actually exists, Eric Maniraguha, an employee with Rwanda Agricultural Board, fell for Chantal Uyizera, a teacher at Groupe Scolaire Mont kigali APACE way back in 2006 when they were still in high school. 

Through thick and thin they have been together, holding onto each other’s promises and indeed their dream came to reality when they finally tied the knot last year in August. They shared their journey with Sunday Times Donah Mbabazi. --

HIM

When did you pick up the courage to approach Chantal? When we met, we were classmates in form five. Through our interactions I fell for her but I couldn’t do anything about it because ‘coupling’ wasn’t allowed at school and also being choir members we wouldn’t dare start an intimate relationship. It was hard concealing my feelings but later when we were in our senior six vacation I finally told her how I felt, I was surprised when she told me that she felt the same way towards me, that’s when I promised to love her for the rest of my life. How have you managed to stay together for this entire period?  After she agreed to be my girlfriend we sat and agreed on the direction of our relationship. She stayed with me when I had little to offer, this showed me that she is a very special woman one can have for the long haul. We also stood by our promises and I am telling you that seven years elapsed with our love only growing stronger; Chantal will always be the love of my life. Is it difficult for couples to date for many years and remain chaste? It’s not easy but if one holds their beliefs strongly they can actually make it. I believe that engaging in sexual relations before marriage confuses emotions so it’s always better to wait; we chose to wait for marriage and this strengthened our relationship. How do you deal with disagreements as a couple? Well it’s rare for us to have arguments but I can’t say that I married an angel; we fault each other however the good thing is that both of us are down to earth and our hearts are soft, if one is in the wrong we are quick to ask for each other’s forgiveness.

How do you make your wife happy? Every once in a while I surprise her with something new. I also shop clothes for her and she likes that a lot, I can come with a new outfit for her, target when she is not home and place it in the bedroom; she can burst with joy when she finds it. What stood out for you on your wedding day? It was the ambience that was filled with joy. The reception hall was full to the brim some guests had to sit outside, now for my wife and I we had lots of morale even today when I see our video I wonder if it was me or someone else. The other thing was that my mother managed to be there, she had been bedridden for a long time but on that day God gave her strength. 

*** HER Was it love at first sight when you met Eric? The first time I saw Eric something struck me, I felt different, little did I know it was love at first sight. Something pulled me towards him though I didn’t focus on it that much because we were still young. Why did you fall for him? I fell for his character, I appreciated the way he loves people and him being such a jolly person. He has a big heart and so different from other men. He has a lot of love and I needed that. How did you know he was the man you were to spend the rest of your life with? I loved him a lot even when he wronged me, my mercy towards him came easily because of the love I had for him, I certainly knew he was the one for me.  How have you managed to be together for all these years? We truly love and respect each other. We don’t take ourselves for granted and always settle our disagreements calmly. How did it feel that day you said "I do”? I actually for a moment didn’t know where I was, it was beyond happiness, it was a beautiful day, seeing my parents there made me proud. Some women believe that money is crucial in a relationship, what’s your view on that? Money isn’t everything and being wealthy or poor isn’t a permanent status things can change. Love the person for who they are and not what they have. Where did you spend your honeymoon? We went to Gisenyi for like a week but it was heaven on earth. Those are times I will cherish forever. Your husband said he likes shopping for you, how do you feel when he does that? I feel so proud and happy, my husband loves me and makes sure he reminds me of it every single moment he gets. That is something he has been doing for long and he likes it because he knows it makes me happy. And what is it that you do to make him happy? I know he likes surprises too so I do that for him, like on anniversaries or his birthday, I surprise him with a beautiful gift or even organise a party.

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