Nollywood actor, Deyemi Okanlawon and his wife, Damilola, have been married for three years. The couple shared their interesting story with Punch’s Bukola Bakare. Excerpts:
How did you meet?
Deyemi: We met as undergraduates at the University of Lagos. We were both studying chemical engineering at the time.
Damilola: We went to the same university. We had some friends together. We kept bumping into each other at parties or at friends’ homes. Our paths kept crossing.
Would you say yours was love at first sight or it was friendship that developed into love?
Deyemi: We never really spoke to each other until a few years after graduating from the university.
Damilola: Our love grew during the time we spent dating and having conversations.
How would you describe your courtship?
Deyemi: We started dating sometime in 2011 and spent quite a lot of time together.
Damilola: We courted in the old fashioned way with a lot of time spent to know each other.
How did you propose to her?
Deyemi: I remember I took her out to dinner and I asked a band to sing the classic hit, Endless Love. I joined them in singing, got on one knee and asked her to marry me.
What was your response when he proposed to you?
Damilola: Of course, I said yes to his proposal. I am someone who is not easily surprised, but I did not see the proposal coming. I would say he planned it well.
When did you get married and how has your marital journey been so far?
Deyemi: We got married on January 5, 2013. Our marriage has been an amazing journey of self-discovery and growth.
Damilola: Our marriage has been blessed as we have both grown over the years and become better versions of ourselves.
How have you been coping with marital challenges?
Deyemi: As with all relationships, there would be moments when perspectives differ. At such times, we try to make sure that we communicate and resolve differences in opinions as quickly as possible.
Damilola: Yes, there have been challenges, but we have been able to surmount them by constantly reminding each other of what is important – the success of our marriage.
How often do you have arguments?
Deyemi: When it is clear that our views are not going to be the same, we choose to leave each other with our decisions. For example, I believe the US deserves a Donald Trump presidency while she believes that Hilary Clinton should be the country’s next president. There is no way we’re going to agree on that.
Damilola: We have quite a number of healthy arguments. We are both highly opinionated individuals but it is fun.
When disagreements happen, who apologises first?
Damilola: I apologise whether I believe that I’m right or wrong. I find that it’s the first step to a quick resolution. He usually apologises first though, as he is the more mature and patient one.
As a couple, what are your likes and dislikes?
Damilola: We love being indoors with the exception of date nights and we also try to go on holidays as often as we can. We enjoy spending most of our free time with each other as he is on set most of the time.
How have you been able to fit into your roles as parents?
Deyemi: We have a three and a half months old son and I think we have both successfully managed the transition.
Did you ever think you would marry an actor and how do you feel when you watch his romantic scenes?
Damilola: I never thought I would marry an actor. But I am coping very well. I feel nothing whenever I watch my husband’s romantic scenes. He does not like me watching them though but I know that it is all make-belief.
What do you think are the key ingredients needed to sustain a marriage?
Deyemi: Vital ingredients to sustaining a marriage include love, maturity, communication, humility and finance.
Damilola: Every marriage needs love, patience, selflessness and humility.
Do you have pet names for each other?
Deyemi: No, we don’t.
Damilola: No, we don’t.
How would you describe yourselves?
Deyemi: I would say that we’re both quiet, reserved and moderatel
