Couple marks 23rd anniversary, recounts mockery, disowned by family
A Nigerian therapist, Shamseddin Giwa pens a heartfelt message to his wife, Latifat, recounting their struggles as they mark their 23rd wedding anniversary.
In a Facebook post, Giwa reflected on the challenges faced to be together, recalling how they were mocked and insulted, and how he was disowned by his family.
Despite the hardships, they remained united, demonstrating the love, strength, and resilience that have characterized their 23 years of marriage.
Giwa and his wife, childhood friends, are blessed with four children. He also revealed that Latifat came from a wealthy family but left that life behind to build a new one with him from the ground up.
In a lengthy post, he wrote;
“We were just two young people looking to be together, we could not have imagined how much we’d need to fight to get what we wanted,” he wrote in a Facebook post.
”To be together, we got laughed at, we got insulted, I got disowned. Day in and day out, we were reminded of things we wished we could enjoy, basic things like visits to loved ones, but could not because of naysayers, some of which unfortunately were family and so called friends.
So, when humans did what humans do, we went to our Creator, The Most Beneficent, Most Merciful…and He strengthened us.
There were so many days I’d lock myself up and cry alone because I still had a young family waiting for me to come and be there for them. So many times I’d ask why and wonder why it needed be that difficult to get things that could be free.
I’m sure Latifat Shamseddin-Giwa went through hers too because I’d have to set aside mine and try to be there for her, reassuring her I was and still am worth her sacrifice.
The favourite princess of an amazing man who gave up all the pamper and glam to try and build with me, a controversial young man just starting out.
So, what could have been worth going through all the above? This journey has been more than worth it and darling, I will go on it with you again without hesitation.”
