• Love Life is a Zikoko weekly series about love, relationships, situationships, entanglements and everything in between.

    What’s your earliest memory of each other?

    Izzy: Saint Saviour’s High School in 2011. We were in SS 3, and I was our biology teacher’s favourite, so she’d send me to all the SS 3 classes to write her assignments on the board. In Jemima’s class, her friend would tease her saying her husband was here. I would just smile, do my work and leave. 

    Jemima: I saw him a year before that. We went on an excursion to Silverbird Galleria in SS 2. He was jovial and talked to a lot of people. When we returned to school, and I needed to reach my mum, he offered me his phone to call her. I just thought, “This is a really nice person”.

    Izzy: Oh, I remember that too. 

    I transferred to the school in SS2. The first time I saw her and walked up to her, she just felt like home. She had this warm energy about her, and I wanted to do everything I could to help. But after that, we didn’t interact directly again. I’m not sure why.

    When did you realise you liked each other?

    Izzy: I attended a computer training school with my twin while applying to universities. Jemima joined the school at some point. She was still just a friend then, but I remember she used to dress very nice. She’s dark-skinned, and she’d wear all kinds of silver jewellery — necklaces, bracelets, whatever — that popped so well on her skin. It made her look very beautiful. Every day I saw her, I developed feelings, although we remained friends for many more years.

    Jemima: At the computer school, there was a particular day I had to go to his house — we lived in the same area — to wait for my mum to get back from work. I was so tired I just sat with him and his twin in their sitting room as they were gisting. I don’t even remember what the conversation was about, but I loved how he spoke and reasoned. 

    Izzy, why didn’t you just ask her out right away?

    Izzy: Because we were friends already na, and that’s something too. It took about nine years before I even tried to go beyond that.

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    Ah. So when did you both know you’d fallen in love?

    Izzy: As friends, we saw each other a lot. I was always moving around the country for work, but she’d try to see me whenever I was in Lagos or Ibadan. If I were anywhere else, she’d always reach out. She was consistent with her approach. One day, I was at my best friend’s house in Ajah, and after work, she took an Uber to visit me. She came with catfish, so she made us pepper soup and then did some cleaning. She took responsibility even though we were at my friend’s house and he was supposed to be our host. I think my love language is when people do something tangible for me. She slept over, and I asked her out that night in 2019.

    Jemima: Well, for me, it was the fact that I like when people understand me. You know when something is happening, and you think you’re overreacting or going crazy. But you explain it to someone and they just get it. We were having a conversation once, and that happened. I think that’s when I fell in love with him. I knew with him I’d have someone I could always talk to who’d understand things from my point of view. That night at his friend’s, we had a conversation about sex and how I wanted to wait till I was married. His response made me happy.

    What was his response?

    Jemima: He said he understood and respected my decision. He never disturbed me about sex after that till we got married.

    Do you remember what your first major fight was about?

    Izzy: We never fought as friends. But fast forward to after she became my fiancée in 2020. She visited me in Ibadan when the lockdown became lenient, and my best friend was around. They went to a restaurant before I got back from work. I’d already told Jemima I wanted my food as takeaway, but somehow, my friend influenced her to order it to be eaten in and that I’d come soon. When I got there, I saw my food was already served, and it was getting cold. They’d already eaten, so I also had to rush the food. Plus, I wasn’t even ready to eat yet. I wasn’t happy with Jemima, and I told her when we got home. It wouldn’t have been an issue because I was just communicating my feelings to her. Normally, she would’ve apologised, but he instigated her, and the whole thing blew up into our first major fight. 

    Jemima: More like a misunderstanding. It wasn’t from either of us. It was a third-party influence. We hardly ever fight.

    Goals. Meanwhile, fiancée? What was the proposal like?

    Izzy: It wasn’t dramatic. Just the two of us spontaneously agreeing to forever, one day at my house.

    How has this relationship been different from past ones?

    Izzy: She’s been a friend for a long time, and we’ve been there for each other through the relationships we’ve had with other people, which is rare. Also, Jemima is a very peaceful person. Life gets stormy, but for me, she calms the storm. She’s always been there for me and is someone I can rely on to do what she says she will. Unlike other people who are mostly concerned with being young, silly and just fooling around, she’s a reliable partner. I can trust her with my life.

    Jemima: When I lost my dad in 2015, we hadn’t spoken in a while because I attended Covenant University and phones weren’t allowed. But he was the first person to reach out to me, and he didn’t even know I’d lost my dad. He just called randomly and knew something was wrong from how I sounded. He keeps talking about my consistency, but he was consistent too. Even on my graduation day in 2017, he came with his friend all the way to Ogun State from Kano. Izzy is always there for me, and that support is key, even more than love.

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    What’s the most unconventional thing about your relationship?

    Izzy: I’m a Muslim and Jemima is a Christian. Getting our parents to even agree to the marriage was a huge struggle. But for us to be able to build a relationship, marry and even have a child just proves we don’t care about labels. We’ve built on what’s most important to us: the friendship we had from day one, the trust we’ve built and our compatibility.

    Jemima: Another thing is we don’t follow society’s rules about what a marriage should be like. We’re more like friends committed to a lifetime together. There’s nothing like gender roles; we share everything equally. We both work, take turns caring for our young daughter, cook, clean, run errands, etc. We’re just laid back about our marriage.

    How has the relationship changed you?

    Izzy: It’s my social life that’s changed sha. The rest has remained the same. The “bachelor” me can stay home seven days a week, 12 months a year. Meeting Jemima’s family, I adjusted slightly to their lifestyle. My mother-in-law is the life of the party, and I really don’t like partying. 

    Jemima: Me, I’m now a mother! I’m constantly thinking about my husband and child. But the most significant change is how I’ve become more active in pursuing my dreams and goals. Izzy always says, “You know you can do this. Go for it. Try it. But just even try first”. Then I come out successful. He’s like, “You see. I told you you can do it”. It’s so encouraging. Sometimes, all we need is a little push. Since we got married, we’ve successfully japa, and I’ve started my Master’s — things I’ve always wanted to do. 

    What’s the best thing about being married to each other?

    Jemima: The fact that I’m naked. We know everything about each other. I tell him everything. We don’t find it difficult to make decisions because we understand each other so well. Many people tell me, “Wow, you and your husband are so in sync”. Of course, I mean, we don see each other finish. Also, we don’t conform to rules and roles. While I was pregnant, different members of both our families had everything to say about what I should or shouldn’t be doing, and we would stand up for each other. Izzy would tell me, “Don’t just disturb yourself o. Don’t listen to anybody”.

    Izzy: Our understanding and sync make it so good. One time, I was at home, and she wasn’t. Her aunt asked her something outside, then got home before her to ask me the same thing. We gave the same answer. We always consult each other before making decisions, and that’s what marriage is about.

    How would you rate your love life on a scale of 1 to 10?

    Jemima: For me, it’s 10/10 because what more can I ask for? He’s a great husband, and we have a wonderful child together. He’s sweet, supports me 100%, good sex. Please, I’m living my best life.

    Izzy: You’ve heard it from the horse’s mouth. I dey do my work well. So I’ll rate it 10 too, minus nothing.

    Check back every Thursday by 9 AM for new Love Life stories here. The stories will also be a part of the Ships newsletter, so sign up here.

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  • Love Life is a Zikoko weekly series about love, relationships, situationships, entanglements and everything in between.

    Tell me how you met

    Adeile: Yemisi and I first crossed paths about ten years ago in a big supermarket in Ibadan. I think it was an afternoon in the middle of the week, so the usually busy store had very few people in it. 

    There was this mischievous child with his father. He was dancing and jumping around. He’d obviously been watching too many cartoons, and although I was angry at first because I was overworked, tired and envious that this little boy had time for entertainment, he made a sudden move and sound that made me burst out in laughter. I couldn’t help myself. 

    Then I heard someone laugh too and turned. The laughter was pretty, but the face was even prettier. I forgot about the child.

    Yemisi: Yes, that co-laughter was like the beginning of something special. We went quiet for a few minutes, and I went back to looking for the one thing I had come to the mall to buy. Then I heard him say, “Hello. What’s your name?” I turned and answered him. He told me his name, and we started this light on-and-off conversation until I realised he was following me around the aisles. 

    For some reason, I wasn’t uncomfortable with it. He seemed nice and responsible. We exchanged numbers, and when we got to the counter, he paid for my item — a Sure deodorant spray.

    How did things progress?

    Adeile: I couldn’t stop thinking about her, and as soon as I got home from all my errands that day, I called her, and we spoke for some time. I mostly asked her questions, and she told me all about her life: how she was juggling multiple part-time jobs to put herself through college of education. I admired her diligence because it reminded me of my own journey. While I was still struggling, I’d come far by working multiple jobs just like her.

    Yemisi: He started offering me advice, and I appreciated it very much. When classes resumed, and I had to go back to campus in Ilesa, he sent me ₦10k, which was a big deal back then. 

    While in school, he’d often call to check on me and advise me on how to solve hard problems. Like the time I had an issue with a lecturer. He told me how to talk to the woman to get her to calm down, and it worked. At that time, he was like the father or older brother I wish I had.

    When did it become more romantic?

    Yemisi: Adeile’s kindness and unwavering support made the love creep into my heart. As a young girl trying to navigate life, having someone like him, educated and professional, as a mentor was special. I always had someone to turn to for help, and who was willing to listen to me complain for one hour. 

    Before that, I’d gotten used to bottling everything up because no one wants to listen to someone else’s problems. But he encouraged me to unburden myself. It helped that he was more mature, so he seemed to always have the right thing to say.

    Adeile: And for me, it was Yemisi’s resilience. Despite the challenges she faced, she always had this positive spirit that drew me in, even when she was complaining. I knew she was one of those people you cross paths with and make sure they never leave. 

    She graduated from the college in the early months of 2014. When I went to celebrate with her, I told her I wanted to marry her if she would wait for me for a year to set things in order. She just laughed, and from that day on, we knew we were boyfriend and girlfriend.

    Yemisi: Apart from my older sister, none of my family members came to my graduation. I don’t blame them. Everyone in my household was struggling to make ends meet. Most couldn’t even cover the transport from Ibadan or Iseyin to Ilesa. It was just Adeile, my sister and two of my close friends, so it made his presence extra special to me. He even told my sister he was going to marry me.

    If you want to share your own Love Life story, fill out this form.

    What was the relationship like after graduation?

    Adeile: Finances were tight, but love has a way of making you creative. I had to plan outings that were affordable yet meaningful.

    Yemisi: It wasn’t easy, but we focused on supporting each other. Adeile was there for me every step of the way as I started my teaching career. He helped me get my first job in a secondary school where his friend was the vice principal. I remember how proud I was that I was the only one in my friend group with a formal job for at least two years after graduation. 

    Then he gave me the best advice that’s still helping our family today. He said I should focus on getting into a federal school.

    Adeile: Apart from the slightly better pay, I wanted the job stability for her. I knew getting in young and at entry level would be the easiest path. Such an opportunity wasn’t easy to come by thought, and I focused on talking to everyone I knew who had access. We also put our heads and money together so she could take some small courses and exams.

    Yemisi: He had his accounting career to think of, so I felt blessed that he was putting his energy into my career as well. 

    Adeile: My work was going as strong as it could, but there was hardly any stability, so I wanted her to get it right very early. I was also working toward the same thing for my youngest brother.

    RELATED: What She Said: I’ve Given up on Teaching in Nigeria

    Sounds like your families were actively involved in your lives, did that affect your relationship at any point?

    Yemisi: We took the time to get to know each other’s families and friends from the moment our relationship got serious. 

    Adeile: Being from a conservative Christian background, there were many expectations of us as soon as my family knew we were dating. We had to handle these expectations delicately. It was important for our families to see the authenticity of our love, especially because of the 13-year age difference.

    Yemisi: We attended family functions together and made an effort to be a part of each other’s lives. He was in my house a lot, helping my father out with things around the house. He once helped us paint all the interior walls.

    Adeile: I loved to help her mum with her ata rodo garden too. That was before their neighbours “mistakenly” poured kerosene everywhere. 

    I preferred to spend time in her home rather than have her come to mine because it was important to me for her parents to see me as serious and responsible. That was just how I was brought up. And she was still so young then. She was a baby. 

    Our families eventually saw the love we shared, and that spoke louder than any preconceived notions.

    When did you finally get married? Did you keep to your one-year promise?

    Adeile: It was more like a year and a half, but I did my best. For several months after I made the promise, my financial struggles only got worse, and Yemisi’s schedule at the school became so demanding that it really tested our relationship. 

    Yemisi: I had to quit a year after I got the job because it got so stressful that I was always sick. They kept increasing the workload even beyond my qualifications because they couldn’t afford to pay teachers with more experience. Plus the emotional stress of listening to the students’ many personal issues took a toll on me. 

    Adeile: There were days when I felt inadequate, unable to provide the comfort I wished for her. She didn’t get into the federal ministry until 2016, over a year after we got married. We’d given up at that point, but a path suddenly opened up.

    Yemisi: One day, I was tired of waiting for everything to be perfect. I told Adeile we should stop waiting. It was in the middle of 2015. I’d just started a new job as a class teacher and administrator at a small primary school. Things weren’t better in terms of our circumstances, but I was happy. 

    I came back from church, and all that was on my mind was the pastor’s message about how God qualifies the unqualified. I can’t explain how I connected it to our relationship, but God told me Adeile was overthinking the whole thing and needed me to tell him everything would be okay. I’d just reached my gate when I pulled out my Nokia and called him to deliver God’s message.

    Adeile: I cried that night because the peace of God just settled in my heart when I heard her voice speak those words.

    How did the wedding go?

    Adeile: It ended up being much bigger than I’d planned without me needing to spend too much outside my pocket. 

    Yemisi: We used an open field for the reception, and it was packed.

    Adeile: I was scared because I knew the quantity of food I’d paid for, and there was no way it would feed the number of people I saw that day. But Yemisi just squeezed my arm and told me, “Relax. Everything will take care of itself. We’ve done our best”.

    Yemisi: Na marry we marry. That doesn’t mean we have to feed the whole of Ibadan.

    Adeile: People came through, brought their coolers of food and drinks — even people who’d never moved a finger to help us. At least, they supported us in their own little way at our wedding ceremony, and that one too isn’t bad.

    They tried

    Adeile: It is well.

    After the wedding, we moved into a bigger, better mini-flat than the one I was living in. And in a friendlier side of town. I was happy I could at least do that much for us.

    Yemisi: Today, we’re happy, we’re doing our best, and we have two beautiful kids to show for it.

    Adeile: When Nigeria tries to put us down with no money, too much work, frustrated plans, stagnancy, Yemisi always reminds me how we met, how laughter brought us together, and it never ceases to make us laugh again. She always knows how to put a smile on my face.

    Yemisi: Even our kids have inherited our laughing spirit. They’re both very cheerful, outgoing children, and that makes our home a happy one, even when times are hard. Sometimes, when there’s no electricity for days, we can’t put on TV, all our phones are long dead, we entertain ourselves with gist and jokes.

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    Have you had any major fights?

    Adeile: Of course, we’re not perfect. 

    A few months into our relationship, sometime in 2014, I was still figuring out finances, looking for better opportunities everywhere, and there was a business that required me to move to a different city for some time.

    Yemisi: Yes, and I was teaching here in Ibadan. I didn’t want him gone. I felt very attached to him already.

    Adeile: But I saw it as an important career opportunity that could improve our financial situation. I thought it was a risk worth taking for the future.

    Yemisi: I was more rooted in the present, thinking about the life we were building. And it was in Lagos, so all I could think of was he’d go there and forget about me in weeks. I know this was selfish, but I couldn’t help it.

    We talked about it on a stroll one evening, but before long it’d turned into an argument.

    Adeile: I decided not to bring it up with her again after that day, and the opportunity ended up not materialising. But I had to let her know sometimes one had to make smart decisions without letting emotions get in the way.

    That’s true

    Adeile: Even while married, we’ve had another major issue concerning work. 

    A few years after our wedding and just after Yemisi got the federal job, we had our first child. Can you believe she wanted to quit?

    Yemisi: We were both facing increased responsibilities at work, and I was struggling to cope with taking care of the baby after my maternity leave elapsed. I had my mother with me, but it was still a lot. I suddenly felt torn between pursuing a career and being the kind of wife and mother I wanted to be.

    Adeile: We tried to talk about it, but it turned into a heated argument about priorities and her feeling neglected. We were both overwhelmed, trying to find a way to make everything work.

    Yemisi: No. He’d already decided I couldn’t leave the job and was trying to get me to accept it. The only problem was I understood his logic, but I was suffering physically and emotionally and couldn’t cope. A marriage counsellor from church had to come in. 

    In the end, I thought about it from a long-term perspective and realised I’d regret letting go of such a position that was hard to come by in a country like ours. So I found a way around it, got some of my close colleagues to cover for me in some aspects of work, and we survived. 

    I’m happy he didn’t run away from having tough discussions with me to keep me from hurting my future.

    Adeile: It was good we took up counselling because it helped us have a lot of honest conversations. We had to reassess our priorities and what success looked like for both of us.

    That sounds so healthy. How would you rate your Love Life on a scale of 1 to 10?

    Adeile: That’s an interesting question. Well, I’ll say 8. 

    We’ve been through a lot together, but we still find laughter in each other’s company. Our love is strong die.

    Yemisi: Yes. I’ll say 8 too. It’s been a learning curve, and the fact that we continue to grow together is what makes our love strong. There’s always room for improvement, but we’re happy with where we are too.

    Check back every Thursday by 9 AM for new Love Life stories here. The stories will also be a part of the Ships newsletter, so sign up here.

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  • We like to think February is the month of love, but deep down, we all know it’s December. Everyone’s spreading good cheer, the lovers come out in their full matching PJ gear, and at least 10 couples get married every other day. 

    So, if you’re still looking for love and someone to wear matching PJs with, we’ve made a list of all the places you can find them.

    The market

    You can tell a lot about a person from the things they buy and the way they haggle prices in the market. So, the next time you make the long trek to your neighbourhood market, keep your eyes and your ears open for the possiblelove of your life. Just make sure they’re not the one pricing spaghetti from ₦700 to ₦200, you will hear it.

    A concert

    If you really think about it, you’ll be killing two birds with one stone. You pay an insane amount of money to vibe and have funwith your favourite artist.  But you might also meet the love of your life while at it. If you don’t believe us, look at this couple that met at a gospel concert.

    Family house

    Think about it; whoever you meet at your family’s house  most likely already know your parents or their parents know your parents, which means they’ll think twice before doing dumb shit to break your heart. Give it a try.

    NYSC camp

    There’s no sense of camaraderie as strong as the one you get when you and a total stranger complain for hours about any and everything.Trust us, once you get into camp, you’ll have an endless amount of things to complain about. Wouldn’t it be great if the love of your life came from that process?

    Traffic

    You’re probably in traffic half the time, so scribble your number on the back and sides of your car and see if you don’t end the year with a lover in your arms.

    Big Brother’s house

    This might not work for you this year, but have you seen the number of couples that leave Big Brother’s house? If you’re serious about finding the love of your life and wearing matching PJs, then you better start preparing yourself for the next auditions.

    Work

    You have to be there everyday, you might as well look around for someone you can fall in love with. If you can’t find anyone, then call HR and ask them to start hiring your type as soon as possible.

  • Love Life is a Zikoko weekly series about love, relationships, situationships, entanglements and everything in between.

    Let’s start at the beginning. How did you meet?

    Enyinna: We met about four years ago, working in the same department of a tech startup in Lagos. It was a challenging environment, to say the least.

    Tolani: Absolutely. Working there was tough; the pressure, the long hours and insults from our team lead when we didn’t meet one unrealistic goal or the other. But we somehow found solace in each other in the middle of the chaos. 

    We’d have long talking sessions during working hours, where we’d step into the restroom corridor and talk about how depressed we were. We just found it easy to talk to each other more than anyone else in the office. I don’t know why, but it was a relief because all my parents and friends had to say when I complained was different versions of “Be grateful you have such a good job”.

    When did you realise there was something more than friendship between you?

    Enyinna: It took a while. We were both so engrossed in surviving the corporate chaos.

    Tolani: I remember one day in 2019. We were working late on a project, and Eyinna made this terrible joke to lighten the mood. I burst out laughing, and at that moment, I looked at him differently. It was like I saw a side of him that went beyond the workplace stress.

    How did the transition from friends to “more than friends” happen?

    Enyinna: It was a slow burn, you know? We started spending more time outside of the office — getting drinks after late nights at work, exploring new bars in Lekki. At that time, a new one would always spring up every month.

    Tolani: Then COVID happened, and our workplace became even more toxic. There was investors’ wahala, company politics, layoffs and emotional blackmail, but we had each other to lean on.

    As your relationship evolved, how did your colleagues react?

    Enyinna: It was interesting. Office gossip has a way of spreading like wildfire. Especially when you’re working with so many young people.

    Tolani: We tried to keep it low-key at first. But as we transitioned from remote to hybrid work, our colleagues started noticing that we were spending more time together despite the social distancing rule, going to lunch, and all that.

    Enyinna: Most of them were supportive. Some even teased us about being the office “power couple”.

    Tolani: Of course, there were a few raised eyebrows and hushed conversations, but overall, people were happy for us. We were genuine friends before anything romantic happened, so I think that made a difference.

    Given how toxic the job was, did your growing relationship make things worse?

    Tolani: Surprisingly, no. Things were still as toxic as ever. But we were both professionals, and we made a conscious effort to keep our personal and professional lives separate.

    Enyinna: Our coworkers saw we were still committed to our work, and if anything, our relationship brought positive energy to the tense office. The pressure and constant scrutiny into what value you were bringing the company were the bigger problems. But having Tolani by my side made it bearable. We’d vent to each other, strategise on how to handle certain situations, and sometimes, just escape for a quick breather.

    Tolani: We realised we weren’t only surviving but thriving because we had each other’s backs.

    But why did you choose to stay at your toxic job rather than seek new opportunities elsewhere?

    Enyinna: That’s a valid question. 

    The truth is leaving a job, especially in an environment like Lagos, isn’t always a straightforward decision. The job market is highly competitive, and finding a new opportunity that aligns with your skills and career goals takes time. Also, the pay at that place was great; very few companies could match it.

    Tolani: A lot of our earlier conversations when we started off as friends was an endless loop of  “I think I’ll turn in my resignation,” “Should I just do it?” “I’m doing it at the end of the month,” “Maybe I should just wait till I get an offer” and more. Despite the toxicity, the devil you know sometimes feels safer than the unknown. 

    We were also hopeful that things might change and the workplace culture might improve. The founders and management always promised that.

    If you want to share your own Love Life story, fill out this form.

    How did you cope with the job while remaining committed to each other?

    Enyinna: It was a delicate balance. We had to be there for each other emotionally, yet we couldn’t let the stress of work affect our relationship. We found solace in the fact that we were in it together, facing the challenges side by side.

    Tolani: It was also about setting boundaries. We made a conscious effort to leave work-related stress at the office door. Weekends became sacred for us — time to rejuvenate and focus on our relationship.

    Knowing what you know now, do you think leaving the job earlier would’ve been a better decision?

    Tolani: Looking back, yes. Leaving earlier might’ve spared us some pain. But at the same time, enduring those challenges together strengthened our bond and resilience.

    Enyinna: Sometimes, the toughest experiences shape us the most. While leaving earlier might have been a practical choice, it wouldn’t have given us the opportunity to grow together in the way we did.

    Tolani: But then the toxicity never ended, and we began to question if this was the life we wanted forever.

    Enyinna: One day, Tolani asked me, “Let’s do Canada together?” We’d talked about japa on-and-off several times. Which Nigerian hasn’t? I was thinking of going to the UK for my master’s, one of my aunts was also trying to encourage me and my brother to come to the US. But none of those plans seemed realistic.

    Tolani: I was considering school in the UK or Europe, but Canada made the most sense because three of my cousins were already Permanent Residents in the country. So when I started truly considering it in 2021, I knew I had to raise it with Enyinna too. We were fully committed at this point; all my family and friends knew him.

    Enyinna: It was a crazy idea at first, but the more we talked about it, the more it made sense. We did our research, considering various factors like quality of life, job opportunities and cultural diversity. Canada seemed like the perfect fit for us.

    Tolani: Plus, we were drawn to the idea of a fresh start, away from the toxicity that had defined our lives for too long.

    How did the relocation process go?

    Enyinna: It was filled with expenses, paperwork, uncertainties and countless checklists. But knowing we were doing it together made it easier.

    Tolani: We supported each other through the highs and lows of the immigration process that took a whole year, juggling it with our 9-to-5 at that same place. Not only did we pitch our funds together, but both of our families contributed as well. We finally left Nigeria in July 2022.

    How do you feel about each other now, being in Canada?

    Tolani: We’re in a new country, and we did it together. Canada feels like a fresh chapter. Enyinna is my rock, and I can’t imagine going through it all without him.

    Enyinna: It hasn’t all been easy. The initial months were tough. Adapting to a new culture and finding our footing in a different work environment comes with its share of challenges. I mean, it’s cold and lonely, but we can be lonely together and warm each other up, easy. 

    The change of scenery has almost sucked out all the depression that made us feel helpless in Nigeria and replaced it with a sense of excitement and opportunity.

    Tolani: The weather! We weren’t used to the Canadian winter, but we’ve learnt to embrace it together. Navigating the challenges of immigration made us rely on each other in new ways. It’s helped us learn useful communication lessons. My cousins live in different cities, and Canada is a huge place. When you’re in a new country, away from family and friends, talking to each other becomes even more crucial.

    Enyinna: We’ve made new friends now. We had to make an effort to build a social circle. Meeting new people, making friends, it’s all contributed to making Canada feel like home.

    Any thoughts on marriage or starting a family?

    Tolani: We’re taking it one step at a time. Right now, we’re focused on settling in, building our careers and enjoying the adventure.

    Enyinna: Marriage is definitely on the horizon. We’ve discussed it, and it’s part of our plans. As for starting a family, that’s something we’re open to later in the future.

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    What’s one unconventional thing about your relationship now that you’ve settled in Canada?

    Tolani: Our shared love for exploring thrift stores and flea markets. You’d never catch me doing that in Lagos, but we’ve found some treasures during our weekend trips to these shops here in Calgary.

    Enyinna: It’s true. Our closet is like a curated collection of quirky and vintage finds. It actually started by accident. We stumbled upon a small thrift store while exploring the neighbourhood several months after we moved in. Tolani was drawn to a vintage kimono in this open market, and we were shocked at how cheap it was.

    Tolani: Now, it’s become a ritual for us to spend at least one Saturday a month exploring thrift stores. One time, we found a very well-preserved Chanel bag. Another time, it was an old Polaroid camera that still worked. We’ve since used it to capture special moments in our new life in Canada.

    Enyinna: It’s not about just spending money, but saving on items that would ordinarily be expensive.

    We’ve also developed a tradition of cooking meals from different cultures every Sunday. It started as a way to embrace the diversity around us, and now, it’s something we look forward to each week.

    Tolani: It’s not as bougie as he makes it sound. 

    We pick a country, shop for the ingredients in our local supermarket, and try our hand at cooking their simplest dishes, like ramen or pastrami, stuff like that. Sometimes, it’s based on a place we’ve always wanted to visit. Other times, it’s completely random, or based on what grocery capsules are available at the store. 

    Enyinna: Our Indian neighbour, a very nice housewife, inspired us to do this. She offered to make us curry sauce in our first month in the apartment. She came into our kitchen with the ingredients to make it for us in our brand-new pots. The way she made cooking seem like such a therapeutic pastime rubbed off on us. 

    It’s also a way for us to learn more about each other’s tastes and preferences. We’ve discovered some cool dishes through this. We both love pepper, thanks to our Lagos upbringing, but now, we’ve gotten to appreciate sweet, sour and savoury.

    Can you tell us about your first major fight after moving to Canada?

    Enyinna: It’s a funny story now, but it felt like a big deal at the time. Our first major disagreement was about how to set up our new apartment.

    Tolani: We had different ideas about furniture placement, decor and all those seemingly little things. It was a clash of our individual styles.

    Enyinna: It started innocently enough. We were excited about decorating our new place, but when it came down to making decisions, we realised our tastes were different.

    Tolani: I wanted a cosy, eclectic vibe with lots of colours and patterns. Enyinna preferred a more minimalist and modern look. It took some compromise, that’s for sure. We had to find a middle ground that reflected both our styles.

    Enyinna: I remember how we spent hours debating the colour, style and size of the sofa. It became a symbol of our differing tastes. In the end, we found one we both liked, and now, we call it our “compromise piece”.

    Compromising on the aesthetics of our home was a small price to pay for the happiness of our relationship.

    Tolani: We also learnt to appreciate each other’s tastes more. Our home is now this unique blend of cosy and modern elements that represent both of us. It’s chaotic, sha. But it taught us that compromise is an essential part of any relationship. We had to find solutions that made both of us happy.

    Enyinna: And it’s okay to have different tastes. Our home reflects our individuality and the beauty of coming together.

    On a scale of 1 to 10, how would you rate your Love Life?

    Enyinna: I would say a solid 9. Our love life is thriving. We’ve overcome challenges, built a life together in a new country, and our connection continues to deepen.

    Tolani: I’m right there with Enyinna with a 9. We’ve created a strong foundation, and there’s so much love, laughter and shared dreams in our relationship. We talk about everything — our goals, fears and even the little things that make us happy. I feel very understood and close to him, and it’s the best feeling.

    A perfect 10 is an ongoing journey, and we’re excited to see where it leads.

    Check back every Thursday by 9 AM for new Love Life stories here. The stories will also be a part of the Ships newsletter, so sign up here.

    YOU WON’T BELIEVE THIS: Love Life: Her Boyfriend Punched Me in the Face

  • If there’s one thing we know for certain it’s Big Brother’s children have this love thing on lock. Every year, they walk into his house, and every year, they turn it into a knockoff of “Love Island”. While we hated to love their love in Biggie’s house, the big question is, “Did the ships last outside the house?”

    Angel and Soma

    Image credit: X.com

    We haven’t had a couple give these many cute moments, both in and outside the show, since the days of Kiddrica. We might’ve had a brief period when we all wondered if they were still together, but with their recent banter and PDA on Ebuka’s internet, these two have made it clear the Somgel ship is still sailing on smooth waters.

    Diane and Elozonam

    Image credit: X.com

    We won’t lie, Diane and Elozonam waltzed onto our screen in 2019 and melted our heats with their ship. Four years later, and they’re still cute AF on that ad Multichoice runs on the Africa Magic channels every five minutes. But don’t let their chemistry fool you, these two haven’t been together for a very long time.

    Bam Bam and Teddy A

    Image credit: talkglitzmedia

    We thought it was fate when Teddy A got evicted from Biggie’s house the night after Bam Bam left. Obviously, the universe agrees with us because not only have these two been married for five years now, they also have two beautiful daughters.

    Neo and Vee

    Image credit: bellanaija

    Yes, they fought over food every other day, but they loved each other in their own way. And for an entire year after the show, they made sure we knew the love was strong. Fast forward to 2023 though. It’s clear to see from the numerous ships Neo almost entered in Biggie’s All-Stars house — and Vee’s tweets during the season — that this ship has sunk to the bottom of the ocean and may never make it’s way back up.

    Erica and Kiddwaya

    Image credit: 36ng

    Kiddwaya and his Baby G had us all in a chokehold during the lockdown. Everyone had their TVs on the Big Brother channel, hoping to catch a glimpse of the couple sneaking a kiss or Erica enjoying the princess treatment. It didn’t end in the house. They got out, started making vlogs on their individual YouTube channels and had everyone scrambling to get a peek of them on the platform. We got a couple months under our belts before everything came to a screeching halt. 

    Bella and Sheggz

    Image credit: X.com

    A year after gracing our screens with their love, it’s safe to say the Ikoyis are going nowhere. They’ve taken every opportunity they can to show each other off and prove that Bella is still in love with her Sheggz and Sheggz is still in love with his Bella.

    Groovy and Phyna

    Image credit: everyevery.ng

    If you shipped Phyna and her bottles of Guinness, then quickly shifted when Groovy walked into the picture, we have some news for you. As cute as they were on our screen, and as much as we would’ve loved to see the on-again off-again couple blossom, they’re no longer together today.

    Venita and Adekunle

    Image credit: X.com

    No one knows what’s happening with Vendeks anymore. Sometimes, they’ll have a hype-off with Somgel, and other times, they ask not to be shipped. Are they still sailing. Are they just keeping their love sacred and away from the wandering eye of the public? We don’t know, but we wish this aesthetically-pleasing duo the best.

    Yvonne and Juicy Jay

    Image credit: X.com

    They’re from Big Brother Titans, Big Brother Naija’s half-brother, but we can’t deny that Yvonne and Juicy Jay gave us everything we could ask for in a ship. That’s why they’re on this list anyway. A slow burn romance that had us all wondering if they’ll ever make it, a first kiss that broke R&D Twitter. And now, a long-distance relationship that has us all cheesing every time we see them fly into each other’s home country for a brief moment of love.

    Khafi and Gedoni

    Image credit: BBC

    Big Brother should add “matchmaker” to his resume. Which other show can boast as many married couples as he’s produced. Khafi and Gedoni pushed their ship off shore in Biggie’s house, but with all the storms they faced, everyone just assumed the ship would crash once they stepped into the real world. They’ve been married for three years, and just like Bamteddy, they have two kids.

    Marvis and Efe

    Image credit: Ynaija

    They might’ve had an entire wedding ceremony in Biggie’s house, but shortly after sailing into the real world, this ship crashed and ended up at the bottom of the ocean.

    Miracle and Nina Ivy

    Image credit: famouspeoplemagazine

    Yes, Miracle was Nina’s everything in Big Brother’s house. And yes, we were all rooting for them, but obviously, fate had different plans as they’ve both started families with completely different people. They didn’t even last a day outside the house.

  • Break-ups happen. Suddenly, that person you couldn’t go a day without speaking to is grouped with the other mistakes of your past. It’s a tale as old as time.

    But how do you make a clean break without relapsing and torturing yourself with memories of the good ol’ days? That’s where we come in. Follow this guide carefully.

    First of all, throw “closure” away 

    Closure shouldn’t keep you from moving on from a broken relationship. Why do you need to go back to someone who broke your heart to ask them why they broke your heart? People will argue that it’s necessary, but all it does is make your emotions more fragile than they already are. Just accept the breakup has happened, no going back.

    Allow yourself to grieve

    One mistake we tend to make is to hurriedly pull ourselves together. This isn’t the Olympics, dear. They’re not catching latecomers. This was someone you imagined a future with. It’s okay to mourn the loss of that future. It’s better to grieve now than to be doing “What if?” three years later.

    Don’t lie to yourself

    Deep down, you know you can’t be just friends with this person, so respectfully decline if they come at you with any “We can still be friends” BS. Unless you can live with that. In that case, do you, boo.

    Declutter

    Removing their pictures from your social media isn’t immaturity. It’s self-preservation. What would you gain from staring at loved-up pictures from the past or re-reading those sweet texts? Throw everything away.

    Don’t be shy to block

    You might be tempted to stalk them on social media or read meaning into their posts. Save yourself the heartache and block or hide their profiles. And by block, I mean, don’t go sending messages to check on them either. They’ll be fine. You need to be fine too.

    Do things that bring you joy 

    This might sound cliché, but immerse yourself in the things that you enjoy. Go out and try out that hobby that’s been on your bucket list for the longest time. The more you fill your time with things you love, the less time you’ll have to mope about your love life, and the more likely you are to find a replacement.

    Talk to friends

    You’ll need an accountability partner for the days when you’re tempted to risk it all and call up your ex.

    Never forget the possibility of disgrace

    If you skip everything else, never forget the possibility of disgrace. The person who broke your heart once can break it again if you lose guard.


    NEXT READ: How to Make Your Partner’s Old Money Family Fall for You

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  • We’ve heard stories of married people flirting and cheating on their spouses. But what about stories from the “cheatees”?

    We spoke to six Nigerians who confessed to crushing on married people, and the responses got more than a little interesting.

    Image designed by Freepik

    Favour, 22

    A doctor lived in the same compound as I did in 2022. We just used to greet each other until we got talking — and lowkey, flirting — when I went to charge my devices in his flat one day. Two weeks later, he told me he was travelling for his wedding. I was confused — Did I imagine the flirting?

    He came about a week after with his new wife, and I stopped going to his flat, but we still chatted on WhatsApp. We mostly talked about each other’s day, movies and football. I knew I’d caught feelings when I started looking forward to his messages daily. I’m not sure his wife knew about it because, sometimes, we’d chat till midnight. We even sexted one cold night but never referred to it again.

    One day in December, I had a health scare, so I went to his flat to seek medical advice. His wife wasn’t home. One thing led to another, and we kissed. He apologised and avoided me after. He even stopped responding to my messages for a while, but I know he 100% wanted me too. He probably just felt guilty, so I gave him space. I moved out in January 2023 because of school, and by February, he was back in my DMs.

    Deola*, 27

    In 2020, this guy joined the company I used to work at. Let’s call him Dolapo. Dolapo was pretty popular in our industry as this talented creative who’d worked with some well-known people and companies in our industry, and we were all pretty excited to have him come work with us. 

    Then, he came and ended up being one of those diva creatives with an “artistic temperament” that’s really just laziness if you deep it. Anyway, he was fine (really tall and really dark), and I immediately started crushing on him, but we ended up clashing over work because he absolutely couldn’t meet deadlines. 

    At some point, I found out from his friend (a fellow co-worker) that he had commitment issues and had sworn never to get married. At first, I wondered why this guy told me this, but much later on, I found out that Dolapo liked me. Some weeks after, our company was organising an annual festival, so we had to lodge in a hotel for some days. 

    In the office on the day of the first night we would spend in the hotel, another co-worker basically implied (rather explicitly) that we can finally do the “deed” since we’d be spending nights in the same building. She immediately apologised, saying it just fell out of her mouth. 

    We did nothing during our stay, but then, he started sending me really sweet “talking stage” texts and an office fling started after the festival. Then I found out he had a girl’s photo as his Twitter profile image. It turned out he’d done his court wedding with this girl before he even joined the company, and their wedding pictures were all over the app. 

    Finding out he was married didn’t stop the fling. We continued making out in the office until he left the company and I left a couple months after. I knew it wouldn’t progress to anything. I wouldn’t have even wanted it to if he was unattached. I just liked how good he was at the performative romance and sex.

    Now, he just writes me poems and love letters. He’s since relocated to the US, but his wife was denied visa, so she’s still in Lagos.

    Deji*, 32

    I work long hours in healthcare, so I’m no stranger to workplace crushes. But there’s only ever been one with a married woman — she’s even my current crush.

    I was posted to my current workplace a couple of months ago, and I started working closely with this woman. We became fast friends because we have similar tastes in music and joked about the same things. She’s also really beautiful, and I soon started to fall for her.

    I know she’s married, but I think she likes me too. She confides in me and hardly talks about her husband. We greet each other with hugs, and colleagues even jokingly call us “husband and wife”. She also brings me home-cooked meals regularly. I want to make a move, but I’m concerned I might just be reading too much into it, and she’d get offended. But then, what if she’s waiting for me to make a move and is disappointed I haven’t shown interest yet?

    Esther*, 24

    I’ve always been attracted to married men. I think it’s mostly because I’m not interested in commitment myself, so dating married men is safer. At least, you both know marriage isn’t in the works, so no one is breaking anyone’s heart.

    I’ve dated two married men in my life, and I’m currently crushing on one. I know I can’t do more than crush because the person in question is my supervisor. He’s very handsome and kind, but he doesn’t seem like the type to have affairs, so my crush will most likely only ever be a crush.


    ALSO READ: These Are the Obvious Signs You’re in Love With Your Boss


    Jojo*, 26

    My pastor is married, but I’ve had a crush on him since I joined the church two years ago. He has this powerful aura about him that’s just difficult to resist. I’m too sure I’m not the only one crushing on him in the church. 

    It’s a harmless crush because, of course, I’ll never do anything about it. But I’ll confess I’ve fantasised about being with him more than once. If he was the kind of pastor who dates the ladies in church, I’d have fallen since. 

    Manuel, 28

    I had this huge crush on a fellow corps member in 2021. She was married, but I still find that surprising. Maybe there’s a way I expect married people to act, but she was loud and really free with everyone in camp, especially guys.

    We were in the same platoon, and we both volunteered in the kitchen, so we spent time together regularly. She knew I liked her — I didn’t hide it — and she’d jokingly say stuff like, “My husband can fight o. Can you?” 

    She was so free that till now, I can’t tell if she was flirting with me or just being her free self. Nothing happened between us, and we lost touch after camp, but I still randomly remember her.


    *Some names have been changed for anonymity.

    NEXT READ: “He Doesn’t Buy Me Stuff” — Nigerian Women on Earning More Than Their Partners

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  • Love Life is a Zikoko weekly series about love, relationships, situationships, entanglements and everything in between.

    How did you meet?

    Sammie: Through her boyfriend. 

    It was at a bar, and he’d just punched me in the face because, apparently, I’d touched her funnily. The only problem was I hadn’t even noticed her there until I found myself with a fist in my nose. I’d never been hit before, and I don’t now know how to fight. 

    When I finally saw the reason why I was punched, I recognised her from class. We were in the same department and had a couple of maths classes together. I just said sorry and went home. My nose was bleeding.

    Sharon: I didn’t see him clearly that night. But later on in the week, he came to meet me in class, said hi and introduced himself. The funny thing is I didn’t even realise my ex punched him. 

    I apologised, and he asked why I was dating that type of person. I didn’t know how to answer. I’d been with my ex for over a year, and he was much older than me — almost ten years older — so I was used to being secretive about him.

    Sammie: The guy was all wrong, and he knew it. That’s why he was overtly possessive with her. I didn’t like that. After I spoke with her, I told myself I’d do everything I could to separate her from that mess.

    What exactly did you do?

    Sammie: I got closer to her and some of her friends too. Then I found out that only one of them knew about the guy. It was this babe who wasn’t in our department. They went to the same secondary school and are family friends. I didn’t get to meet her until weeks after I’d gotten close to Sharon. 

    I found it off that her friends didn’t know about her boyfriend, so one day, while we were quietly finishing some work in class, I asked her about it. She smiled and said everybody didn’t have to know her business, but her eyes were shifty. 

    Then, she started avoiding me.

    Sharon: I wasn’t avoiding you. I just got busy because it was close to exams.

    Sammie: It was close to exams, but then, I noticed that the man would come to campus sometimes. He couldn’t enter school buildings, but he’d be on the grounds waiting for her. I think she didn’t want him to see her with any guy.

    So I started calling her at night because I was worried. I had a bad feeling about that man, and I became obsessed with finding out how they got together in the first place.

    Sharon: Sammie started calling every other night, and till today, we never go to bed without talking. 

    Before we got together though, he’d call and ask 1001 questions. He wanted to know how I met my ex, if I really liked him, if he was pressuring me or something. And after every reply, he’d tell me I might be in a toxic relationship. 

    After one of his calls, I just started crying.

    Sammie: From what she told me, he was a family friend who’d been in her life since she was a child, and I found that sus.

    Did you like her, or were you just concerned for her wellbeing?

    Sammie: Both. I liked her, but maybe that like came from how deeply I cared about her being all right.

    Sharon: I liked him. I’d noticed him in class long before we met at the bar. But at the time, I thought I’d be with my ex forever. I never consciously made that decision; I just accepted it. But when we started talking, and Sammie questioned things I never thought to question, I knew I wanted to be with him and not my ex.

    Sammie: So I encouraged her to ghost the guy. She blocked him and all the people who knew about their relationship, then came to me in class one day to tell me she’d done it. I was so happy for her and for us. 

    Our only opp was that one friend who knew about her ex and actually supported that mess.

    Sharon: We ended up spending the first several weeks of our relationship dodging my ex on and off campus and dodging the girl in school buildings. It felt like I was dealing with stalkers and that affected my mental health to the extent that I started having anxiety attacks. 

    If you want to share your own Love Life story, fill out this form.

    How did you deal with the attacks?

    Sharon: It was a huge struggle during exams. I felt like I was running mad with paranoia. Once exams were over, I didn’t go home. I begged my parents to let me go visit my grandparents in another state. That helped me calm down a bit. 

    Sammie: Throughout that holiday, we didn’t get to see or speak because she went completely off the radar. But then, I knew she needed the break.

    Sharon: Then my parents called about my results. We checked and found out I didn’t do well at all. I had about three Fs. When they asked what happened, I told them I was struggling to cope with the harsh environment at school. They pulled me out of the federal university and put me in a private one. 

    I had to start over in a new programme, but that move helped me stay sane. The only other downside was separating from Sammie — which is where the nightly calls came in. He also visits at least once a semester, and we meet up during the holiday.

    Sammie: Meanwhile, her ex started harassing me in school, thanks to her fake friend. One time, he sent boys to beat me. Maybe I’d have died if people weren’t there to protect me.

    Was it a good idea to get right into a new relationship? 

    Sharon: I don’t know. We just did it because we liked each other.

    Sammie: I really like and care about her, so I want to be there for her. Also, I don’t think I’ll meet another person who cares so passionately about pure maths.

    Sharon: When we first started talking in class, we’d have this back-and-forth about the point of maths. He thought the only useful thing about it was basic arithmetic operations. You know, addition, subtraction, multiplication? So you can deal with making and spending money. I’d try to convince him how myopic he was.

    Sammie: She introduced me to something called “mathematical logic”, and since then, I’ve been convinced this babe is a closet genius. I still think it’s made up shit, but the way she talks about how you can use maths to prove things like common sense and legal fact, made me feel like she was about to start controlling my mind.

    Sharon: It’s how artificial intelligence will control our minds eventually, TBH. AI was built on algorithms and computation. Mathematical logic was the framework for AI algorithms. Maths is everything. Money-making only scratches the surface of it.

    [ad]

    Okay

    Sammie: This is it. This is why I couldn’t have her wasting away with that predator man. This woman is going to change the world. And I’ll be right behind her as her assistant oga.

    Sharon: Screaming. I just want to get through today.

    Sammie: Anytime she talks like that, at first, I think, “This girl is mad”. Then it’s, “I’m in love with you”. No one’s ever challenged me to be smarter before. 

    She’s studying computer science now, instead of industrial maths, so I really believe she’ll develop something mind-blowing soon. You guys should just watch out.

    What’s your relationship dynamic like now, given the long distance?

    Sammie: Sometimes, I look back, and I can’t believe it’s been two years already.

    Sharon: I think we’re going strong. We’re still young and basking in that. 

    But I love how seriously we take ourselves. We made a pact that if we don’t end up together like something happens and we drift apart or hate each other and decide we can’t be married, we’d just kill ourselves and die together.

    Sammie: We did a whole-ass written document and signed it even. We each have a copy.

    Sharon: We absolutely have to end up together. I don’t want to move on from him. We can’t wait to be done with school so we can move in together. No kids for a while, of course, but we definitely want to navigate adulthood together from the get-go.

    Does anyone know about this death pact, please?

    Sharon: The only people who do are scared to shit. Mostly my friends. They think our relationship is toxic because they haven’t really met and gotten to know him yet. 

    They just don’t have a sense of humour. We’re being dramatic obviously. When we said the words, “I love you” to each other for the first time, I asked how can we make this absolutely true? How can we be certain we’re serious? 

    It was either this or a blood covenant. 

    Sammie: I chose the death pact for obvious reasons. I’m still very much a child of my very religious Igbo mother — who must never hear of the death pact either.

    Sharon: Maybe we should call off the death pact? It was too crazy, wasn’t it? I’m sorry.

    Sammie: I suggested it, so it’s not like I’m not in on the craze.

    What was your first major fight about?

    Sammie: Weed. She took an edible for the first time and had a bad high. 

    She was angry with me for no identifiable reason. On top of that, we were outside, and she was freaking out that her boyfriend at the time would see us together. The way she was so scared, shaking and sweating, made me know the relationship couldn’t be healthy.

    Sharon: I don’t even remember that night.

    Sammie: We don’t really fight. There’s no time or space to, between school and the distance.

    Does it ever get tiring, having to call every night to keep the relationship alive?

    Sharon: No! It’s something I look forward to my whole day. It makes everything I do worth it because I know I’ll get to my room and talk to Sammie about it all. He’s my best friend, and our calls are everything to me.

    Sammie: Oh, same. 

    No matter how tired I am. No matter how late it gets. I can’t wait to be done with everything so I can hear her voice. When I’m in a bad mood, our calls make me feel better. When I’m in a great mood, I want to share the joy with her. 

    It’s like delayed gratification at this point because half the time, I want to call or text her mundane things every second of every day.

    Sharon: At first, I was scared we’d run out of things to say. You know how when you stop being in the same space and experiencing the same things as someone, you realise you have nothing else in common? Yeah, that never happened. And I’m so excited because we’re always interested in everything happening in each other’s worlds. And when there’s no gist, we can talk about movies and celebrities.

    Sammie: And maths.

    Sharon: And maths. Haha.

    How would you rate your Love Life on a scale of 1 to 10?

    Sammie: 9. Let graduation come first. 

    But on the other hand, I’m scared that “real” life will find a way to destroy us.

    Sharon: 10. That’s what the death pact is for.

    Check back every Thursday by 9 AM for new Love Life stories here. The stories will also be a part of the Ships newsletter, so sign up here.

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