Anniversary Blog!

A special blog to celebrate our wedding anniversary 🎉

“He has made everything beautiful in its time.” – Ecclesiastes 3: 11

This time three years ago we celebrated our marriage, love and covenant before God with friends, family and loved ones!

This year felt so special. Growing in love takes work and intention, patience and kindness, prayer and commitment. But even before you get to that stage, for many finding the spouse that you decide to covenant with can be a journey in itself!

As a single woman, although I know of happy couples who have found love and marriage via the online dating route, I was not quite comfortable with meeting potentials in that way. I didn’t mind however, events that were designed for singles to socialise and get to know new people. But even in these spaces, some of the experiences I share with the friends who have attended such events, were quite frankly hilarious. To detail each one I think I’d need a vlog not a blog, but I’ll mentioned one that has me giggling and cringing at the memory all at the same time.

About four of us attended a “Christian” speed dating event on one occasion. The goal from what I understand, is to rotate the conversations so that all the ladies have a chance to speak to all the men at the event. I recall having about five minutes or so to speak to each guy in attendance. Once the organiser started her timer, the speed dating commenced! The time allotted did not give room for conversation deeper than the pleasantries. But what I did not expect was to have a man sit in front of me overtly intoxicated with alcohol, with glazed eye balls talking about he is speed dating? Safe to say I had decided, No thank you. Not for me.

“For My Thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” says the LORD. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts.” – Isaiah 55: 8,9

In life we change, we grow, we mature, and we realise that there is often no set formula to how we meet our spouses. Every couple is different. I was introduced to my husband by a mutual friend at a time when I really wasn’t expecting to be in a relationship. I had experienced dating and due to unmet expectations when I was told about Mark I was sceptical and reserved.

Even with that thinking, I still did not expect that 6 months from the beginning of my conversations with Mark, we would be engaged. 2016 surely took me by surprise. That is what I love about God. His ways are a mystery, and he was teaching me about the process. All my past heartbreaks and disappointments prepared me for the moment I would connect with Mark.

To the end that my glory may sing praise to You and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give thanks to You forever.” – Psalm 30: 12

There were definitely standards and similarities that for me were primary essentials in us moving forward as a couple, such as; our Christian faith. Yet we share many differences, like our cultural background (Ghanaian/Jamaican/British) and personality traits (Ambiverted/ Introverted) that cement, balance, add spice to our union and help us to enjoy each others world and perspective. For example, I don’t like heights, but Mark seems to?? I first knew this when I asked him to arrange a video shoot for one of my songs in Ghana. I thought I was going to shoot a simple performance shot with a nice scenic location, not knowing that Mark has a vision for me to be at the top of a lighthouse in James Town, Ghana. Due to how heights make feel giddy, I would never think to do this. But he held my hand and I did.

So fast forward to our anniversary 2020, I asked Mark what he was thinking for us to do, and he mentioned The SHARD in London. Heights again??? Yes. In his artistic mind, we should not be afraid to go higher because when we do, our perspective changes. And truly when you stand in The Shard and look over London, you see the vastness of the city in a different way.

Annually around this time of year I browse the Virgin Experience Day website to see if there are any deals and yes there was one that included a visit to The Shard! Not only do I like this page for anniversary days out, but they do a variety of different experience day packages like spa, dinner dates and tourist attractions that could have you saving on the pounds you would otherwise spend. Mark and I have utilised quite a few. If you want to have a browse and get a discount here is a code

Travelling to The Shard was quite easy, about two minutes away from London Bridge station. Before that visit, we went for a light lunch at Gaucho Restaurant. This was part of the package.

The lunch that we had was definitely light. So if you were accustomed to the usual Gaucho menu, this was not offered on the experience package. A separate lunch was offered based on a different menu. The flagship Restaurant in Piccadilly is not far from The Shard on the Jubilee line. We enjoyed the decor, friendly service and chilled environment. The dessert of sticky toffee pudding and caramel amaretto ice cream was the star of the three courses in my view.

It was nice to experience panoramic views of London city whilst you order drinks, cocktails, coffees or cakes from the bars. Seating is limited on a first come first serve basis however. But there are also offices and restaurants that you can explore.

In the busy-ness of life, spending special moments and quality time with your spouse celebrates love, builds memories and revives passion. Three years ago, two days after the wedding, we were off on our honeymoon in Dubai. The friend’s that sung for me as I walked down the isle, are the friends that advised me to make sure that in all the wedding planning, we keep our honeymoon budget as a priority. They told me that after all the wedding stress, as newlyweds you just need to jump on the plane and go! Leave everything and everyone behind and get the rest, relaxation and focus that you need. They were so right! I was thinking Barbados, but Mark suggested Dubai. Sunshine, beach and lavish surroundings. Perfect. We did a holiday break to Rome for one anniversary which was great, but in this current pandemic year, I’m less confident about travelling abroad with restrictions changing from week to week. This year we took the tube into London. The sun shone, we had a lovely day but most importantly we were together for another year.

We are excited and thankful for our journey so far. when we first got married we had no idea what we would have experienced and we do not know what is to come. But we centre our focus on God and how we can honour and glorify Christ through our union. Thank you once again for taking the time to read! Feel free to like, comment and share your dating, wedding and anniversary story. Would love to hear it. Here are some highlights from our white wedding!

• Wedding photography by Carla Thomas
• Videography by Tim Hilario
• Love for me single
• Experience day Discount