To Folu and Olamide, here’s to love, life, and an eternity of happiness.

Here is a toast that I wrote and gave at the wedding of my dear friend Folu and his lovely wife Olamide.

Ladies and Gentlemen, if I could kindly request your attention, please. I would like to begin with a heartfelt quote by the great Persian poet, Rumi:

“The minute I heard my first love story, I started looking for you, not knowing how blind that was. Lovers don’t finally meet somewhere. They’re in each other all along.”

In such simple words, Rumi has beautifully captured the essence of love — a force so profound that it connects souls even before they’ve met. As we gather here to celebrate the union of Folu and Olamide, we are witnesses to such a love story, one that echoes the timeless wisdom of Rumi.

Folu and I first met on the picturesque campus of Bowen University, a place where the seeds of many lifelong friendships are sown. Ours was one such friendship, which took root in those early days of our undergraduate years. As green as the surrounding landscape, we navigated the labyrinth of lectures, exams, and dorm life, sharing experiences that would form the bedrock of our lasting bond.

Over the years, our paths have diverged and converged, but the connection has remained, a testament to Folu’s unchanging nature. Folu, the calm amidst the storm, a steady beacon of strength, has always been a source of wisdom and tranquility in my life. His composed demeanor, far from concealing, reflects the depth of his character, the warmth of his heart.

Now, as we stand here on this momentous occasion, it’s not merely the story of a single friendship that we celebrate. It’s the story of love, the most powerful force in the universe. Love, in its truest form, as seen in the bond between Folu and Olamide. Look at them, radiant, their eyes sparkling with unspoken words, promises, dreams… It is clear that they have found in each other what Rumi talks about. They are, and always have been, in each other.

Our memories of Bowen University are not merely punctuated by shared academic journeys. It was there, amidst lecture halls and study rooms, that the seeds of another story were sown, a story that would grow into a saga of enduring love. It was during those transformative years that Folu and Olamide found each other. Their connection, much like the bond between Rumi’s lovers, was profound, instinctive. They were indeed in each other all along, and the university merely provided the backdrop for their hearts to recognize each other.

Theirs is not a fleeting infatuation that bloomed and faded as quickly as spring blossoms. Instead, it is a love that has thrived and flourished, a love that has matured like a fine wine, getting better and richer with every passing year. When I first heard of their relationship back in 2015, I was deeply touched by the sweetness of their bond. Now, eight years later, the sweetness has only magnified, evolving into something even more beautiful, even more profound.

Olamide, your entrance into Folu’s life has been like the dawn of a beautiful day. The warmth of your love has touched Folu, filled him, changed him. He is more himself now than he ever was. Your laughter is his music, your happiness his goal. It is heartwarming to see how love has enhanced Folu, how he has embraced it, how he has grown with it.

Yet, love, as we all know, isn’t just the delightful moments and shared laughter. It is also the strength to overcome obstacles, the courage to face adversities together. It is the knowledge that there is someone by your side, someone who will stand by you, come what may. I am confident that Folu and Olamide, as they journey together, will find such love in their relationship, a love that enriches, strengthens, and endures.

Dear friends, love is not just an emotion, it is an experience, it is a journey. It is about growing together, learning together, and sometimes, even crying together. It is about building a life, brick by brick, memory by memory, imbued with shared dreams and hopes.

Today, as we raise our glasses to toast Folu and Olamide, let’s not just toast their present, their glowing love, but also their future, a future built on this love. Let’s toast to the beautiful moments they will create, the bonds they will forge, the strength they will find in each other.

To the beautiful couple, may your love be like a shining star, brightening even the darkest of times. May your journey together be full of joy and happiness, filled with moments that you’ll cherish forever. May your bond grow stronger with each passing day, and may your life be filled with love, laughter and contentment.

And as you grow together, may you find in each other a harbor of peace, a source of joy, and a wellspring of laughter. Love is a beautiful journey, a pathway adorned with the blossoms of companionship, understanding, and mutual respect. It’s a journey of exploration, of learning more about your partner with each passing day, of unwrapping the layers of their personality, of falling in love with them, again and again.

It is my sincerest hope and prayer that the love story of Folu and Olamide becomes a testament to such a love, a love that transcends boundaries, a love that deepens with time, a love that inspires.

Remember, life will not always be a smooth ride. There will be times when the storm clouds gather, when the road becomes bumpy. But let these challenging times not deter you, but rather, strengthen your resolve. For it is during these times that the bonds of love are tested, and ultimately, fortified.

May your life together be an eternal spring, may it be filled with shared joy, mutual respect, and endless love. May your home be filled with warmth, may it resonate with laughter, may it shine with the light of love.

And as you step into this new chapter of your life, remember the words of Rumi, and hold them close to your heart. For you were always in each other, waiting for this beautiful moment of recognition, of unity, of love.

To the wonderful couple, Folu and Olamide, as we raise our glasses, we don’t just toast for today. We toast to yesterday, for all the paths that led you to each other. We toast to tomorrow, for the journey that lies ahead. But most importantly, we toast to forever, for the timeless love story that you will continue to write together.

To Folu and Olamide, here’s to love, life, and an eternity of happiness.

To Folu and Olamide, cheers!