Ayo & Ronke Ayo-Adio:
Beating Hearts 💕 @ 15

We met at the New Covenant Church, Agodi Centre. She was in the ushers’ team, and I was in the ushers’ team as well, contrary to what she said—that I wasn’t a serious person in the team. That particular day, you were not functioning, you weren’t working, and you did not speak. So, I was in school during that period, so I wasn’t your very functional every-Sunday usher. But not that I wasn’t a functional person; it was just because I was in school, so I only came home during the holidays. That’s when I could function.

So, that’s what she meant by “functional.” Just to clear that up. I had seen her around before, but I think we were just friends. Even before we became closer, we were just on the same team, and everyone did their tasks. But when we had a project to work on together, that’s when we really started talking.

It was at the end of a presentation, and we needed a lady to join the cast. She was approached by a leader to work with me, and we did the presentation together. It went well, and we started talking more. However, I didn’t really place her in my mind; it was just a normal acquaintance at that point.

Then, in January 2004, I was praying at the beginning of the year. I told God I wanted a relationship—a relationship with a lady from a decent family, well-brought-up, who loves God, is lovely, and is great to be with. I told God everything I wanted. In April, I saw her, and it was as if I was seeing her for the first time. God brought to mind everything I had prayed for, and it became clear that she was the person.

In April that year, I spoke to her. I told her I wanted to spend the rest of my life with her. Of course, I’m not the typical kneel-down-with-a-ring person. I simply spoke to her and shared what was on my heart. She said she would think about it.

She took her time—really took her time to think—and in October 2004, she said yes. It was exciting, and I was very happy. I remember that before I spoke to her in April, I thought a message, “What if you could bring sunshine into a man’s life?” That message was a precursor to what I was going to ask her about.

So, in October, she agreed to join me on this journey. On September 19, 2009, we got married. It was a great day for me. I thank God that He honored us and aligned my steps with this wonderful woman—a lovely child of God, well-brought-up. We began our journey, and as you can see, God has been faithful over the years.

We’ve grown stronger and better. We’ve gone through thick and thin. We’ve had times of pain, times of crying, and moments where we questioned if we were still on the right path. But we lived in the consciousness of what God can do with us and through us, and that has been our strength.

I have a strong, passionate, hardworking, committed, faithful, and believing wife and mother. That’s the truth. Yes, we may disagree on things sometimes, but that’s normal, right? Everything must be worked out. In it all, it’s been an interesting journey.

I am proud any day, anytime, anywhere to showcase my wife. Today, as we celebrate 15 remarkable years together, I can say she’s been the same person but a different evolution over time, from moment to moment. What a great heart I married.

So, thank you, Aderonke Ayo-Adio, for agreeing to join me on this journey. I also want to say thank you for embracing my name, not just as Adio, but as Aderonke Ayo Adio—taking on my first name too. It’s a personalized surname.

Thank you to this wonderful lady for joining me on this journey. Here’s to 15 years and many more under God’s grace and favor. I look forward to more graceful moments.

On behalf of Alfie and Amanda, we say thank you for being such a great mom and woman. We look forward to more interesting times ahead, filled with God’s blessings.

Thank you.

I am proud, happy, and blessed to have Ayodele Adio as my husband, and that’s the sincere truth.

Like I told him this morning, he has proven the world wrong. What I mean by that is, you know there’s this notion people have that men are a certain way—”men are scum”, distant, or unemotional—but he’s been an exception.

And that’s what Christ can do in the life of a man. In the life of a person, there will be a change, and it is evident.

God has been good, and I’m glad I said yes when I did 15 years ago. I pray that nothing will come between us. Nothing will separate us.

We will have many more years to spend together in good health, peace, love, and joy. Our children and grandchildren—if Jesus tarries—will surround our table, and we’ll be blessed in every way and be a blessing to many. In Jesus’ name.

Thank you.