Peter: " I joined Liberty Christian Fellowship in August 2007 where I met Benita who had been going to Liberty from a young age. Although we crossed paths, we didn't really know each other for a few years. Some time from around 2010 I began talking with Benita as I knew the family pretty well, I remember thinking to myself this girl is special, she's something for sure, not realising I was having feelings for her.
Benita: " I had been attending a church called Liberty Christian fellowship, pretty much all my life. Peter then later on joined in 2007. I didn't really notice him at the beginning then over time he just became that guy everybody loved to be around, still again I did not pay him much attention ha, I was drinking water and minding my business. Low and behold, Peter had noticed me."
In all seriousness, I thought to myself let me get to know this Peter guy that everyone loves. I couldn't tell you how our first conversation went but we eventually spoke and became great friends"
Peter: We used to message a lot and I didn't even realise how bad it was until you look back or even tell the story to someone. It was so obvious that there are feelings for days yet at the moment it was just normal day to day. It was so easy with Benita, the conversations we would have on a daily basis were like talking to a friend, a brother and partner all at the same time. She's incredible, her passion, tenacity, patience, her heart are some of the many things that really made me say things like 'if my wife has these attributes, then I am sorted for life lol'. I would even say things like the man marrying her is going to be so happy and will not need much more in life!' Now imagine i'm thinking this for another man, was I stupid or crazy? The answer is yes! Lol.
So strange to think that although we were so close, labelling this as a relationship wasn't something we wanted to come out with so quick because without actually communicating this, we both didn't know how the other person truly felt. You can't play with a woman's emotions like that and say things willy nilly or off the cuff.
2011 was the moment when I realised I was actually in love with Benita. This was the year she didn't attend our church's annual Youth Camp, but we couldn't stop messaging each other and I couldn't wait to see her once Youth Camp was finished, the longest week in my life lol. After this Youth Camp I realised how much I genuinely missed her and not seeing her for a week was way too long for me (bare in mind I would see her at least once a week on a Sunday and the occasional Friday night services). We met once after Youth Camp and totally enjoyed each others company and I was convinced this is the woman I wanted to be with the rest of my life.
Benita: "Me and Peter's friendship grew daily, we messaged almost every day, not even realising that this was more than just a friendship. I would look forward to just talking and spending time with him. I wouldn't say that I was clueless to Peter's feelings towards me, however I was afraid of taking a huge step towards a committed relationship because it would have been my first. From a young age one thing I had always prayed about was that God would save me from having to go through many fish in the sea and bring me the one to save me from heartbreaks. I had heard stories and watched movies and it looked like the norm, so I needed to be sure and do things differently.
The truth is God never came to me audibly saying Peter was my husband or gave me a dream, seeing as this was the common way most Christian couples got their confirmation. I expected the same. I was very hesitant to move forward with my relationship with Peter as I was waiting for an answer. In that time of waiting I went through lessons with God. He always does have other plans aye?
Without getting into so much detail, because it’ll turn into a blog post at this point. I was eventually led into making my decision to take things further with Peter. Not only did God bring things to my attention, he used community. Friends around me who confirmed it.
Peter: "I've always wanted to propose to Benita for the longest time and sometimes I had excuses, mainly financially however we were together at a very young age and so I wanted to respect the fact that we are still growing and not knowing fully who we were as individuals. We had moments along our journey where we needed time to think and grow and ask ourselves is this what we really want? Is God with us? Once I got out of my own head I went for it, I asked for her father's blessing and I booked a flight for Benita and I to go to the United States of America.
I remember the moment when I spoke to my aunty in America and asked whether it would be okay if I brought Benita with me to propose in the Nation's Capital. I was extremely nervous, right up to the day, waiting for almost 4 hours to pop the question, waiting for things to be just right. When I got down on one knee, it was the first minute of the rest of our lives together and although I knew we loved each other, hearing her say yes was the greatest moment in my life. I wish I could replay this moment over and over and over again.
Ps. Babe, if you are ready this, I'm sorry I took so long. We were always ready but maybe we didn't know we were.
Benita: " We had been together for a while now but I was never that girl to ask when or push for a proposal, I'd like to think so anyway (Cheeky smile). We had conversations about marriage, and they became pretty frequent ha. Come on, a sister had to drop a few hints from time to time. I'd sometimes think about possible moments when it would be the day and of course, I was never right so I eventually decided to let gooo and let Godddd.
One day Peter said we're going to America to meet my Aunty and Uncle, Now me whose intuition is always on 100, did not once think about it... could this be the day... I'm flying out of the country with a whole "boyfriend"... in which Ugandan household, please? this surely was a sign, no?. A couple of days after meeting his family, we visited the Capitol Building for the day, took pictures with family and friends with a professional photographer (sign two), but I still didn't think much of it. We then got to the Washington Monument.....when I say I never expectedittt, I never EXPECTEDIT. Peter proposed and said some stuff, and I said yes, lol. Woop!
On Saturday 31st July 2021, Benita and Peter celebrated their traditional wedding Ugandan style
This was the moment when Benita's family accepted Peter and his family to become united together.