THE bonds of matrimony are like any other bonds because they mature slowly; marrying for love may be a bit risky, but it is so honest that God can’t help but smile on it.

According to Pa Philip Kolawole Osineye and his wife, Mama Eunice Atinuke Osineye, 90 and 82 respectively, love seems the swiftest, but it is also the slowest of all growths, as no man or woman really knows what perfect love is until they have been married for about a quarter of a century.

  The nonagenarian who, with his better half, attained the diamond age in their married life told the story of their love and marital lives, noting that the best kind of love available in life is that attained in the family as God who is referred to as the foundation of love, is in support of the affection, feelings, trust, care and love marriage brings forth.

  According to the couple, there is so much of joy and fulfillment in the love of husband and wife compared to the new generation acclaimed girlfriend and boyfriend who are only deceived by lust and what they see.

  “Today, the love we hear is built on sex, which was never God’s plan for man whom he created in his own image and likeness. Our younger ones are now more interested in one-day enjoyment of valentine, failing to understand the main meaning of love, and what the word valentine actually stands for. Boys are now very frivolous and disconnected from the ethical norms of our days.

   “Our youths should be discipline because home education and morals are very important to the growth of our society. Parents also have a lot to do in moulding their wards who are the fountain of our society, as discipline and right morals are very necessary in life of every man and woman.

  “During our youthful days, our parents introduced orderliness in their families. They inculcated family discipline in every department. They made sure that their children walk in the right path. Our parents taught us to be contented with what we have, never to eye what our relatives or friends have. We were not allowed to imitate false influences, no matter how attractive they might be. They imbibed in us the need to serve the society, not expecting any reward, and these virtues kept our family intact,” he said.

  Pa Kolawole, was a teacher for 39 years before retiring at the National College, Gbagada. “We never thought of being together, though I went to their house everyday to study with her elder brother who was a very good friend of mine but was too scared to say anything to her except greetings because her father was a disciplinarian who loved his daughter so much.

  “He welcomed me to his house with free heart as I was a very good friend of the family. He loved me for the fact that he saw me as a dedicated and hardworking young man who usually come to read and study with his son. So while he was not allowing any young man into their house because of his daughter, for me there was no query, all in the name of being a book-minded person.

  “We got to know each other very slowly, it took me a while before I formally started talking to her. How we fell in love is a story that I cannot tell, God has been the one that has put us together.

  “If life gives a second opportunity and I come back after this journey, it would be my fervent wish to get married to Mama Atinuke for a second time,” he reiterated.

   Describing his 60-year-old life partner, he noted that she is a kind, loving and caring wife, an embodiment of all that is ideal. She is too fond of me. She is reliable, trustworthy, obedient, submissive and tolerant.

  “She is a super wife, a super mum and a super grandmother. I think the most important thing for a long marriage is that whilst you may have arguments, you have to have tolerance.”

  The pair have seven children and 13 grandchildren. And for this, they just couldn’t be happier. “I always think we are blessed and very lucky,” Kolawole said. “We have a very loving family. We have never wanted anything more. We have never wanted to be separated and we are content with what we have got. We are not jealous of anybody. We are so privileged to be together.”

   According to Mama Eunice Atinuke Osineye, she is the envy of everybody who knows them. “I was so lucky to have met him when I did.”

  To her, the best times she had with her husband were the great periods she sat watching him play and take care of the children.

   He is a tough, harsh, disciplined, understanding and yet very apologetic person and that’s why I love him. He is very caring and doesn’t joke with his children.

  “I want to thank God that today we are celebrating our 60th wedding anniversary. God has taught me so many things in these past years, amongst which is the fact that there are some blessings that comes with marriage. The truth is that God put some gifts in me but I had to wait until I got married to realize them. Marriage also comes with trials but we should always know that we are fighting from the victory point as every battle has been won before it presents itself. 

  She advised young couples to imbibe the spirit of love, tolerance and patience as the secret to a long lasting marriage life.