Sifiso’s side of the story ❤️
Chidera stalked me! 🤣🤣 Just kidding! (Although, there is quite a lot that happened behind the scenes.) But yes, from my end, our story began at our SFC winter camp in 2023, held in Sochi.
He was my tribe leader during the camp, and he was very professional. He barely spoke to me unless it was related to camp activities. However, the first time I saw him, I remember looking at him and thinking, “Hmm, I like his smile…” 🫠
After the camp, he checked up on me, just as a responsible tribe leader would. We would talk occasionally, but at that point, I honestly wasn't sure whether he liked me or not. 😂
The camp took place in February, but we only started talking consistently in May. He lived in Crimea, while I lived in Ryazan, so most of our communication was through chats. Over the following months, we developed a really solid friendship, gradually getting to know each other and growing closer.
During that time, I prayed and asked God that if Chidera wasn't the man He had for me, He would allow our friendship to remain just that—a friendship—and not develop into anything more. I prayed this prayer several times, and each time, I felt an overwhelming sense of peace in my heart. ❤️
Eventually, in September 2023, he asked me to be his girlfriend. 🥹❤️
And here we are today, preparing to spend the rest of our lives together! What began with a smile in Sochi and blossomed into a beautiful friendship has become a love story we get to call our own. And honestly, I wouldn't have it any other way. 🥰💍
Chidera’s side of the story ❤️
It all began in 2022, when I was invited to a Student for Christ (SFC) camp. I knew absolutely nothing about the camp, so, naturally, I decided to do some research on YouTube. While browsing, I stumbled upon a worship ministration from SFC Ryazan. There she was, ministering. I remember looking at her and saying to myself, “She looks so beautiful, and she sings so well.” Little did I know that this beautiful girl would one day become my wife.
I travelled to Kursk for the camp, and, in what seemed like a coincidence, my friend introduced me to her. We exchanged pleasantries, and that was pretty much it. Our paths didn’t cross again until the end of the conference, after which I returned to my city.
However, the story didn’t end there. I followed her on Instagram, and thankfully, she followed me back. 😏
Now, I had to be strategic. I conducted some background checks through my friend in Ryazan. The findings? She was single, and the feedback on her character was excellent. Everything was looking promising! So, I decided to play the long game and patiently wait until we could meet physically the following year.
As January 2023 approached, the next SFC Winter Camp was drawing closer. This time, I decided to become a tribe leader (my SFC folks understand). With twelve tribes and absolutely no guarantee that she would be assigned to mine, I knew I needed some divine intervention. So, I consulted the highest authority. I literally prayed to God that she would be in my tribe.
And God? He delivered the BIGGEST assist ever! Lo and behold, she was assigned to my tribe. 🙌🏽
I had two other co-tribe leaders, but when it came to reaching out to the tribe members before camp, I intentionally selected her number. The game plan was slowly unfolding.
Finally, SFC Winter Camp 2023 arrived, and we were reintroduced. I had to maintain my professionalism, of course. I couldn’t just expose the entire game plan! 😂 But behind the scenes, I was carefully looking out for signs, trying to figure out whether she was feeling the boy too.
We talked, worked together, and interacted as tribe members. Everything was seemingly normal, nothing out of the ordinary. But for me, there was something special about her.
After the camp, I returned to my city and reached out to check if she had arrived safely. We began talking, although I was initially a little inconsistent. This was intentional, as I wanted to avoid mistaking the post-camp emotional rush for something deeper.
By May 2023, our conversations had become consistent, and I began discovering the incredible person behind the beautiful face. She turned out to be the sweetest, kindest, most supportive person I had ever known. The more I got to know her, the more certain I became that she was someone truly special.
And then came September 7th, 2023, the day we officially began our relationship.
So began the love story that God had been writing all along. ❤️
