Together for 44 years and more in love than ever

Giving each other presents and celebrating Valentine’s Day with pomp means nothing if your relationship has no solid foundations and if you can’t nurture your love. Reverend Kuyeli and his wife Elina, who say they know nothing about Valentine’s Day, share the formula they have used to keep their love burning for 44 years.

In Reverend Frank Kuyeli and his wife Elina have been together for 44 years. They say in all this time, an uncle has never come to their house to settle a dispute. This is because, before they tied the knot, they agreed that they would be each other’s counsellors, let Jesus be their mediator and take time to listen to each other’s concerns.

Elina says the secret to the success of their marriage has been communication, unconditional love and making time for each other. She says as husband and wife, they usually sit down and reminisce on the old days which results in their falling in love all over again every single day.

“Sometimes, my husband will ask me why I accepted his advances. We talk, laugh and sing hymns together. This is because we enjoy each other’s company. My husband is my friend. We do everything together.  When I am sick, he is there to take care of me and when he is sick, I am there. We became one the moment we were pronounced husband and wife, says Elina.”

Frank points out that love is a two-way street. You always have to keep left because if you chose to go onto the other lane, a head-on collision is bound to happen. He advises young couples to keep away from marrying each other out of material love because when the materials run out, that marriage will not last.

“When I met my wife in 1966, she was one of the people conducting the population census of that year and I was the supervisor. A year later, we got married on and had our first child. At the time we got married, I had nothing and neither did she. We loved each other for the people that we were and still appreciate so much about each other.

“Marriage is a source of happiness, not pain. But the biggest secret of all is to ask God for a spouse that will be most suitable for you. Go to God empty-handed and he will find someone that will best complement your character,” advises Frank.