Tag: Love

Constant Craving

Written by David B on . Posted in Blog.

Ifama: Good evening, David. Are you free to chat?

David Bondze-Mbir (DBM): Greetings! How are you doing?

Ifama: Not so great

DBM: Why not?

Ifama: It’s a long story.

DBM: Let’s make it a bit short, can we?

Ifama: Yes. Please post me anonymously

DBM: I will

Ifama: I’ve been playing the field, and I am still confused because I don’t know what I want.

DBM: Playing the field as in?

Ifama: In a relationship with two people at the same time.

DBM: They know you’re dating them both?

Ifama: No

DBM: Are you being intimate with both?

Ifama: Yes

DBM: What do you want out of these relationships?

Ifama: What every woman wants

DBM: And, that is?

Ifama: For my needs to be met

DBM: What does Relationship A add to your life?

Ifama: Love. He is so in love with me. He has the financial means and is very protective of his money and assets. He sees me as an asset in his heart and has given me access to his wealth. I am not just a pretty face, Dave, I match his intellectual aspirations. He knows I am an independent, hardworking woman and can take care of myself but he doesn’t want me to. He wants to be the only one to take care of me.

DBM: What does Relationship B add to your life?

Ifama: She respects me a lot. She acknowledges and honors my accomplishments. She respects my opinions and viewpoints. My suggestions and input on everything are welcomed. I don’t feel overlooked or taken for granted, Dave. I am seen and valued. Unlike my other situationship, her actions towards me and our relationship does not send different signals or communicate different messages to me. She is consistent with her love for me. I don’t feel like I am compromising or settling for less than what I deserve. She meets me where I am at any moment in life and treats me justly, and equitably too. She’s like my best friend, very patient in how she indulges me. I don’t feel like I have to jump any bar higher than I am capable of just to prove myself.

DBM: How about the romantic aspect of the spark?

Ifama: It’s burning with flames and keeping me excited and alive. Dave, this is a relationship that I not only want but I know I absolutely need to build a future.

DBM: You’re bisexual, I’m guessing?

Ifama: I could be. I wish there was a way to determine which of them would be my perfect match

DBM: The true intentions of a human heart and whatever it’s feeling for you cannot be predicted, unfortunately. You can never know which of them, genuinely, would do right by you.

Ifama: What do I do? Because I think I have fallen in love with them for different reasons.

DBM: I don’t know what else to tell you. What you are doing would give any of them more than enough reason to doubt you. This kind of relationship wouldn’t flourish because you’re not being honest with them. Your feelings towards them aren’t clear.

Ifama: They’re clear. I am simply cultivating my femininity and trying to use it to my advantage and the benefit of the two most important people in my life.

DBM: Two most important people that you’re conveniently, hiding their existence in your life from each other. Why don’t they know there are two of them competing for your attention and love?

Ifama: It’s not everything that we have to share

DBM: When you have nothing else to hide, you’re invincible.

Ifama: I want to marry the man. My pastor thinks we can pray my feelings for the woman away. I want to believe it is possible but I am not sure.

DBM: You mind me asking why you came to me?

Ifama: Someone introduced me to your Facebook.

DBM: So, you know my stance on same-sex attracted relationships?

Ifama: Yes and no.

DBM: Well, go to my blog: https://dmbir.com/blog/ click on the search bar; type and enter ‘Gay’. You will find my opinions on all the conversations I’ve had with people like you.

Ifama: Ok

DBM: Praying your feelings for the same sex to go away isn’t practical. It doesn’t work like that. However, you can choose not to entertain women romantically, if that is what you really want. Are you willing and desiring to commit to your guy wholeheartedly? Because you can if you want to.

Ifama: I want to but my feelings for the woman are real to me. I’m not sure how people will react to that.

DBM: You need to come to that place in your life where you can easily let outsiders have whatever perspective they assume of you, while you continue to live in your truth.

Ifama: It’s not that simple, Dave.

DBM: Which of the relationships brings you inner peace?

Ifama: The woman

DBM: In John 14:27 Jesus left you with a gift: Peace of heart and mind to combat the fear and anxiety you’re feeling this day. That peace is not supposed to trouble your heart. You need to lead your heart to the place where it isn’t troubled while falling in love. You need to trust that GOD knows the contents of your heart and exactly what’s best for you.

Ifama: Even though I will be judged by others?

DBM: Let not outside noise and condemnation rob you off your calm, quiet and ability to take in every single moment you get to share with the happiness love brings you.

Ifama: You say it as if it’s that easy to make it all make sense.

DBM: People typically tend to be more accommodating with you living a lie. Your existence and experiences aren’t lies. Jesus left you this gift of inner peace, knowing you’re going to need it in times like these. Let your heart be at peace. Peace that surpasses what we (the outsiders) can understand. That’s all I am suggesting to you. Anyone else who has issues with your truth should first cultivate that same energy into praying away their fornication, lying, stealing, cunning, adulterous, hateful, deceitful and corrupt ways of living.

Ifama: I will come back to this conversation again. Thank you.

Image Credit: David Kwewum

Image Capturing My Imagination

Written by David B on . Posted in Blog.

Mylo: My father wasn’t that upright at responding with words of truth when my mother was having a tough time trusting his actions. He couldn’t discern her feelings to treat her with compassion. I don’t even think he loved my mother that deeply, thus his inability to be consistent with her. Those were a few of my observations looking back into my childhood. I’m an adult now and I am married with no children. And as a husband, I am very thankful and fortunate to have a woman like my wife in my life.

David Bondze-Mbir (DBM): How long have you been married?

Mylo: Been married for 29 years

DBM: That’s wonderful. Anyways, hello! How are you doing?

Mylo: I’m fine David. How are you?

DBM: I’m doing alright, thanks. How did you meet your wife?

Mylo: We were friends in primary school and had kept in touch somehow.

DBM: When did you know you were developing deeper feelings for her?

Mylo: When I was in Mfantsipim School. I was finding ways to reach out to her because I realized how devoted I was exclusively to her and the friendship we shared. She was the only image of a woman capturing my wild imaginations.

DBM: Is she still the only image capturing your imaginations?

Mylo: I have not been with any other woman since the day I knew I had fallen in love with her. I’m drawn to her like bees to honey.

DBM: But you’ve been tempted or attracted to others every now and then, no?

Mylo: David, this may come as a shock but I’ve always been committed to my wife.

DBM: Why do you think other men find it so easy to be unfaithful?

Mylo: A man decides what he wants to do. A woman doesn’t have to do anything wrong to make a man cheat. He decides not to be honest. He decides when it’s convenient to lie. He decides who to play the field with. He decides when he thinks he’s ready to marry or not. All these decisions are made by the man without the help from a woman.

DBM: So, life and marriage in general is perfect for you then?

Mylo: My marriage isn’t perfect. We have our ups and downs. She gets mad at me every now and then but she loves me. I love my wife. Even in times she’s said or done something to get on my nerves, I remind myself of how much she loves me, and that she’s not intentionally trying to hurt me. I tell myself we will get through it. And we always do.

DBM: What would you tell the single, young woman reading this conversation and thinking of getting married someday?

Mylo: Do not assume that because you want to be married at a certain age means all the men you are dating and attracted to are ready for marriage. A lot of men do not want to outgrow their single phase. Conditioning such a man to marry you only gets you a husband at home. He’s partially single when he’s out of the house.

DBM: I know a number of married men who have told me they’re cheating on their wives because they’re not getting enough sex at home. What’s your take on that?

Mylo: Sex should not threaten love. As men, we need to know how to ask our wives for intimacy, not just sex. If I’m to cheat on my wife, it’s because I choose to be selfish. I’ll either choose to be dishonest or choose not to. My inability to fully commit to my marriage and wife isn’t the doing of anyone but myself.

DBM: You have no children, you said?

Mylo: No children and it’s okay. We all can’t have it all. The life I’ve built with my wife and the happiness we’ve created in our marriage feels like all the family we’ve ever wanted. My wife is full of love and is excited about me. I’m challenged everyday to remember why I married her and the home we look forward to in our future together, even if children are not a part of it. We are living a very contented, satisfying life.

DBM: What do you say to couples out there walking in these same shoes without children?

Mylo: You cannot pull the child-card as your excuse to betray the trust your spouse has in you. Doing that simply means your reasons for marrying wasn’t love. Know the bigger vision and purpose for your marriage. The love and connection beyond what you thought you could have or want.

Image Credit: Jbsp Kox’s

Love In Both Worlds

Written by David B on . Posted in Blog.

Snow: Dave, I’m in your inbox today

David Bondze-Mbir (DBM): Hello! How are you doing?

Snow: Living the dream, Bruh. Don’t wake me up. Lol

DBM: You’re funny. Lol! Smh! What’s on your mind?

Snow: So, I read one of your conversations and it brought back some funny memories.

DBM: Which of them?

Snow: The girl having a child with her father.

DBM: Oh, okay! That’s a recent chat.

Snow: Yes

DBM: What’s funny about it?

Snow: My wife is 18 years my senior. And I had dated her daughter in the past

DBM: 18 years your senior, meaning, your wife is 18 years older than you?

Snow: Yes, but she doesn’t look her age. In fact, I look older than her if we don’t disclose our ages

DBM: How long have you been married?

Snow: 11 years

DBM: How old are you now?

Snow: 39

DBM: You dated her daughter you said?

Snow: Yeah, a long time ago. I didn’t know about her mother, though she had told me she was her mother’s only child. Her father died when she was 7years old. She was my girlfriend when she was in first year at UG Legon.

DBM: And you dated for how long?

Snow: 7 months before my graduation

DBM: And, you never met her mother during that phase of your relationship?

Snow: I didn’t.

DBM: How did you meet her mother?

Snow: 2 years after breaking up with her daughter. I applied for a job, got shortlisted and she was part of the interviewing panel.

DBM: I see

Snow: I couldn’t stop making eye contact with her when she asked me to walk her through my resume. I realized she wasn’t married because I checked that finger and we caught each other’s eyes and smiled at each other. The weirdest shit I’ve ever done in an interview.

DBM: You’re that confident, huh?

Snow: Calm and confident

DBM: Interesting

Snow: She asked only two questions. Her last question was what I could bring to the company as a demonstration of my skills in leadership. Funnily enough, I didn’t realize the others on the panel had realized I couldn’t take my eyes off my wife. Instead of answering the question, I rather was telling her how great I was at making tough decision while also listening to my woman and being willing to admit to her when I am wrong. I told her I would include my woman in imagining the future. I also said we would discuss household responsibilities together and make sure they are fairly dispersed. I made her understand that I was going to always consult with her on all major financing decisions. I made her know I was going to follow through with any commitment I would make to her, etc. Dave, it was crazy

DBM: Wait, what was her question again?

Snow: Lol. I didn’t get hired.

DBM: I figured. Lol!

Snow: But they had a good laugh. They told me point blank that I wasn’t going to get the job but asked if I had any questions for the panel. I turned to my wife and asked if she was single

DBM: For real?

Snow: True story Dave. I asked for her number when she confirmed being single. A member of the panel asked if I knew her age. She told me her age and I was in shock. I held on to her number for couple of weeks to think through my feelings before finally giving her a call to ask her out on a date. We realized how deep our connection was. It was beyond sexual attraction.

DBM: Wow! What happened next?

Snow: I fell in love with her eventually and we’ve remained best friends and lovers ever since.

DBM: Has it been an easy relationship and marriage?

Snow: It’s been one struggle after the other but we’re still managing through it. I fell in love with my wife that fast and I love her even harder today.

DBM: The age gap, I mean, is a bit yawning. Were you not concerned about what the outside world would perceive of you?

Snow: My wife actually wanted me to marry someone my age bracket and have children but I was in love and didn’t see why I couldn’t be with her.

DBM: The conversation about her daughter, how did it begin?

Snow: Dave, that is a long story to be told for another day. Lol

DBM: Not even a bit of tea? Lol!

Snow: She showed me a picture of her daughter on our first date and she noticed my discomfort. I told her the truth and it was an awkward night afterwards. She didn’t speak to me for weeks. I called her daughter and explained the coincidence to her and she burst into laughter. I later came to find out she had reached out to her mother to tell her what a good guy I was.

DBM: Are you a good guy?

Snow: I am a wonderful husband to my wife and friend to my step daughter.

DBM: Whom you used to fuck

Snow: I’ve had a taste of both worlds but life goes on.

DBM: How did your relationship with her daughter end on campus?

Snow: She was messing around with another guy. I ended it between us.

DBM: I see. Some of your age mates are campaigning rigorously for men to only go for girls under the age of 30. What’s your take on that?

Snow: The fact is that, women over 30 know quite a lot about men because of their experiences with men in their pasts. They know we cheat and mostly are all for the hook up; we lie, we ghost and would assault if given the chance. They know when not to trust a man at the tipping point of their patience. An under 30 girl tolerates almost anything mediocre so far as there is something monetary to gain.

DBM: Have you cheated on your wife with another woman?

Snow: No

DBM; Do you think younger men ought to consider pursuing older women?

Snow: Dave, love can be found in unexpected places and more often than not. It’s all about respect and honor. A man will not disappoint or betray his love for you if he respects and honors you. This is my best relationship so far, though it looks nothing like what I used to imagine for myself when I was young. My love feels right though unconventional. We understand each other and we compromise for each other.

DBM: Well said!

Image Credit: Polina Tankilevitch

Love Is Not Always A Choice

Written by David B on . Posted in Blog.

Zion: Before I got married to my wife, she was my mother’s favorite hairdresser. My mother lived with me 22 years ago. No hairdresser in our area could fulfill my mum’s enormous hair goals. She expected me to always drive her to the saloon, pay her hairdresser and then later pick her back home. The two times she forced me to walk her into the saloon so she could introduce me to the single women working there, her favorite hairdresser was absent. I met beautiful ladies though, and got to hear interesting stories about their lives and why they would make perfect wives. By the way, my mother’s favorite hairdresser was then married. My mum asked me to drive her to a friend’s house one weekend, and it just happened to be my wife’s home. She had missed two bookings with my mother and she was worried something could be wrong with her. We got to her house and she informed us about her struggle with cancer. She could not adjust to the changes cancer brought to her life because she did not have a strong emotional support. Her husband wasn’t often present at home.

David Bondze-Mbir (DBM): Good evening. How are you doing?

Zion: I am fine, David. How are you?

DBM: I am doing alright, thanks. This is a sad story

Zion: It’s not a sad story.

DBM: It’s not?

Zion: Let me tell you what happened next. My mother started to make regular but short visits to her, and of course, I was the one always driving her to and fro. One thing I found striking about my wife was her ability to still be cheerful and would say funny things to make us laugh, even though she was in great pain. On one of those visits to her house, we were greeted with sad news. Her husband had been involved in a vehicular accident and had lost his life. His pregnant girlfriend survived the accident.

DBM: Pregnant girlfriend?

Zion: Dave, not every marriage is strong enough to survive a cancer diagnosis. My wife was telling us about the additional pressure and the distress her diagnosis had on her marriage with her late husband. It was a difficult challenge for him to navigate. She was telling my mother her inability to engage in sex with her late husband was due to the dryness in her vagina.

DBM: But is intimacy all about intercourse?

Zion: What counts as sex for you?

DBM: Sex to me should be any creative activity that is pleasurable enough to connect me to my partner emotionally.

Zion: Example?

DBM: I know how to give a good massage that can release me off stress.

Zion: Two weeks after her husband’s burial, my mother asked me to drive her to her chemotherapy treatment. We had an hour and half long meeting with her doctor. She had been struggling with the side effects of the medications and the procedure. It was a tough call but I was willing to be there for her.

DBM: Why?

Zion: At first, it was for my mother’s sake but later I became fond of her. I fell in love with her.

DBM: Did she have any children?

Zion: No.

DBM: How long after her husband’s burial before falling in love?

Zion: Exactly three weeks.

DBM: You could fall in love that quickly?

Zion: I didn’t have any desire for her to love me back. Loving her was good enough for me to be there for her. And I was willing to love her even through the cancer.

DBM: When did you know you were in love?

Zion: The day I decided to take six months off work to support her at home. I had no reason to do that but I did it. Loving someone isn’t a choice you make. It’s something you just do because you rejoice in it. It didn’t make sense to my mother. It didn’t have to make sense to anyone.

DBM: Was she also in love with you?

Zion: She didn’t have to, Dave. I was willing to be the only one in that situationship to be having her best interest at heart. What I felt for my wife was willing to endure cancer with her. I was willing to share her pain and grief. I am still persisting against all odds 20 years later.

DBM: That’s how long you’ve been married?

Zion: Yes.

Image Credit: RDNE Stock project

Lonely At The Top

Written by David B on . Posted in Blog.

Luna: Good evening, Dave

David Bondze-Mbir (DBM): Greetings! How are you?

Luna: Fine. You?

DBM: I am doing alright, thanks. What’s on your mind?

Luna: My guy just asked me to marry him.

DBM: Oh great! Congratulations!

Luna: Thanks.

DBM: You’re excited, no?

Luna: I’m supposed to be but I don’t know why I am feeling a bit unsure.

DBM: Unsure about what?

Luna: He used to tell me he would never marry again.

DBM: People’s minds change, you know?

Luna: Yes, but he is a divorcee, and based on the stories he has shared with me about his ex-wife and what he said she put him through, I never imagined him settling down again.

DBM: His divorce is official, no?

Luna: Yes

DBM: You’ve seen a signed divorce decree by a judge?

Luna: Yes Dave.

DBM: Good to know! I had to be sure. A lot of skewed men are loosely throwing out the ‘I’m divorcing my wife’ lines to single women just to get laid.

Luna: I know

DBM: Are you the reason he divorced his wife?

Luna: No. I met him after his divorce

DBM: Okay! You’re on a good start then.

Luna: Dave, is marriage for everyone?

DBM: Question should be, is marriage for you?

Luna: I want to be married, yes.

DBM: Do you see yourself being married to him?

Luna: I love him but I feel like he’s made me believe he’s not interested in marrying anyone again.

DBM: You need to understand that, no amount of love can make a man who isn’t that much into the idea of marriage to want to do something (marriage) he doesn’t want to. If he’s asked you to marry him, then it means he’s that much into you. Have you asked him why he wants to marry you?

Luna: No, do I have to?

DBM: But of course! You’re not the least curious as to why?

Luna: I am

DBM: How old is he?

Luna: 48

DBM: How old are you?

Luna: 37

DBM: You need to know his perceived analysis of your worth to him. You are certainly offering him something of value, and he’s calculated exactly what marrying you might or not cost him. You need to understand from his point of view – what he feels he’s gaining: i.e. Are you an asset or a liability. Is this going to be your first marriage?

Luna: Yes

DBM: You have children?

Luna: No, but he has three with his ex.

DBM: And, you’re okay with that?

Luna: I don’t mind

DBM: Okay! Something is holding you back, what is it?

Luna: He’s never said ‘I love you’ to me before

DBM: How long have you been together?

Luna: 3 years. Ever since we fell in love two years ago, I have been randomly telling him how much I love him. Sometimes, I feel like he doesn’t feel any true love for me. The one time I remember him saying it back to me was after an awesome afternoon sex. Even with that, I felt he talked himself into believing it because I said it to him first.

DBM: You want my honest opinion, no?

Luna: Yes

DBM: So, this is what I, David Bondze-Mbir believe and practice: I would rather have somebody who could never tell me they love me but every day, I felt it with their actions. That’s exactly who I got in my marriage. Fortunately for us, we do tell each other we love us every day. And, we’ve been doing that for years now. It’s an intentional thing to want to be a student of the other person’s feelings and interests.

Luna: Hmmm. And there’s the topic of monogamy. He doesn’t believe a man is to devote his body to one woman alone. He’s been trying to negotiate with me to consider the fact that, he would sexually attract other women. And might pursue them.

DBM: That is what he thinks is right for him. Question is, does it sit well with you?

Luna: No

DBM: Do you know his ex-wife?

Luna: I know about her. I have friends who know her personally.

DBM: And, what do they say about her?

Luna: She’s a great lady apparently. The only person I know who has spoken bad about her is my man.

DBM: This is what I would suggest: figure out a way to have a conversation with his ex.

Luna: To say what? Lol

DBM: You’re contemplating on marrying her ex. You need to know if you’re making the right decision. She was someone he once loved. However her ex-husband chose to describe her to you, that is his version of experience with her. It doesn’t make her a total idiot. It shouldn’t form your total perception about her. You need to know her version of how he sees and treats women who are important to him. Treat her choice of words and lived experience with him with respect, and you will earn more of it for yourself.

Luna: What if she also has nothing good to say about him?

DBM: It’s normal. None of us are enthused about being made to remember the times we made a mistake or were made to feel stupid by someone we loved. The best you can do is to acknowledge her feelings. Just listen with your heart. It will let you know. You will find the answer needed to say yes or no to his marriage proposal. It’s always good to be in the known, so you do not find yourself lowering your standards – just to accommodate the idea of being with the man you think you like. Most men think only with their mouths. They know all the right things to say to make a woman feel like she’d be lucky to be with him. Those are the typical bully material, not necessarily marriage material. Do not create in him one because you’re blinded by love.

Luna: Oh Dave, that’s a lot for me to process.

DBM: You will be fine. You know what is good for you at the end of the day.

Luna: Thank you, David. Thank you very much.

Image Credit: Nataliya Vaitkevich

Gimme Some Lovin’

Written by David B on . Posted in Blog.

Edwin: I had not spoken to my father in over nine years and I didn’t know he had been hospitalized. The woman who is now my wife was the nurse helping him to feel calm and fulfilled in his last days of living at the hospital. I returned home late from work one day and there she was by my gate, waiting to deliver a message. My father had requested she facilitated his death in a comfortable and dignified manner as possible. I was his only child, and so he had asked her to find and inform me about his decision.

David Bondze-Mbir (DBM): You and dad, was it a relationship that had drifted apart or it was something else?

Edwin: It was an unhealthy father-son relationship that I knew I didn’t want.

DBM: Understood!

Edwin: Is your father alive?

DBM: Yes

Edwin: What’s your relationship like with him?

DBM: I don’t know! There’s no real relationship and it hasn’t been for years.

Edwin: Does it bother you?

DBM: Nope!

Edwin: What’s the background story?

DBM: Wait! Is this my interview or yours? Lol!

Edwin: It’s our interview, Dave. It should not be a one-sided chat.

DBM: I think he missed out on an opportunity to really get to know me as a person. And because of that, I moved on in life without needing his presence, support or opinions. Anytime I look back and think about the things he used to say to take my spirit, or how he used to treat me, I remember how each one of his actions made me feel. I refuse to ever be made to feel that worthless and broken again. Nobody will subject me to such a state, ever again.

Edwin: I will go back to my story.

DBM: Great!

Edwin: The nurse convinced me to find a way to go and see him, and bond with him in his last days, even if it did not involve me talking to him. It was very late, so I suggested she slept over and left in the morning. She declined the offer and left. I rushed to the hospital the next morning and my father had been pronounced dead. I was allowed to briefly view his body before he was moved.

DBM: Let me backtrack a bit: How did she locate your residence?

Edwin: My father directed her to my best friend’s office, so he could bring her to my house. My father didn’t know where I was staying.

DBM: Well, I’m so sorry about the whole experience. Sometimes, there are no words to describe these feelings and happenings.

Edwin: I honestly couldn’t explain how his passing made me feel. I was transformed by a certain type of grief that made me feel empty and stranded. Dave, I felt paralyzed by not knowing how to feel about his death. I saw the nurse who had come to my house, on duty from a distance, and I could see she very much wanted to provide some solace for me. I could see it in her eyes but she did nothing. She said nothing. I settled every bill I needed to settle at the hospital and left, walking pointlessly in the streets. I later returned to the office as if nothing had happened, closed at the usual time, and then went home. I got home very late and there she was again, waiting.

DBM: The nurse?

Edwin: Yes, my wife. She came up to me with great concern and hugged me so tight for about 20 minutes. I couldn’t stop tearing up. That was when I knew she was something special. Her big heart caught my attention that evening and I held on to her. She kept reaching out even on days I just wanted to be alone. She was by my side when I had to travel to see my father’s family to inform them of his passing. She became a shoulder for me to cry on, and I enjoyed listening to all the stories she told me about my father’s two weeks admission to the hospital. We became friends after I had buried my father.

DBM: She seems like a good woman.

Edwin: My wife is the best.

DBM: Was she single?

Edwin: Not initially. Because I made an attempt to kiss her one time and she pushed me away. She told me she was in a relationship and asked if I would be okay if she checked on me again once some time had passed. I didn’t hear from her for about ten months. Then, I fell sick and had to go to the hospital. I asked one of the nurses attending to me about her. I was directed to where she was and I could still feel the excitement her presence used to bring me. She smiled when I smiled and then informed me about her relationship status. She was single and ready to mingle. You should have seen me that afternoon. I was on a cloud of my own because that sense of wonder about her remained throughout the time she had pushed me away. She wouldn’t admit it then but we had a strong, unique bond that only the two of us could understand. Our friendship matured into something beautiful, and somehow, everything clicked. We decided to get married.

DBM: How long have you been married?

Edwin: 18 years.

DBM: That’s nice. 18 good years or 18 some-what good years?

Edwin: It’s been good so far. I would have been a complete mess without her in my life.

DBM: What do you feel is making your marriage work for this long?

Edwin: We talk to each other a lot. And because there is constant communication, we’ve gotten to know each other more. My marriage is doing well because I am interested in whatever my wife wants to discuss with me. I’m never too busy to hear her out. She gets my attention when she wants my attention. A lot of guys would have the time to give their attention to all manner of people and things but their wives. I am the complete opposite. My wife is my priority, she comes first.

DBM: How do you deal with conflict?

Edwin: We have a kissing culture at home. First thing we do when we wake up in the morning, we kiss. We kiss before going to sleep. Conflicts automatically settles because nothing is supposed to break the culture. We still have to kiss even if we’re mad at each other. And Dave, there are kisses, and there are kisses. Some kisses are meant to end wars.

DBM: Hehehe! I love kissing, so I think I get the memo. What strengths do you bring to your marriage?

Edwin: One of my key strengths I’d say is, my intention to always present myself attractive to my wife. I let her see my heart for God. And because she’s a witness to that, she gets to experience God’s kindness, patience, mercy, forgiveness, gentleness, faithfulness, truth, wisdom, beauty, humility, support, care and love in me. When a woman experiences all these traits in her man, the attraction she has for him grows.

DBM: Did you have a ‘type’ and was your wife your ‘type’?

Edwin: I used to have a type I typically went for. My wife wasn’t in that category. However, getting to know her made me realize how beautiful and physically attractive she was in my eyes. My wife is now definitely my type. I am glad I gave someone I usually wouldn’t go for a chance to speak to my conscience, attitude and heart. Beauty is skin deep. I fell in love with my wife’s character.

DBM: That is what I always tell my very close friends; my partner’s character is the person I know I can spend the rest of my life with. I married character too. Physical appearance has always been superficial and less important to me.

Image Credit: Anna-Nekrashevich

Once In A Lifetime

Written by David B on . Posted in Blog.

Thom: Marriage is not an easy decision to commit yourself exclusively to, David, but I have been happily married to a woman I am not ashamed to be upset, insecure, temperamental, win, fail, be scared, happy, unsure, certain or honest with when I am in her presence. My wife agreed to marry me 34 years ago and thankfully, our connection has been developing naturally and is never forced at any point. I am always slowing down. That has been the key to my successful marriage. My walk with my wife since embarking on this journey, three decades ago has been at a slow pace, one day at a time to draw our attention to the fact that, we’re at least moving, even if not as fast. My marriage is not for show. I don’t need to convince people that I am happy with my wife. Who cares, if you’re not living under our roof 24/7 to be a witness to it?

David Bondze-Mbir (DBM): You’re speaking my language Sir.

Thom: Dave, for 34 years my wife and I have built trust. We have in our snail pace also tested the frequency and intensity of our intimacy. I saw my father love my mother slowly but surely for 49 years and that has been my motivation since I became an adult. I want to be a good lover and I want my wife to enjoy sex with me. And because I want my wife to be satisfied in bed at all times, I am not in a hurry to rush the process. My wife knows she’s the most beautiful woman I have ever known, and I remind her of that every day. My father was constantly affirming my mother’s beauty even though our neighbour’s wife was way prettier than my mom. What am I trying to say? Because I am choosing to make my wife my world’s most beautiful woman ever, I have not had the time to be interested in making another woman’s beauty the center of my attention or attraction. One advise my father gave to me on our wedding day was to appreciate my wife and care about what is important to her. What is important to my wife is synonymously linked to her feelings. Caring about what is important to her is to care about her feelings. That is why for 34 years, our marriage hasn’t been a struggle. I do not dismiss or ignore my wife’s needs and feelings. I honor them. I keep her safe. Emotionally she’s safe with me. Physically, she’s safe with me. Financially, she knows I’ve got her and the family we have built together covered.

DBM: This is a healthy conversation. I am smiling and willing to learn.

Thom: I smiled and learned from my dad, what it takes to be a good husband. Dave, I lost my job and was unemployed for almost six years. Guess who stood in the gab to return a favor to keep me safe emotionally, physically and financially?

DBM: Your wife

Thom: Yes. A wife will prioritize your well-being above all else if you prioritize hers above everything else. She has loved me for who I am and it has not been about what I have done for her, because I love her for who she is to me. She knows she matters to me, that is why I can be comfortable with the idea of helping my wife at home. I help with chores. I helped with the children aside taking on the financial responsibility of their wellbeing. Because my wife didn’t feel burdened at home after work, she had the interest to initiate sex from time to time. Dave, I love sex, so when I see my wife initiating intimacy with me, boy oh boy, it means the world to me.

DBM: How relevant is sex to a man?

Thom: The question should be, how relevant is sex in a marriage. Marriage is made up of the two people involved, and not just one man’s sexual drive. My wife has needs too, that’s why I am intentional on doing things to take the stress off her, so she can have space to tap into her need for intimacy. She needs to trust me to enjoy sex with me. We have built a healthy sex life with one experience after the other. And I prove myself to my wife every day, in the smallest ways.

DBM: Why do you think your wife loves you this much?

Thom: I’ve asked her this question before. She told me she loves me because I make her feel like she’s a part of our marriage as a team. She doesn’t feel dominated or controlled. We talk about important things together as equals. We make plans for our family together. We lead our family with love and respect. She knows she’s not doing this marriage thing alone. I feel I am not alone in the marriage too. I understand my wife’s needs.

DBM: Can we ever know a person we’re in love with that well?

Thom: My answer would be no, based on my own experience with my wife. After all these years, there are still some things I haven’t learned about her, even though I can confidently say I know almost every little detail about her.

DBM: Is love enough to make a marriage work?

Thom: I know what is enough in my marriage. I have a deep-rooted admiration for my wife and wife alone. She has a genuine admiration for me too. Love is not what is sustaining my marriage. God is. Prayer together with my wife is what is sustaining my marriage. Friendship with my wife is sustaining our marriage. Because the love we have for each other comes alive every day, it evolves with the changing times. What it used to be isn’t always going to be what it is today. What it wasn’t yesterday could be what it should become for us today. Our love evolves with time. I don’t always make my wife happy; she doesn’t always make me want to fall in love with her but I am committed to her all the way. I have never lost respect for the woman she is. She has so much respect for me too. That is why I don’t want to do anything to lose her respect because I might never get it back.

DBM: Let me guess, you’ve not cheated on her?

Thom: I have not and do not have any intentions to lose the respect my wife has for me.

DBM: Respect

Thom: It’s everything gold. When your choices are not judged by your spouse, you know how much they respect you. When your independence isn’t encroached by a spouse, you know they respect you. That is why I respect myself enough not to mess things up. Also, my wife and I talk about everything. I used to hear my parents discussing everything. It felt like there were no secrets between them. There are no secrets in our marriage.

DBM: Well, secrets have a way of dividing two people. I concur.

Thom: If something is bothering any of us, we say it as it. We don’t find sarcastic ways to mock or troll each other to make a point. I married Aku because I knew she was good enough for me. And if something is good enough, you don’t want to change it because you think you have changed. I could not have been one hundred percent sure of the woman I was marrying, 34 years ago. Of course, I knew who she was that fateful day at the altar, but I couldn’t have known who she was going to grow to become in 10, 15, 20, 25, 30 years’ time. That is why I had to psyche myself to prepare for the unexpected in the land of the unknown. I had to be willing to find admiration for my wife, regardless of … You get the point, Dave?

DBM: I do.

Image Credit: RDNE Stock project

Brand New Man

Written by David B on . Posted in Blog.

Marcus: Hi Dave. I am in my second marriage. The first was to my childhood sweetheart. We were together for 9 years but later realized we weren’t a good match. My ex-wife was unhappy in the marriage. We forced to be together due to the fear of being alone, and on my part, the shame. But we knew we both felt stuck. It wasn’t a satisfying marriage. The friendship was tight, it’s still tight. We are better as good friends; we’ve come to now realize that.

David Bondze-Mbir (DBM): Kids?

Marcus: O yes, we have two. But I have three in my second marriage.

DBM: How long have you been married in your second chapter?

Marcus: 15 years

DBM: What finally made you part ways with your childhood sweetheart?

Marcus: We started to dislike each other and I realized our actions were harming our children more than our fear of a divorce could. My wife was accepting how bad I was treating her. I was enduring her silence and avoidance. We talked to each other anyhow, most of the time, not in the presence of the children but they felt it. They felt the tension and hate between us in the house. It was detrimental. What made me take the bold decision to file was when I saw my 7-year-old daughter accepting insults and beatings from her 8-year-old brother. I was not physically abusing their mother but they had been witnesses to us accepting each other’s bad behavior, and I think that was what was making her accept the same from her brother. I didn’t want that for her future relationships with guys or in her marriage.

DBM: How are the kids doing today?

Marcus: Perfect. They’re excelling in school and living their best lives. They love how cordial their mother and I have suddenly become. They love the peace between their two different households. The fact that my relationship with their mother didn’t work out didn’t mean it had to also affect the family we once were. Divorce isn’t pretty. It cost me an arm and leg, but it was a necessary lesson and sacrifice, though painful, to teach my children. I did everything I could, including putting in the work to try and salvage what felt like a loveless marriage.

DBM: In as much as I would like to grow into old age together with my partner until we both pass, if it ever should get to that point where I know our marriage hasn’t got any more fights left, I’d leave.

Marcus: That was the point I got to, Dave. But I thank my ex-wife for our years together. It wasn’t always as bad. As I mentioned from the beginning, she will always be the love of my life. I’ve learnt what not to do to my wife and I am a very happy man today. My wife and I have our days of disagreements and fights but I make sure not to point fingers at, or place any blames on her. I don’t have to ‘win’ in an argument anymore. I read one of your conversations with the guys and you were telling him, in your marriage, your focus as a couple during arguments is on your connection and not the power one lords over the other. That’s one lesson I learned from my first marriage. I wasn’t doing that with my ex-wife, and that became a huge challenge for us. In this new phase of my lifelong commitment to my wife on this journey of uncertainty, I am learning to do way better than expected of me.

DBM: Good for you!

Marcus: I’m trying to remember why I reached out to you. Damn, I’ve forgotten the reason.

DBM: Lol! It’s all good.

Marcus: This is serious Charley. I can’t remember o.

DBM: That’s okay! You can always come back to continue with the chat.

Marcus: Damn…

DBM: It’s all good!

Marcus: Anyway, thank you for all that you’re using your Facebook to do for free. Some of us are learning.

DBM: It’s a learning platform for me too.

Marcus: Bro. this marriage thing isn’t child’s play but some of us are willing to stay true to our vows, “For better, for worse”. We don’t commit and become good husbands only for the good stuff. That wouldn’t be a genuine commitment. I agreed to go the long haul with my wife, and I am willing to reach the highest peak and climb the tallest mountain with her by my side. And the lowest valleys, we will descend together. So far, I’m proud to say our marriage and relationship has grown and become deep and beautiful. We have a wonderful friendship too. My wife and I do not have a lot in common but we get along just fine.

DBM: I’m happy for you. Is your ex-wife married?

Marcus: Yes. I’ve never seen her that happy. I wasn’t the one meant for her. I am so glad she did not waste her heart to stay in our stagnant marriage. It’s nice to sometimes brave the unfamiliar territories.

Image Credit: PNW Production

Six-Year Hiatus

Written by David B on . Posted in Blog.

Crai: Hello David. I was once in a relationship with this man I’m about to talk about. We were very much in love but he broke my heart. And because of the why behind his reasons for doing what he did to me, a big part of me unconsciously blocked anything that reminded me of him in my heart and mind. He ended our 3-year relationship because he felt he didn’t make enough money to enable him take care of us. Mind you, I had never asked him to spend on me. I was working and probably even making more money than he was but he left me for a rich widow who was 12 years older than him. He was not in love with the lady. He told me so himself. He ended things with me because the widow wanted to date him and needed him to be completely single. He asked me not to date anyone and give him 6 years to achieve his dreams through the widow’s support and then he will end things with her and come back for me. His six years with her ended in July 2025, and true to his word, he’s back asking for my hand in marriage. She funded his masters and PhD in Europe, used her connections to link him to land his current job and now he even has a 3-bedroom house of his own. His contract with the widow was for 6 years.

David Bondze-Mbir (DBM): How old are you?

Crai: 42

DBM: How old is he?

Crai: 44

DBM: Did you wait during his six-year hiatus or you also dated other people?

Crai: I was the lady in waiting

DBM: Why?

Crai: He’s the only man I’ve ever truly loved

DBM: Were you in communication with him after he broke things off?

Crai: He reached out to me twice every month to assure me he was going to keep his word.

DBM: Just that?

Crai: Yes. It did not go beyond that. He gave that assurance twice every month and would ask me to wait for six more years, five more years, four more years, three more years, two more years, one more year etc.

DBM: You believe he loved you?

Crai: I believe he is in love with me.

DBM: Were finances the only reason for his decision?

Crai: Yes. He used to always complain to me about feeling less of a man because he couldn’t bring in as much to support our relationship. I wasn’t even complaining, Dave.

DBM: Why him?

Crai: He’s the kindest man I’ve ever met. What he did to our relationship was dishonorable but he’s an honorable man. I remember the night he ended our relationship; he held my two hands in his and he started to pray and bless me. I cannot describe that evening with the right words. I broke down and began to cry uncontrollably. I cried so hard he started to also cry. He couldn’t stop himself from crying. It was a powerful moment. That was when I knew he was really in love with me and felt bad about his decision.

DBM: He felt bad about his decision but went ahead with it anyway

Crai: Yes. I’m not going to pretend I understand why he did what he did to me but after that night of our break-up, prayer and tears, I developed a new found respect and admiration for him. He’s a powerful man.

DBM: What I want to know is, he did not cheat on the widow with you during the six years break?

Crai: He did not. He also told me he did not cheat on her with anyone else. He entered into a contract and fulfilled his part of the deal.

DBM: What’s your current opinion of him?

Crai: I don’t know if I can trust him again.

DBM: What he did to you, in my opinion, is a subtle warning flag. It may seem small a red flag to him, but it’s still something that needs to be addressed as soon as possible.

Crai: Yes. And my guards are all up

DBM: Well, there are people worth letting your guard down for. Question is, is he one of those?

Crai: I still love him very much but I am so scared. He’s asking me to marry him, Dave. He doesn’t want to date all over again or hang around. He’s asking to go see my parents.

DBM: I married someone who could be with me despite the troubles and my lack thereof. My partner is someone who could see that I would eventually get there, and was willing to tag along for the ride. Next year, we will be eight years on this ride.

Crai: You think I should risk it?

DBM: You already risked your heart in waiting for six years. You’ve offered him the power to hurt you, betray and reject you. What else is there to him to fear?

Crai: Hmmm.

DBM: Be upfront with what you need from him and be honest with yourself about exactly what you need. There’s no point in holding back if you’re genuinely, that much into him.

Crai: I know I will be happy and in love with him. I will be my most passionate with him.

DBM: Let’s go for it then. There is true joy in true love.

Crai: Let’s go for it. David, thank you very much.

Image Credit: Anete Lusina

Heart Of My Heart

Written by David B on . Posted in Blog.

Tobe: Good evening

David Bondze-Mbir (DBM): Greetings! How are you doing?

Tobe: I’m fine boss. You?

DBM: I am doing alright, thanks.

Tobe: My story is not so great but it’s something.

DBM: Something’ is good enough.

Tobe: Okay. I was in my late 30s, and a bit fed up with my first marriage. Our marriage was a mess and 95% of it was my fault. I am in my second marriage. She is the same woman I was cheating on my ex-wife with. My ex-wife has also moved on and has been married for 8 years. I admit that whatever broke my first marriage was because I let my guard down for more than just a moment. I did not make any serious effort to address what went amiss. Instead of changing my ways to assure my ex-wife that she could trust me again, I had opened the door to rather rebuild something better with my current wife. A decision I partially regret because my ex was one person who loved me through my poorer. I feel bad for disappointing her in my richer. She should have been the one enjoying the fruits of her sweat. I destroyed her self-esteem, which I regret.

DBM: You had kids?

Tobe: Yes. We have a daughter together.

DBM: Okay!

Tobe: Though I love and admire my now wife, I feel like I made a big mistake letting a good woman go. It was not a good choice. I was also not ready for marriage. I made her sound crazy by denying all of her suspicions of me and my now wife. It was so bad she did not know who I was or meant to her anymore. I got up with other emotions and was deceived by my flesh’s lust for different things.

DBM: Did you own up to it?

Tobe: I tried.

DBM: Have you apologized to her?

Tobe: I have, in court. I don’t have access to her on phone so I had to use our divorce proceedings in court to ask for her forgiveness in person.

DBM: You did the right thing.

Tobe: I wish I could turn back the hands of time. I had a good wife, David Bondze-Mbir. All I do sometimes is to reminisce on the good times we once shared, the beautiful experiences she gave me; all the things we could have done, the dreams and future I promised her, but never did.

DBM: It’s good you know what you did to her and hopefully, the lessons learnt thus far. Now you have a new wife and marriage to apply it.

Tobe: That is right

DBM: You will be fine

Tobe: I will be fine

DBM: Indeed! Sometimes, GOD uses these experiences and mistakes we consciously or unconsciously make, to drive home the point we fail to realize when the people we were supposed to have loved right are no longer around.

Tobe: It really sucks. She is my one true love

DBM: I know! How is your relationship with your daughter?

Tobe: We’re close. She’s my everything.

DBM: Does she understand why you and her mother are no longer together?

Tobe: Yes

DBM: Okay!

Tobe: Dave

DBM: Yeah!

Tobe: Can you say something to encourage me?

DBM: What do you want me to say to you?

Tobe: Anything from your experience in marriage

DBM: You have to keep going because you have a new family now. Your partner deserves a good relationship with you. Put your energies into being a good man, a great husband and an awesome father. The most you can do is to be the very best of you. Whatever you now wish you could have been to your ex, become to your partner in your marriage. Love your wife. Do not fix her. Do not control her sense of self and being. Do not manipulate your way through her vulnerability and respect for you. Accept her and love her. Who knows, this could be the best one you’ve ever had.

Tobe: Thank you for your time.

Image Credit: Dapo Abideen

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