Congratulations Kristin and Efosa!

I am SO EXCITED to be photographing their wedding, i can hardly stand it.  We had so many deserving submissions, but when i came across Kristin’s letter, it honestly made my eyes well up.  So honest, from the heart, i feel like i already know both of them.  We were looking for a wedding that celebrated the inherent traditions of a different culture, because wedding ceremonies are unique in that they span all cultures in the world. what an amazing example of what truly unifies us, what makes us all the same- Love.  And what’s more, Kristin is caucasian born and raised in America. This union not only celebrates Nigeria’s cultures and traditions, but also the joining of two races, cultures, and families. I’ll be the first to admit that i have NO IDEA what to expect other than the amazing and so-helpful emails kristin and Fos have sent me explaining all the rites of passage, dances, and traditions (and thank you google images and youtube for giving me at least some sort of idea what a Nigerian Wedding will be like!).  but somehow i know that the fact that i am not so familiar with it will make it that much more vivid and real.  We set out on this mission to give back, to find a couple who’s personal story touched us just as much (if not more!) than what their wedding day was going to be like, what type of venue they were going to have, blah blah blah.  We should never forget that it is the union of two people and the celebration of love that is the most important thing on your wedding day, the rest of the details fall down the totem pole (even photography!).  We are so happy Kristin and Efosa found us and decided to submit their story, I’d love to share it with you all and  i think it best that she tell you herself!

Last year, I went and volunteered in Southern Sudan for a few months doing medical relief type of stuff, and when I got back, I went through quite a hard transition back to the american life.  I guess it was extreme culture shock to the united states.  I was at church one sunday at the youth group I have volunteer with when a really good friend of mine pointed Fos out to me. She said ” You should go to talk to that guy. He volunteered in africa this summer too, Im sure you two would have a lot to talk about it.”

I walked over to him and told him how I was in sudan, and had heard that he was doing some work over there too. That was all he needed to hear. He then talked for 45 wonderful minutes about his non-profit in Nigeria focused on reaching those in extreme poverty. In 3 short years they have partnered with 3 rural villages and brought micro-financing, clean water, and education to these villages. He  also talked about his love for Christ, and desire to serve him through serving the poor for the rest of his life.  I cannot tell you how wonderful it was to talk with him that night- and not just because we were talking about Africa, but I thoroughly enjoyed him- it was so clear that he was a man of integrity and living with so much love and passion.

After that conversation I called my mom and told her that I had met my husband that night and that I wanted her to write the date down so that I could prove it later..  The funny thing was though- that for Fos- He forgot my name later that day and again two weeks later when I saw him again:) Lets just say it took a few more weeks for him to think of the possibility of dating:)

We hung out just one more time before attending this conference at my home church in brookfield that brought together people from all over the world to talk about different humanatarian efforts they were involved with. My parents were there too, and Fos fell in love with them ( probably before he did me!!!) and it was at my church that he thought he could see us together forever. We effortlessly fell in love after that conference With countless dates, endless night of talking, and just pure enjoyment of each others presence.  He was someone that I immediately respected, who made me strive to be better and love more, and someone that I just loved being with.

For both of us, our families are extremely close and important in our lives, and we both knew that before we could get engaged I had to meet his parents and get approval:)  So this past summer I was able to go to Nigeria and meet his entire family. HIs parents, older sister and majority of his extended family live in Lagos, Nigeria. His older brother is married and lives in california, and his younger sister is at school in north carolina. While in Nigeria, we were also able to visit each of the villages that he is involved with. Fos met with the chiefs of the village and was able to set up some new projects that PSH (poverty stops here) is working on.  It was amazing to witness the impact on the people in the village by  Fos’ organization. I met so many young 13, 14 year old girls who one year ago had to walk for hours to fetch water each day, and not once, but usually 5-6 times!! Now, they have access to CLEAN water that is 5 minutes from their tukuls (huts). And their younger brothers and sisters, or children, are no longer sick, or dying. I cant truly put into words how proud I was at that moment to see my future husband loving the poorest of the poor with every piece of himself…

This september, Fos proposed. He had a whole weekend planned following my first set of exams. On saturday, September 4th, we had plans to have dinner with my parents. We got in the car, and there was this box of letters for me.  He had written a letter for each month that we had been together and what we did in those months and the progression of our love for each other.  I was allowed to open one letter for every 4 miles.  As we got off the exit in brookfield, there was one month left, and he said that it would have to wait. When we got to brookfield, he told me he had to buy a book at my dad’s church, so we stopped in. After we bought the book, we were in the lobby and he just got down on one knee!!! I didnt know what he was doing, and was SO SURPRISED!! But he told me that he knew he was going to marry me when we were in that church together one year ago, and that He wanted our relationship to always be centered on Christ and serving Him as a couple.

SO. Now we are planning our Nigerian wedding:)  His parents and many of his extended family will be flying in from Nigeria within the month of the wedding. I CANT WAIT… they are just the most joyful, happy, outgoing, and fun-loving people.  It brings me so much peace to be around them.  They enjoy every minute of being alive and have such a great perspective on life and what a gift it is to be here.  I hope you get to meet them. They will be bringing with them my Nigerian wedding dress ( I will wear a white american dress for the beginning, and then when I am accepted into his family, will change into his Tribes traditional dresses, which are FYI BEAUTIFUL!!)  They also will bring over gifts to present to my family as a dowry (nowadays the parents usually give it to the new couple).  Each present has a  cultural meaning and significance which will be explained at the wedding.

RIGHT?! i know! they are absolutely amazing! so, their wedding is weeks away (i can’t believe it!) so we’re going to be making quick travel plans to fly up to Milwaukee in march.  Also, i wanted to end this post with information about Efosa’s non-profit organization and what they do. check him out here: http://www.povertystopshere.org/

Poverty Stops Here partners with local charity organizations that can help build essential infrastructure in the communities we are working with. With the help of these local organizations, PSH conducts baseline studies in order to understand the struggles, cultures, and systems in place in these communities. Armed with this knowledge, PSH and its partnering organizations provide financial and technical assistance that help address basic necessities in the community. PSH then focuses on granting loans to people in these communities giving them the chance to pull themselves out of their economic situation. This not only allows recipients to become self sustainable, but encourages them to create opportunities for others. Investment Areas – Hand Pump Wells, Cassava Grinder, Microloans for small business enterprises, Child Sponsorship – (Education, Basic Health, and Food Security

Such an amazing company, and such an amazing couple. we feel so honored to be photographing their wedding!  stay tuned for more announcements for other winners!….