A Nigerian couple, Dr. Emmanuel Joseph and Grace Akpan, have captured hearts online after getting married following 18 years of dating. The two met as teenagers in secondary school and exchanged vows on October 11, 2025, in Akwa Ibom State, surrounded by family and friends.
To celebrate their journey from classroom crushes to life partners, they recreated an old photograph from their SS1 days in 2007. The nostalgic photo shoot, shared on Facebook, quickly went viral and drew admiration for their enduring love and commitment.
In a touching post, Grace shared how their relationship began as a teenage friendship that grew into a lifelong bond. She said, “My SS1 lover till Jesus comes. He kept to his words. He told me I would be his wife, and that promise has now become reality. Eighteen years ago, this man came to our school to begin his senior secondary classes. I couldn’t help but notice his cuteness and intelligence.”
Grace recalled being drawn to Emmanuel’s charm and how he constantly sought her attention in class. She said everyone spoke well of him and that he would often smile at her whenever their eyes met. Despite her teenage fears of getting pregnant and ruining her future, she stayed close to him as a reading partner, and their friendship gradually turned into love.
She remembered how Emmanuel used to borrow her notes and how his confidence impressed her. “I fell in love with him the first day he walked up to my locker in class and introduced himself. The day he wrote me a letter asking me to be his girlfriend, I couldn’t sleep. I kept reading it over and over, smiling at every word. Even though I made him beg, I eventually accepted to be his reading partner and friend,” she said.
Grace explained that her mother had warned her against dating in school, so she was careful to keep their relationship innocent. The two eventually became well-known in their school, serving as class prefects and later as school prefects.
She also shared memories of introducing Emmanuel to her aunt, Ofonmbuk, who she called her second mother. Her aunt supported their friendship after meeting him and affectionately nicknamed him “Ebe Eyen.” Grace expressed her sadness that her aunt, who always encouraged them to be good and make her proud, was not alive to witness their wedding.
She praised Emmanuel for showing her consistent love and respect throughout the years. “This young man has shown me nothing but true love for the past 18 years. He always says, ‘Baby, please don’t go anywhere, I am your husband.’ They say men are scum, but he has proven otherwise. Thank you for staying true, my king. Thank you for 18 years of pure love and understanding. It has always been you from the beginning — now let’s make it forever,” she wrote.
Photos and videos from their wedding and pre-wedding shoots have continued to trend on social media, with many people describing their story as the true definition of love.
Source: Punch News on 17 October 2025
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