MODULE 2A
Love and Wisdom
On the 28th of May, 2023, I marked my 70th birthday, and on the 29th of July, 2023, I celebrated it formally. On the 20th of August of the same year, my husband and I marked our 46th wedding anniversary. In 2025, we celebrated 48 years in this journey of marriage— a journey of love, friendship, patience, shared challenges, valuable lessons, growth, and victories.
The theme of my birthday celebration, “70 Years of Lessons & Experiences: Growth, Victories, and Becoming,” was a reflection of my life’s journey and the wisdom gained along the way.
My relationship with the love of my life, Dr. Maduka Nwakwesi, transcends the role of husband and wife. He is my friend and business partner, and this multidimensional connection has made our bond deeply fulfilling.
Though we have faced challenges—even during pleasurable times—God has always been on our side, enabling us to overcome and emerge stronger and victorious together.
We are blessed with responsible children, wonderful spouses, and thirteen adorable grandchildren. For this priceless gift of family, we give God praise and adoration.
During moments of reflection, I often ask myself what has contributed most to the success of my marriage. The answer that consistently comes to mind is simple yet profound: my husband is a genuinely good human being.
He is compassionate, deeply caring, and always willing to help others. Compassion, I have learned, flows naturally from inner peace. A person who is at peace with themselves, their environment, and God has the emotional capacity to think about others.
I can confidently say that entering a relationship or marriage with someone who is internally at peace is one of the wisest decisions anyone can make. Such a marriage has a strong foundation for success. God blessed me with a man who embodies this peace, and Maduka remains a gift I am eternally grateful for.
My parents enjoyed a strong and loving marriage. I never witnessed violence. Their disagreements were brief, resolved quickly, and never eroded their friendship or respect for each other. They communicated well and supported one another wholeheartedly.
Building the Right Relationship
As I grew into adulthood, I was never anxious about finding the right partner. My upbringing and family experience instilled confidence that I would build a successful marriage.
Many people, however, long deeply for fulfilling relationships and often experiment with multiple connections—some pleasurable, others painful, and some destructive. While many dream of fairy-tale romances, true love requires depth, patience, and emotional maturity.
To build the right relationship, worry less. Many people sabotage their relationships by focusing excessively on the future rather than enjoying the present moment. Insecurity, if left unmanaged, can become paralyzing and destructive.
Statements such as “I don’t think you love me anymore” or “Do you still love me?”, when repeated frequently, can create a self-fulfilling prophecy that slowly erodes emotional connection.
Building the right relationship requires intentionality. Both individuals must commit to loving themselves first, cultivating inner peace, and developing a healthy sense of self-worth.
Emotional dependency, constant demands, or an inability to give selflessly can place significant strain on any relationship. Likewise, obsession with marriage—especially early in a relationship—can hinder natural growth and create unnecessary pressure.
Happiness is a critical pillar of lasting relationships. True happiness must come from within and not be solely dependent on external factors such as gestures, money, or the promise of marriage.
How to Strengthen Your Relationship
In my counselling experience, stress-related challenges are often rooted in relationship difficulties. Today, many families struggle with unhappy marriages, separation, and divorce. Strengthening relationships requires wisdom, intentional effort, emotional maturity, and a willingness to grow—together.