Derrick was smitten by Edith’s generosity and understanding nature. PHOTOS | COURTESY
First comes love, then comes marriage, then comes baby in the baby carriage! This is just one of those sing-song verses chanted by any little girl that dreams of a Cinderella wedding. While this seemed like the natural order in the early life of Edith Ninsiima, her first proposal was that of a child.
“I want you to give me a child,” Derrick Asingwire proposed to her, a thought that she found rather funny. She says, “It was a rare statement to hear him approach me in that way and I told him it would require that he first visits my parents’ home before the children come.”
Derrick was convinced by her virtues of understanding, generosity and true love would make a wonderful mother. He confirms, “I saw a nurturing character of a mother in her because of how she handled herself and her great advice.”
According to divorceandfamilymedicationcenter.com, having a child out of wedlock does not hold the stigma it once did.
The website reads, “Now, having a child out of wedlock has actually become a lifestyle choice for women who are tired of waiting for Mr Right and want a child with or without a husband.”
Nevertheless, Edith was committed to walk a journey of love and patience with Derrick as she envisioned a humble and hardworking life partner in him.
Falling in love
The couple had their first encounter in 2014 at the workplace during an Obulamu campaign in Kabale. Edith says Derrick was the most hardworking on the team. Derrick on the other hand was smitten by her generosity and understanding nature.
He shares, “It was true love from the go when I met Edith at a health campaign called Obulamu. We got to spend a lot of time together in movements where we had to sensitise communities."
He reminisces on the cold weather in Kabale which only was made a walk over only because he had Edith on the team. Later, that day he took her on a date at a restaurant where they continued their conversation. During their first meet, Derrick was sure on which steps he had to take. He says, "I understood my background and what I needed for my future. She was right In front of me. I was in love with Edith."
Proposal
The proposal he notes was something he wanted to do at the right moment so he waited till the first visit to Edith's parents' home.
She reminisces, "He proposed to me at my father's home in Seeta Bajjo on December 16, 2017." It was then that he shared with her family the church idea noting that this was his grandfather's
wish (Late Eleazar Baguma).
He said to him, "it should end in holy matrimony," something to which Edith was excited to learn but still insisted that he approaches her father over it.
Challenges
It was a long journey but full of love for the love birds as they recount on numerous attempts to generate a budget for the wedding which only was brought to life after 8 years. Their greatest setback they mention was procrastination.
They narrate, “It took us two years to handle the budget on introduction but this was only made possible by a strong support system of family."
The couple also reflect on a number of challenges along the journey which they believe they were able to overcome through sticking to each other and keeping hope and love alive.
The wedding
Early into 2022, Derrick concluded on the wedding dates, and walked into St Phillip and Andrews Cathedral in Mukono to pay church fees and have the special day fully booked. With a budget of Shs30m, the couple exchanged their vows on April, 27 2024, blessed by Rev Canon Titus Baraka and hosted their guests to a treat at Lekasa Gardens in Mukono.
To make this happen they reveal, “we counted on our personal savings, contributions such as financial and emotional from family, friends and employers to soothe preparations." Away from what some couple may attest to as stressful service providers, this was far from the love birds.
They explain, “We honestly did not get any challenges with service providers as they delivered in time as agreed."
To achieve a smooth planning, Edith tips,“ Understand your preferences and make sure you reecho them clearly to the service providers or handlers and also consider the number of guests when planning venue, decoration and other services."
