In Marriage, problems and struggles always arise; for some, the obstacles become so great that the only way to overcome them is through the permanent separation of their union. Unfortunately, most marriages end up doing it but is that actually a panacea? This is why there should be no limit to how couples should celebrate themselves so long as they continue to stay tied in peace, love and harmony. Therefore, if  you think that it is all an etravagant display of wealth and affluence, when couples call for a momentry celebration of their togetherness over a period of time,  then you may need to come in contact with divorcees, males, females, who could not tolerate  the heat of the cohabitation of two persons of different backgrounds made to act as one. Until you  understand why  a woman or man would resort to singlehood after testing marriage for a period of time,  even with children to their kitty, you would not see reason to applaud, appreciate those who still kept their nuptial knot tied for a period of time ranging from two years and above.
No wonder invitees  to magnificent events  like 70 years and above birthday anniversaries or 20 years and above marriage anniversary, are always enthusiastic to register their  attendance.  Their  enthusiasm I guess, may have been  spurred by a quest to use the occasion as a stepping stone in  their  own lives. For  me , not only do I  admire the celebrants,   I am inspired to toe their positive lines, for my own future.  I do believe that I am not alone in that world of people who get lost in  halucination, imagining themselves in the real action as  they watch the celebrating couples magestically March through the variedly colourful and  dignified congregation  of invitees.
The event of Tuesday, September  27, 2022,  calls to mind,  the scenerio highlighted above,  an occasion every sane mind  would always treasure as the crowd gathered to  savour the euphoria of a celebration of a milestone in marriage: The 40 years marriage anniversary of Amaopusenibo (Dr) Stephen & Dr (Mrs) Margaret Hart at St Cyprain’s Anglican Church, 37 Hospital Road, PortHarcourt, which  reception party took place at Hago Heights Event Centre, Peter Odili Road, Port Harcourt. It was indeed a convention of the creme de la societe’.  Of course, there couldn’t have been any better way to  congratulate a  woman who has put up with a  spouse she did not know from Adam,  for as long as 40 years.  She  accommodated his ugly sides and presented him to the outside world as one who knew no sin and so without blemish. How well also will a man  be celebrated for having a heart of gold for always willing to lose arguments, having patience, love and being faithful even when they got into big fights.
Hurray, Dr & Dr (Mrs) Stephen Hart have hit 40 years  mark!  A marriage that lasts  this long is considered a rare and beautiful thing, a blessing in disguise, and the celebration that accompanies this milestone  would remain memorable as it was quite colourful to behold. No doubt, when people get married, they unite with  the idea of having a life-long partner to share the beautiful moments in life.  For Dr & Dr (Mrs) Stephen Hart, 40 years in marriage were not 40 hours, 40 days nor 40 months in marriage. Any one who had gone through this journey like our celebrants would attest that  the cruise was never entirely  smooth but sometimes garnished with rough weather,  yet each season was recieved with utmost good faith, as they sailed together,  through thick and thin for as long as 40 years. A union divinely masterminded and blessed with four offspring, the couple’s strength no doubt,  had always been anchored on the fact that  the steps of the righteous are  ordered by God, as they have kept trusting in the Lord without  leaning on their own understanding. This is as they have made tolerance, consideration  for one another as well as  mutual respect key in their relationship.
They both may not have been any angel thrown down to dwell among mortals,no, but their ability to believe in the workability of their unity even though in diversity brought them this far. Today, this couple is celebrated as mentors, not only to upcoming couples, but also to those whose relationship dwindles, and are at the verge of collapse, who may be misled into thinking that divorce is a sucour worth seeking. To the young, they sue for commitment towards actualisation of God’s purpose in their union, laying greater emphasis on  the virtues of love,  patience, sincerity,  submission, and mutual respect.
Dr & Dr (Mrs) Stephen Hart believe that sound  communication with consideration for each other’s  feelings must be deliberately exercised to grease the wheel of  every marriage relationship. Above all, they enjoin other couples to cultivate the habit of praying together for each other, and be committed to the things of God, making Christ  the centre piece of their marriage and  the foundation of the union, seeing that we can do all things through his strengthening, as recorded in Philippians, 4:13.

By: Sylvia ThankGod- Amadi