Ireti & Jesse

When Jesse and I first met at our college ministry, it was definitely not love at first sight. Two different-looking people from two completely different backgrounds with very different interests in life. I’m Nigerian-American and Jesse is from a Mennonite background. What could be appealing about total opposites? So, we stamped “friend zone” on each other’s foreheads and kept it moving.

But somehow, only by the grace of God, did we find ourselves sitting across from each other on our first date at a local sandwich shop, thinking “Maybe... This could really... Work?” Maybe our differences are what could make us so beautiful.

So we jumped in, head first, and said ‘YES’ to see where this would take us, and we are so thankful that we did. It hasn’t been easy: We’ve had many, many hard conversations about our racial and cultural differences and the tension that comes with that. But I’m so thankful for this journey we have chosen because we now have the opportunity to be witnesses as to how you don’t have to look or be exactly the same as your partner for your relationship to be successful.

When you put in the work to appreciate each other fully, and you press into those tough conversations and seasons that come with your differences, something truly beautiful can emerge out of it. - Ireti