Surprise @eveetim

Introduction

Surprises are unexpected events that happen to us or around us. It is unexpected or a surprise to us, because we never saw it coming or expected that it would happen to us.

However, a surprise could also be something we expected, but it came in a different way we had never imagined.

My cousin on red attire on my traditional wedding with me on sky blue attire

My surprise

During my marriage, I sent invitations as usual. My cousin, who was staying in another state, was always calling to know how things were done and how the preparation was going. She works with a busy organisation, and so I didn't expect her to come due to her tight schedule at work.

She has been a very loving soul that's why she was involved in the arrangements despite staying in another state. The date was fixed, and I didn't expect her because I understood what her job was.

Fast-forward to the day of the traditional marriage. She called early in the morning to know if I was already in the village and I said yes. She just asked how things would go, and I told her the arrangement. She prayed with me over the phone and also wished me well.

As usual in our tradition, the bride is always kept away from people to enable her dress. All this while, I never knew my cousin was around, she only wanted to surprise me when I was being brought out to be presented to the crowd. It was time for that and all my friends and family members lined up to dance with me to the crowd.

A picture of me dancing while being presented to the crowd

Then came my surprise, my cousin appeared amidst the crowd. I screamed! How did you get here? I asked. We hugged each other. I almost burst into tears if not that it would have ruined my makeup. I was so excited that, despite her support for me and her very tight schedule at work, she found time to be at the occasion. It was truly priceless to me, and I'll forever be grateful to my cousin for the sacrifice she made.

It was a very joyous moment for me that she came all the way just to be at the event.

• It showed how much she valued me and my big day and our relationship.

• It showed she was truly happy for me.

• It made me felt loved by her surprised presence at the event.

• It was nothing but I saw that as a sacrifice on her side.

Mentioning @drhira

Pictures are all mine

I'm inviting @nsisong2022, @missyleo and @tanay123