Nigerian author Enewerome might be new to publishing books but she and her husband Ikennam are no strangers to love. Her writing is inspired by their own love story, including her latest romance novel No One But You, Oreva which is also one of our September ’25 Reading Is a Lifestyle Christian Subscription Book Picks. So, if you love love or are worried that meeting a godly spouse might not happen for you, keep reading to be encouraged on your journey.
What year did you start dating?
Enewerome & Ikennam: We started dating August 2017 and broke up August 2020. Then we got back together in March 2021, got engaged that same year in July and got married in September (all in 2021).
Share something that the LORD has showed you about yourself in marriage.
Enewerome: The Lord has definitely taught me to be more patient, to learn what battles are worth fighting or addressing and which ones to ignore.
Ikennam: The Lord has taught me to love my wife as Christ loves the church, which has consequently taught me to be more patient with things other people might consider as flaws. For example, the relationship between Christ and His bride (the church) is one of sacrifice on His part because even when the church is less than perfect, His love still stands.
What is one of the most rewarding things about being married?
Enewerome: For me, it would be our daughter. I love so many things about my marriage but seeing God’s gift to us in human form tops it all. If I weren’t married, I wouldn’t have her. So, she’s the most rewarding part of my marriage.
Ikennam: I would say that getting married has brought God’s increased favor and blessings in my life. I’m a living example of Proverbs 18:22.
What is one of the most challenging things about being married?
Enewerome: In the first few months, seeing firsthand how different we are was a lot! It’s one thing to date someone and another thing to marry them and move in together. Initially, I would complain about how my husband wasn’t doing things the way I liked, and I became a nag. I had to learn to be more accommodating and also remember that I was also doing things the way he wasn’t used to.
Ikennam: The first year of our marriage was not all rosy. We had our differences, and it took a lot of work and patience to get used to the fact that we weren’t raised the same way. And so naturally, we would do things differently.
How has marrying another Christian impacted your faith in Jesus Christ?
Enewerome: When I get an instruction or revelation from God, the first (and oftentimes only) person I tell is my husband, and he encourages me. Before we got married, he supported the publishing of my first Christian romance story and that support has only increased. Also, the vision I have for our home is exactly the same one he has and it just makes parenting our child the godly way less stressful.
Ikennam: Marrying a fellow believer makes marriage so much easier since we are on the same page. I don’t have to enforce or explain certain spiritual exercises that are necessary for our family. It generally makes it easier for me to serve God as I have my wife to encourage me.
What advice would you give to couples who are engaged to be married?
Enewerome: If you are a believer, make sure your significant other is a believer too. Not just a believer in words but someone who shows the fruit of the Spirit in their everyday life. They should also be doctrinally compatible with you so that there won’t be clashes in your home regarding certain Christian practices. You should also be certain that you are both on the same page when it comes to your non-negotiables for a happy and healthy marriage. This can include how you handle finances, how many kids to have, if you want kids and when you want them, what church to attend after marriage; if it’s a long-distance relationship, who will be moving; etc. In addition, learn how to manage your family and protect your partner from them as the need arises. Finally, the closer you are to the Lord, the closer you will be to one another. Never leave God out of your relationship and future marriage.
Ikennam: Keep God at the center of your marriage because the longevity of your marriage is determined by how close your relationship with God is. Read books on marriage and learn how to have healthy communication and conflict resolution.
Describe your love story in one word.
Enewerome: Fated
Ikennam: Fulfilling
Order your copy of Enewerome’s novels No One But You, Oreva and Ready to Be Loved by You at Shelves Bookstore. Become a Reading Is a Lifestyle Book Subscription Member and receive an automatic 20% member discount off every book in your cart at checkout (excluding sale items). This discount goes into effect as soon as you add our subscription to your cart!
