Jonathan and Tonia got married on December 31, 2022. But their journey started way back in primary school when they developed a friendship that has lasted to date. They say being best friends makes trust and communication; some of the most important aspects of any marriage, easy.
Dressed in a flowing white gown while he, in a grey suit, Jonathan and Tonia Ssempa were all smiles knowing that their friendship that had started in primary school at Greenhill Academy in 2005 had finally led them to this; their wedding day. Although they had separated in high school, Namilyango College for Jonathan and Marymount International School in Rome, Italy for Tonia, the two remained close.
During childhood, Jonathan says, Tonia was quite fun and welcoming. On the other hand, Tonia says, Jonathan was friendly and always attended her birthday parties.
“Because we had been friends since primary school, even when we were separated during high school, it was easy to keep in touch. We were each other’s go-to person and we would share our unique yet somewhat similar experiences about Uganda and Italy,” the couple says.
When asked what makes Tonia an amazing person, Jonathan says she is loving and a fun person to be around. She also has a smile that brightens up a room.
Tonia on the other hand says Jonathan is kind, caring, always there for her and easy to communicate with.
Falling in love
While at university, Jonathan realised that the feelings he had for Tonia went beyond just a friendship and he could not imagine losing her to someone else.
“One day, I came across a Yoruba proverb which says, ‘A man who hangs around a woman without stating his intentions will fetch water at her wedding.’ I could not let this happen since losing her to another man would haunt me for life. Even though she was still abroad studying, I told her how I felt and that I would wait for her,” he says. Click to read more
