and Her Husband which she fondly calls Odi opened up on
how they met, their bond, why they named their daughter
purity, why they would never cheat on each other, amongst
others.
Grab a seat, popcorn and cold ice water as you enjoy this
interview…
How did you meet each other?
Odi: I met Mercy for the first time in 2008 on a flight from
France. We both flew Business Class and I asked for her
number but she refused. She was very down-to-earth even
as a celebrity. I know how a lot of them behave but she is
different. Being very focused and a go-getter, I did
everything I could just to have her including her number
after I set my eyes on her.
Mercy: After the flight episode, he came around to Surulere
where I was getting my hair done at a saloon. Somehow, he
had gotten my number and we spoke. We talked and later
had dinner.
Was it a case of love at first sight for both of you?
Odi: Yes, it was. I realised in no time that she is homely and
everyone who comes in contact with her just loves her.
Mercy: I love his personality and I am in love with
everything about him. He knew I was an actress but he
didn't know I was that popular. I remember the very first
day I got to his house, he asked someone to buy some
condiments for me to prepare soup for him. Then, I said,
'You must be joking, my name is Mercy Johnson' and all he
said was, 'I know.' That simple action drew me closer to
him.
On How He Proposed
Mercy: During a conversation, he suggested that we take
our relationship to the next level. While we were dating, I
knew we would get married because he became a part of
my life and we were very passionate about each other.
There was a day we attended a wedding and he said, 'I think
our wedding cake should have a tint of this colour.'
Any jitters when you were going to meet his parents for
the first time?
Mercy: I met his parents on our third date and his mum
liked me— she is a fan of my movies.
Were you prepared for the attention that comes with
being married to a celebrity when you decided to marry
her?
Odi: Yes I was. As a matter of fact, she was a star when I
met her but not as big as she is right now. I have decided to
remain on the quiet side and watch her excel in her career
and I am extremely proud of her.
Was he comfortable with your movie roles?
Mercy: He wasn't comfortable with the romantic scenes. I
stopped taking up such roles in 2009 when I realised we
were getting serious and headed for marriage. I was so in
love with him that I started adjusting my lifestyle and
personality to suit him. He is enlightened and well-travelled.
He understands the demands of my job and has no
problems with my career. He simply gives me space to fly.
What sacrifices did you make for your marriage to
work?
Mercy: I learnt how to speak his language, Ishan, in less
than a year. It wasn't difficult for me because I was crazy
about him. I bought CDS and Ishan literature and my
husband also spoke the language to me whether I
understood or not. I also wanted to be part of the
discussions as well. It didn't take me up to five months and I
already knew the basics before we wedded. Also, I cut down
on my nude dresses. He made me understand that with
age, you have to let go of certain things because life is a
phase.
Do you watch her movies?
Odi: No. That is because I don't really have time to watch
Nollywood movies. I would rather watch the news and a
little bit of soccer whenever my busy schedule permits me.
How do keep the spark burning in your union with the
birth of your children?
Odi: We crack a lot of jokes and play together because she
is my best friend. I confide in her always and she is also
supportive of me as well. We go to quiet places together
and also attend family engagements. With the birth of our
kids, I haven't loved her any less; in fact I call her my
daughter.
Mercy: I buy funny cards, which I slip into his pockets, and
then he would jokingly remind me about the fact that I have
two children. I also dress skimpily in bum shorts and
parade in the room whenever he is around.
What attribute do you admire the most in your spouse?
Odi: My wife is an extension of myself and vice versa. When
I met her, she was not a strong Christian but now I can say
she is stronger than I am. She does all the praying for the
family and I am very proud of her.
Mercy: It is hard to choose because Odi is the human
definition of perfection, I can't explain it. He completes and
makes me a better person in all ramifications. I might have
made a lot of errors if I hadn't met him—I see some of my
old pictures and cannot believe I dressed skimpily. You may
think you are living the career but you are making errors.
Our daughter, Purity, will grow up someday and see those
things and I will have a lot of explanations to make.
What do you not like about your wife?
Odi: Absolutely nothing. She does everything I like and that
has kept us strong.
Mercy: My husband is too truthful and that gets me upset
sometimes. He doesn't pretend at all.
Why did you name your daughter Purity?
Odi: My wife has a heart of gold—she is kind and pure. She
is without blame or blemish. I decided to name her after
the qualities I see in her mum.
How do you handle disagreements?
Odi: We hardly disagree but since we wedded, I don't think
we have had any reason to invite a third party. We play a lot
and handle issues maturely.
Mercy: He apologises in funny ways. Since I had the baby,
whenever he offends me, he will play a particular CD and
then teases me. He simply does things that make me laugh.
Do you run a joint account?
Mercy: He is concerned about the welfare of the family and
has been like that from the outset of our relationship. While
we were dating, he would give me money to make my hair
and buy make-up irrespective of the fact that I also earn my
own money. He does things that every husband should do
for his wife. It was his idea. I am the sole signatory but my
money is not in the account.
Odi: I love her dearly and I just want her to be independent
and have access to funds whenever she desires without my
permission.
You wedded at the peak of your career. Was it a
difficult decision to make?
Mercy: A lot of people asked me this question when I was
getting married but at that point in my life, there was
nothing too big to let go, even now. I am willing to let go of
everything to be with him and be happy. I am not in
competition with anybody. I want to be married, I want to
be with a man, just the way God has asked it be. I don't
want to take his role as a helper. He is an introvert and can
stay at home all day when he isn't working but I am the
extrovert and we complement each other perfectly.
Odi: My wife has maintained a good reputation in the
industry by the grace of God and I played a little role as her
husband.
What is the most memorable moment in your
marriage?
Odi: We celebrated our last wedding anniversary and her
birthday at the Virginia Beach in the USA. It was a very good
time together.
Prior to your wedding, an ugly incident threatened the
existence of your union…
Odi: It was quite unfortunate. We thank God that we are
happy and everything is well. Some people always say that
our marriage will not last. Truth is, our love is built on the
solid rock of Christ and based on that, we will keep waxing
stronger.
What are some of the lessons learnt from the incident?
Odi: I learnt a lot and only people who are close to me
know my story. The propaganda was from people who do
not know my family or me. What God has joined together,
no man can put asunder.
Did it test the strength of your love for your husband?
Mercy: Yes, it did and I did not lose any friends because I
never really had any. I got to understand the mindset of
people who believe it is hard for you to be happy for
someone when you don't have what they have. They
criticise what you have, yet they pray everyday for it. It
taught me to always think of myself first because people will
always have opinions.
What has marriage taught you?
Mercy: Patience and it has changed everything about me—
this is a brand new me. It is possible that my husband
attends a party and my movie is being shown. I have to do
things that represent him well at all times. Ever since I had
my daughter, I learned to appreciate other children and
humanity the more. My husband and children are top on
my priority list at the moment and acting is secondary. I
would let go of everything for them.
Do you have similar friends?
Mercy: I don't have friends at all and Odi is my best friend.
As a policy, I never lie to my husband that is why I can't hide
anything from him. We have acquaintances but no close
friends.
Can you cheat on your spouse?
Mercy: Never! Moreso, I have absolute trust in him.
Odi: God forbid that I do such.
What does Valentine and love mean to you as a couple?
Odi: Love means Mercy. We plan to have a quiet outing and
take my family out to dinner. If I have any reason to love,
then I must love her over and again in my lifetime.
Mercy: God is love but if I have to give love a second
definition, I would say, love is Odi.
No comments:
Post a Comment