I had to get her past security on her first day, and I got her name wrong. Instead of Sasha, I called her ShaSha, and she gave me some wicked side eye and said, “It’s Sasha.” In my head I was like, “Which too-known girl kraa be this?” Later, during the induction session where I was presenting, someone gbaa, and we were the only two who caught on. We both tried to hide our laughter. Then our eyes met.

On her birthday, I saw a lot of people wishing her a happy birthday, cos we had a couple of WhatsApp groups in common. So I texted her, “Happy birthday!” and she responded with so much excitement, lmao: “LIOONELLLLLL, thank you so much!”

I was crossing the road to go and eat when I saw her, and our eyes met. I went in to give her a hug. When I sat down, I told Beezy, “Chaley, that’s the girl o!” because I had told the boys about her in the group chat on the first day we met. We started talking, and I really enjoyed her vibe, so I asked her out for drinks. She went like, “Are you asking me out on a date?” I said, “No, it’s just drinks,” lol.

By the end of that first date, I had no doubt I was going to marry her. Picture the scene: we were alone at this rooftop restaurant, the wind blowing. I had gone to use the washroom, and as I walked back, her back faced me, the wind blowing her hair. I stood there for a few seconds, and in that moment I just knew. She was on a call with her brother, Dela, and I told her right after the call ended.

It’s still so crazy to me, because I don’t know how I knew. I just knew I wanted to spend the rest of my life with her.

I started planning this with Lisa (OMG, I appreciate her so much). Somewhere in March, I called her and said I wanted to propose to Sasha. I knew I wanted it at The Mix, in the gallery, so I made some enquiries, and luckily the person who picked up had helped organise a proposal there before. Shoutout to Emefa at The Mix, so so helpful! The hardest part was keeping it all from Sasha, because I am literally always on the phone with her. But we found a way.

Then a work trip came up around the time I had booked The Mix, which meant I was going to miss my own proposal, so I was lowkey panicking. I spoke to my amazing boss, who did not know I was planning a proposal (we were still very lowkey about the relationship at work), so I explained without giving too many details, and she managed to get me a flight back in time. It all worked out, I guess. I landed in Ghana and went straight for a haircut (I had to look good for my wife-to-be). Lisa and I even changed the way we saved each other’s contacts: she was Aunty Olivia, and I was Kwamena CFCC. Whatever happened, she would say, “Don’t worry, I will handle it.”

I was lowkey nervous, waiting for her to walk up. Bear in mind, I had been doing rehearsals at the apartment with Akosua, Anthea and the boys, lmao. (I actually really love my friends, man.) Then she walked up the stairs. She was so surprised, and I was so happy, and all I wanted was for her to walk to me so I could hug her. When we were finally together, I forgot everyone else was there. I held her close and whispered a few words, just for her, to help her calm down, the kind of things only she will ever hear from me. Then I got down on one knee, I proposed, and she said YES!