In a joint interview with Punch, Delectable Actress and mother
of 3, has revealed how she met her husband, how he proposed, how his
honesty/truthfulness gets her mad, and why she can never cheat plus how
she trusts her husband with the whole of her heart.
Read excerpts below: 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. How did he propose? 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.’
Mercy Johnson Kids.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 unclad 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 criticize 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.
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