Hyacinth Idibia is an artiste and Tuface's younger brother. Married to Sana, a Sierra Leonean actress, they talk about their seven-year-old union in this interview with Punch NG
How did you meet your wife?
Hyacinth: I met her in Nigeria when she came for a movie production. I was at the movie location to see someone when our paths crossed.
How did the relationship develop?
Hyacinth: We went through all the usual stages boys and girls go through when they meet for the first time; we kept going back and forth until we finally decided to get married. If something is yours, it will always come to you.
What has made your marriage successful?
Sana:I would say we are blessed. What keeps us together is the attraction. Being married to someone you are not attracted to raises an issue. I am attracted to him in every single way and I do not feel I am married to an old man. Also, we understand and respect each other.
Hyacinth: We have the fear of God in our lives and apply His principles in our marriage.
How do you cope with your cross-cultural marriage?
Sana:My husband is open and not rigid, even though we both live in the US, he is still a Nigerian. It is a matter of understanding and working together. When you are in love with someone, nothing is a big deal.
Did you learn to cook Nigerian meals?
Sana:All I did and still do is get the recipe and I would cook the food. I am African and I love to cook.
Was your family against your plans to marry a non-Nigerian?
Hyacinth: My family is liberal. I believe you can find love wherever you go. When I took her to meet my parents, their concern was her background- if she is from a good home and has a nice character.
How do you handle fans of the opposite sex?
Hyacinth: It is much easier for me as a married man to handle the opposite sex than when I was single. As a single guy, I had to do a lot of explanations but right now, I don't have to do that.
Sana:It is fine for fans to send messages or emails, but some people do not know their boundaries and that is when I give them a disgusting look. They understand what I mean without saying a word. Once they know you are married, they know their boundaries.
Does he help with chores?
Sana: He does not. What he likes to do is take the trash outside the house but he likes to cook sometimes and I get upset with that. His mother taught them to cook; he has no sister, just brothers.
