A marriage 13 years in the making

By Adel Fruean 25 November 2018, 12:00AM

For Maika and Margaret Felise their union as man and wife was 13 years in the making.

Last Friday evening the couple returned to where it all began: Robert Louis Stevenson Museum. It was there where they were officially wedded by a Government official, in a simple ceremony witnessed by family and friends. 

Maika, 44, is the son of Vino and Tupai Felise and Margaret,42, is the daughter of Elisapeta and Sala Johnny Silva. They have three daughters and are currently staying at Nuu.

Thirteen years ago Margaret was working at the museum and her husband-to-be Maika went there for the Digicel opening. They met and exchanged pleasantries, had lunch and their relationship blossomed.

“We first met each other 13 years ago when I was working at this very museum at the time. He came for the opening of Digicel and it started with talking and then we had lunches together and then the rest is history,” she said. 

The couple are devout Roman Catholics, but the decision to have a simple wedding—minus the excesses of large Samoan family weddings—was deliberate.

“We always wanted a small wedding and in the end we fulfilled that wish today.  To us, we think that it is a big hassle for families when it came to preparing big weddings,” she said. 

And even the decision to get their nuptials blessed by a government official was deliberate.

The couple’s 13-year journey has had its challenges, admits Margaret, but it was worth the wait as they both wanted to be sure they were meant for each other. 

“Throughout our 13 years together, I can honestly admit that there were no challenges and difficulties. We may have disagreed sometimes, when it came to our kids, but I am happy to spend the rest of my life with him.

“The next step is more like I am officially a Felise before, I waited for the right time and I guess it was on this very day. It is better to be sure than to get divorced after marriage, so we waited and along the way we had children. I vowed to love him for the rest of my life the same way that I love my children,” she added.

Maika vowed that his heart would always belong to her and their children. 

“So far my heart has never changed ever since the first day I laid eyes on her, I knew she was the one I would grow old with and spend the remaining days of life with.

“I love everything about her and I feel different than not being married and being married is like saying she’s officially my girl,” he said. 

Margaret said her husband is reliable and she is fortunate and blessed to have found someone as caring and loving as him.

By Adel Fruean 25 November 2018, 12:00AM
Samoa Observer

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