On 14th of February individuals all over the world come together to celebrate Valentines with their loved ones through exchanging gifts and taking them out. However, a truly remarkable way of celebrating this day is to actually look back at your most significant partner and appreciate the journey you’ve both taken together, right?

Well Florent Nduwayezu, an Actuarial Science alumnus, decided to dedicate this Valentine’s Day to his longtime girlfriend highlighting the importance of love, friendship and commitment in a relationship.

Florent Nduwayezu

Florent has been in a relationship with his “Kenyan girlfriend”, as he proudly likes to confess, for about 5 years. Interestingly, their story began 12 years ago, “I met her one week after I landed in Kenya, we were good friends all through campus. We both did Actuarial Science,” he remembers. What started as a friendship gradually blossomed into romance.

Looking back, he believes her personality drew him to her. “She was bubbly, that made me like her,” he admits. Over the years, however, he has come to appreciate her even more, particularly her kindness and patience. “I tend to be very Impatient, so having her as a partner has been of great help to me, she has taught me patience.”

After graduating, their relationship took a deeper and more serious turn. “She had gone to work in Kericho, and I was in Nairobi, that’s when I asked her to be my girlfriend,” he recalls. They soon embarked on a long-distance relationship, a journey that strengthened their bond and ultimately tested their commitment to each other.

He notes that effective communication and discipline became the bedrock to their already brewing love. “The Transition felt natural and not overly challenging.” Reflecting back, he appreciates how much their relationship has evolved throughout the years.

“We have grown so much. She was more extroverted when we met, but over the years, she has become more introverted. She prefers staying at home, while I am the social bird in the relationship. It has helped us strike a balance,”  he adds.

On matters of valentines, Florent shares that it holds little significance to him. “Our Anniversary which is on 11^th of April, is more special to me. Every month on the 11th, we go out or exchange gifts to commemorate it.” he says.  On the flip side, his partner eagerly looks forward to Valentines. “Since it is special to her, I will have to get her something, of course in addition to the Newsletter, she has no idea about this feature, it will be a great surprise!” 

Last year, their families finally met. “My parents flew from Burundi to Kenya to meet her family. It was a very smooth introduction, my partner had earlier raised concerns about the difference in our cultures, being that she is Kamba and I am Burundian, I assured her everything would go on well. Since their Introduction, both families have become close. “Despite our cultural differences, both families have been very receptive to our relationship. I have also maintained close ties with her family.”

To the young men still pursuing and hoping to find their valentines, Florent highlights that rejection is a common experience, especially in the early days. He encourages them to engage with women without fear and to focus on building genuine friendships that can morph into meaningful relationships. “Be confident. Rejection can sometimes be a blessing. If you get rejected, don’t keep pursuing that one person, that can be considered as harassment,” he advises.

To his Valentines, he envisions a bright future. “To my Valentines, I am very excited about our future, I can’t wait for us to get married, have kids and build a home together,” he concludes.

Article written by Gertrude Wachira