“I turned Him Down Numerous Times, But He Didn’t Pay Heed!” – Ann & Benson

The couple tied the knot on 18th December, 2020!

Bride: Ann Hope Birabwa, a Radio and TV presenter and producer & Fashion Designer

Groom: Benson Sseruwagi, an IT personnel working with The American Airforce

Reception venue: Speke Resort Munyonyo

Date: 18th December, 2020

We first met at a church event, but never really talked that day. The next time we met and talked was on Facebook back then in 2014. He loved charity and since I was working with children, he said he felt led to support my cause to support children. I remember assuring him firsthand, that his support should end at helping children only! Hahaha and I was so tough. I didn’t want anyone to mess with me up 🤣🤣😂😂

Our friendship went on till 2015 when my dad had to undergo an operation, and he was so available to support me. He then showed interest but I turned him down completely but he kept trying to push his way.

In 2017, he flew into the country, took me out and officially asked me to be his wife. I said No!
He had bought me so many gifts and took me to a nice hotel (Revolving Hotel)etc but I wasn’t interested in this ride hehehe, my heart was actually into another person🙈 but hmmm this guy was determined . He traveled back to the States but continued supporting my children ministry even after I turned him down.

Engagement

After 4 years of friendship and constant turn downs, Ben asked me out for a time he said would be the very last, that was on 4th June 2018. By then I was nursing a broken heart and I didn’t want anything called a man asking me out again; I wanted to concentrate on ministry and building my career. We, however, had built strong trust and loyalty between eachother. I would talk to him about even the most annoying guy that walked my way and during all moments, he was a great shoulder of comfort and did a lot to restore ny confidence.

When he returned in December that year, he visited my parents and they embraced him with love. My spiritual father, Ap Grace Lubega gave us his blessing and supported the union.
On the 12th of December 2019, Ben got me engaged at Speke hotel on a romantic dinner. We later did our Kukyala; days after and our introduction which climaxed the year in love on the 21st of December, 2019.

Our wedding was meant to happen on my birthday the following year but Covid sabotaged all our plans. Nonetheless, as faithful as God is, Ben fulfilled his promise and wedded me on December 18th, 2020 in a colorful wedding. He honored me, my parents, my spiritual fathers and God. I’m excited walking this journey with my best friend; the most loving and patient man my life has encountered.

Planning the wedding

Unlike many couples who get to plan for their weddings together, within the same location or country, mine has always been long distance. Since I’m into events planning and management(doing an online short course), I sat down with my best friend Anita and planned my wedding. We listed down the service providers we wanted to use, venue and anything else we wanted. We took about two months praying about them. We talked to God about all our service providers. Being a pandemic, we didn’t really expect much from people. We prayed and trusted God more, we saved some bit of the money but honestly God let everything fall in place. He was our true source.

My husband worked extra hours and jobs to constantly send in money to keep depositing to the service providers. I also birthed ANNZ Collection which contributed some income to the planning. We watched many successful events, read about many nice things like decor, photoshoots and fashion to add detail to our event.

I developed strong relationships with all my service providers and I constantly checked on them and ensured my date was safe. All this happened while we kept the dates amongst the 3 of us; I , my husband and our best friend Anita. So as the months drew closer, we let other people know and those that could, stood with us. Most of the support I personally received was from unexpected people like my clients, my fans on radio and TV and followers on social media. It was so humbling how God uses the most unexpected to bless you but we thank God we went through it well.

Just like any other event, there were some shortcomings from some service providers that brought a toll of emotions on the wedding day because imagine not having your Entourage(bridesmaids) on your special day; but somehow God saw us through the time.
For me in all this, I’ve learnt to trust God for even the smallest detail of my life. He knows how to fix the broken parts and gives glory where the devil meant complete evil.