The past six months breezed past us like nothing and now we were getting married, traditionally. It still felt like yesterday I got engaged to Nicholas. To this day, I've caught myself staring at the ring in disbelief. We landed in Nigeria a week ago for the traditional wedding preparations and yesterday, we flew to my hometown.

While I stayed at my father's house for the duration of the ceremony, Nicholas and his family lodged at a hotel. He couldn't stay with me until the wedding was over.

"How's the hotel? Have you settled in? I said into the phone, my body tucked under a duvet.

Nicholas released an elongated hum, clearly searching for the right sugar-coated words. "Er . . . it's alright"

I chuckled. "It's only for a few days"

I heard the creak of a bed frame in the background. "I know. It's fine"

I bit my lower lip. "Still excited to experience the traditional nuptials, tomorrow?"

"Oh, hell yeah. I literally can't wait for the event. I have my outfits laid out and everything" he said

"Good," I stifled a yawn. "We should get some sleep, it's going to be a long day tomorrow"

"Yeah. I'll see you tomorrow"

I smiled. "Good night,"

We hung up. Minutes later, just as I'd dropped my phone down to sleep, it chimed. I scooted to where I'd placed it, besides my pillow and peered at the screen.

Good Morning, Wife.

I buried my face into my pillow and giggled like a teenage school girl. Oh God, he's so cheesy. Picked up the phone and replied. Two can play that game.

Morning, Husband.

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"O ka na lahu ula?" My mother's voice bounced off the walls of my room. (Is she still sleeping?)

The bedroom door was thrown open and seconds later, the rays of a bright light burned my eyes through my lids. I groaned and rolled unto my other side, away from the jarring light. With my eyes still closed, I fought to hold unto the sweet sleep I'd been in minutes ago.

"Kwuni oto, osiso" my mom smacked my bottom. (Stand up, right now). "E ma ihe na aku?" (Do you know what time it is?)

I dragged myself to a sitting position and stretched. My eyes fluttered open right after I'd released a long yawn. My mother's glare was the first image that blessed my vision. Amarachi stood by the door frame, watching us like we were an animated movie.

"Mummy, Good Morning" I stretched out again.

"It's afternoon," she said, impassively.

"Jesus! It's a lie" I grabbed my phone from beside my pillow and checked the time. It was 8:05 am.

I released a sigh of relief, placing a hand over my chest. "Aah, mummy you scared me"

"Ah, mummy you scared me" Her face contorted as she mimicked me in a high-pitched voice. "Stand up, jare"

"Really mummy? You want to give me a heart attack on my wedding day" I cocked my head to the side

"Eehn, so you know it's your wedding day and you're still sleeping by this time" she mocked. "You better hurry up and have your bath because the make-up lady is here. You've not even done your hair sef."

I climbed out of bed and made a beeline to the bathroom in the corridor. There was a bucket of steaming hot water, waiting for me.

Last night, after I'd told Nicholas to go to sleep – he didn't. Instead, he called me and kept us both up till two am. Which was why I felt groggy and my lids were still heavy.

My mom informed me through the bathroom door that some of the male kinsmen were in the sitting room and they were checking to confirm that the things on 'the list' were complete. Once the Umunna's have confirmed that 'the list' was well apprehended and the bride price had been paid, they'll move unto the next event.

The next event was inviting the groom's people into the well-decorated compound. She hurried me throughout my entire bath because I'd soon be called out to welcome guests.

By eleven o'clock, I was halfway done with my make-up. The hairstylist had gelled up my hair and fixed a false bun at the tip. I didn't want the bun fixed into my hair directly so I opted for the one that can be removed after the whole thing. My sisters were all dressed in their matching traditional attires and their faces were already made-up. Whitney had another make-up artist doing her makeup right in the room with me. Kosiso was also dressed and seated in Amarachi's arm, mesmerized by the world of cartoons.

"Ngwanu, hurry up. They will soon call you to come and greet your in-laws" My mother popped her head into the room. She was already dressed in gele (head scarf), pieces of jewelry and all with light make-up on her face. She wasn't much of a makeup person.

"I'm almost done, ma" the make-up artist glanced up from my face.

"Ah ahn, see as mummy just set anyhow. Shey, you're the one getting married ni?" Chisom pointed out. (Look at mummy's get-up, Are you the one getting married?)

My mum gave us an exaggerated slow turn and then struck a pose. "Ehen now, today's also my day oo. Let me reap the reward of raising a child"

"Yes ooo" Whitney hollered from her seat and we burst out, laughing.

Once the make-up artist signified that she was done, Chisom passed a mirror to me. I inspected both sides of my face and gave the lady a pleased nod. My sisters passed my first dress to me which was for greeting the people who were outside. It was basically a presentation of the bride to the groom's family so they could see who they were marrying into their family. We were just following traditional rites because Nicholas's family had seen me before now.

My hands served as an umbrella, shielding my eyes from the bright afternoon sun. My father's compound had transformed for the event. There were canopies in whatever spot they could fit with tons of plastic chairs placed under them. Red and gold balloons floated off every pole on the canopy and the high table had a red and gold cover cloth decorated on it.

'Ada ada' by flavour blasted from the speakers as I danced to greet Nicholas's family and some of his aunts from both sides of his family that I'd just recently met. When they heard that he was getting married to a Nigerian woman and we were having our traditional marriage in Nigeria, they wanted to come and see how we did things.

They were all dressed in traditional attires and I thought it was nice that they respected my culture enough to dress alike us. Nicholas grinned like a Cheshire cat once our eyes met, amidst the crowd. I passed along a subtle wink before dancing past him.

Oh, it's hot. I smiled and waved at familiar and unfamiliar faces as I danced around the compound, my bridal train in tow. Uncles and aunties that I had seen in a long time all came over to spray money over me.

My mother danced over to me, all smiles and whispered into my ear. "Go and change into the second dress"

I danced back into the house to change into the second attire and also touch-ups. My sisters stayed back to pick up the money that was sprayed on me. I would always love Nigerian weddings.

The second dress was for the next order of events. In Igbo culture, the bride would be given a cup of palm wine, to look for her husband in the midst of the crowd by her father. This was the interesting and popular part.

In the meantime, while I changed, one of my uncles played the MC for the wedding. He introduced our culture to Nicholas's family, explaining our traditions and all. Frank was served kola nuts by my family and he reciprocated the action. Then he was requested to say a few good words about me; all these are part of traditions. Snacks like puff puff and fish rolls were served to the guests as a kind of starter before the main food.

"Let's call on our daughter to look for her husband," the MC announced

I was escorted to my father by my bridal train – Whitney, my sisters and some cousins. I knelt down before him. He said a few words in Igbo before handing me a cup of palm wine to look for Nicholas.

My dress wasn't exactly built for easy locomotion so my sister had to help me stand to my feet. 'Roju by Chike' began to play from the speakers. I glanced towards the last location I'd seen him but he had switched. Fair enough. I strained my eyes as I peered into the canopy, scanning every person as I danced past. It shouldn't be too hard to find him.

A few men beckoned to me so I'd give them the drink, it was just to make it fun. A smile graced my lips when I spotted Nicholas seated two canopies away. He tried blending himself in the middle of people but I still caught him.

I danced slowly till I got to him. Then I knelt down in front of him and presented the drink to him. "Did you really think you could hide from me?"

He nearly choked on his drink and I laughed. He drank a large amount and passed the remnant to me. He fished out some fresh prints from his pocket as I downed the liquid content and he placed the money into the cup.

"Are you enjoying yourself?" I whispered into his ears as he helped lift me up to my feet.

He nodded. "For the most part, yeah. I'm lost, in the other parts"

"Aw, sorry" I chuckled. I thought he was briefed properly by my elder brothers. "Okay, so now, we have to dance back to my dad. . . you know what, just follow my lead"

"Yes ma'am" he took my hand in his as we weaved through chairs and into the open ground.

Oh my God. I pouted my lips to hold back from blushing.

We danced back to my father and got on our knees. This was the main part of the whole event, it was basically where we traditionally became a couple. My father prayed and blessed the marriage.

After the prayers, we both headed to my house to change into another set of attire and come out to dance as a couple. This was the final outfit for the day. We would cut the traditional cake and our pictures would be taken as a couple in this attire.

During this changing period, assorted foods were served to the guests. The main dishes were Jollof rice and chicken with salad, Semo and Onugbu (bitter leaf soup) or Egusi soup, Abacha (African salad made from cassava) and Ukwa (breadfruit).

Nicholas and I returned minutes later, mostly because of the complexity of my dress. We moved to the section of the compound decorated for us and the photographers took lots and lots of pictures. My sisters also took pictures to post on their social media handles later in the day.

Kosiso was asleep in my mom's arms. I made sure I kept an eye on him at every given moment. The whole interracial marriage garnered a lot of people from my hometown, known and unknown. I couldn't account for the sanity of everyone on the premises so I ensured he was always with someone I knew and trusted.

"Open wide," Nicholas mouthed and wiggled his brows as lifted a piece of the wedding cake to my lips.

I slapped a hand over my mouth as laughter sputtered out. I glanced around for anyone who might've likely caught that but I was safe. "Stop," I mouthed and sent him a stink eye before allowing him to feed me cake.

I picked up a small piece of cake and lifted it to his lips. He bit into the cake and allowed his tongue to slide over my fingers. He chuckled at my flabbergasted expression. Excuse me, we're in the presence of people.

After the cutting of the cake, Nick and I moved to the centre of the compound to dance as a couple. Aunties and Uncles from both sides of our families came out to dance with us and most importantly, sprayed money. My sisters assigned themselves the task of picking every single note on the ground. They didn't even care to dance with us.

In the midst of the dancing, I was approached by my mum with a crying Kosiso. He outstretched his hand toward me as soon as I came into his view.

"My love," I took him into my arms and wiped his face.

His hands clung to my neck as his eyes swept over every person that neared us. Gradually, he stopped crying and rested his head over my shoulder. I placed kisses on his cheeks as I danced slowly to put him in a better mood.

Nicholas took over and lifted him into his arms. Soon enough, he smiled and then started to laugh. We continued to dance, get sprayed and take numerous photographs till the crowd began to disperse. Then, we finally had the chance to settle down and eat. Nick and I were glad the whole event went without a hitch.

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The list as the name implies is a compilation of items given to the family of the groom to submit by the bride's Umunna. The items include goats (male and female), yam, palm wine, live chickens, some amount of money, a crate of beer, a crate of malt, kola nut and so on.

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