While the internet and social media may be agog with the sad news of Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie’s divorce, I dare say, there are several celebrity couples whose marriages and relationships are still going strong. Saw a post on lifestyle.one and tweaked it a little to suit my taste.

See, while you sit there mourning and spreading the distasteful bug about how marriages fail and relationships don’t work, while you infect others with your two pennies’ worth of bias counsel on how they should keep their love life secret and discrete for fear that it could crack, you know what…. just sit there! I actually have nothing to say to you.

Tiwa Savage’s troubled marriage would break the internet but featuring Omotola Jalade’s inspiring 20 years marriage would rattle some people’s nets. Pastor Chris Oyakhilome’s divorce tales would spread like wild fire but dare to eulogize Pastor Wale Afelumo’s incredible love for Uduak and they go, who are those? We are more inclined to share and spread negative vibes than we are to celebrate good news. It’s like people are lurking in the dark somewhere hoping you fail and crash so they will say, I told you so!’ It’s the way we are. So allergic to exciting, positive news. You are pathetically waiting behind the screen of your phones for the next break-up and the next gory news, tracking their lives, searching for cracks. Get a life!

This room is for good and inspiring news only. If you can’t appreciate the sweet aroma, leave the kitchen.

There are people who are working tirelessly and are staying committed to the oath they took. There are plenty of them. That they receive no press does not mean they don’t exist. That you don’t know them does not mean they are not real. And there are some, also, despite the bad press and the gossip they still remain strong together. And don’t tell me I don’t know what could be going on in their marriages/relationships. Of a truth, I really don’t know and I don’t want to. Because there are no perfect marriages anywhere. No perfect partner, no perfect relationship and no perfect situation. Yourstruly inclusive. It’s just two imperfect people doing their best to make perfect what they share together. One thing we all do is make good whatever we have. One thing we all do is work hard at what we got and make it work. If you faint in the day of adversity, your strength is little. If you cringe at the littlest sign of trouble, you no get liver.

So, today, I salute tenacity of purpose, I salute courage in the face of adversity, I salute stamina (Come on, if they’ve survived 10-15 years of being together, that’s stamina! Tell that to those who try to Trump the love you got going on!)

Look at their faces, they’ve weathered storm, they’ve beaten lack, they’ve crushed distrust and they’ve battered distress. And they have refused to give up. It only toughened them up. Still they’ve not arrived: new levels, new devils. The press have beaten them black and blue, said the worst about them and thrown darts at them. But they shook off the darts and kept on going. And they are soaring higher. The list is endless but for now, I’ve selected 15. And trust me, I will come back.
Well, you may say I should give them some time more, they will soon crumble. What do I say to you? Get help and get it fast.

Let’s list them already!

1. Denzel and Pauletta Washington

Denzel and Pauletta have been married for 33 years! That’s 33 years of falling and rising again, trusting and trusting again. They met on the set of Denzel’s first ever television film Wilma in 1975 and oh well, they are still laughing three decades after.

2. Will Smith and Jada Pinkett

You know them, they are always in the news. They should rank top in the list of those who have suffered bad press. The internet will never cease to bring out rumors of divorce about these two every year. It’s been 19 years, I’m sure there will still be divorce rumors when they mark 25 or 30 years.

3. David and Victoria Beckham

Posh and Becks have also scored 19 years and four kids too. Wouldn’t you ask how they did it?

4. Beyonce and Jay Z

While you sit there discussing cheating rumours and analysing the Lemonade album, they are busy cashing in the money. Queen Bey and Jay Z are still Crazy In Love after 14 years together.

5. Hugh Jackman and Deborrah-Lee Furness

Hugh and his wife Deborrah-Lee going strong since 1996. 20 years is not beans.

6. Fela and Tara Durotoye

Over 15 years. Our darlings are not relenting.

7. Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson

Tom and Rita have been happily married since 1988 and have two sons together.

8. Julia Roberts and Danny Moder

Yes, her first marriage to Lyell Lovett ended in 1995 after 21 months, Julia Roberts married Danny Moder in 2002. It’s been 14 years after. She probably learnt one or two lessons in the previous.

9. Omotola Jalade and Matthew Ekeinde

Still dating 20 years after.

10. Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew Broderick

They are nineteen going on twenty, looks like they are still in honeymoon.

11. Meryl Streep and Don Gummer

The duo has been married since 1996, a year after they first set eyes on each other.

13. Jerry and Jessica Seinfeld

The hilarious man and beautiful entrepreneurial wife married in late 1999 and the fun in their marriage is still on point.

14. Ben Stiller and Christine Taylor

It was a TV show Heat Vision and Jack that brought them together in 1999. It was destiny because they married the following year.

15. Olu Jacobs and Joke Silva

Our very own. They are generals and they have become role models for many. When you’re close to 30 years in the business, you are allowed to become an authority.

So, there you have them and there are still many unsung inspiring couples. You want to add to the list? Be my guest.