People who say 'love is enough' for marriage have never paid school fees

I was counseling a young couple last week. Fine boy, fine girl. Both working. Both in love. When I asked them about their monthly expenses, the girl started crying. The boy was quiet. They had not discussed money once in two years of dating. Two years.

Look at it this way. Love is the foundation but it cannot buy Pampers. Love cannot pay WAEC fees. Love cannot do anything when your landlord shows up with that yellow paper. Our people say if you want to marry, first look at what the person carries in their hand, not what they say with their mouth. I have seen too many young people suffer because they thought strong feelings could conquer empty pockets.

Let me tell you something. I am not saying marry a rich person. I am saying marry someone who understands that life costs money. Someone who will not call you a materialist for asking about the budget. Someone who knows that love and finance are not enemies. They are partners. If you cannot talk about money before marriage, money will do all the talking after marriage. When did you last sit down with your partner and write down your actual expenses?