Friendship Turns Into Lifetime Commitment

Afriendship that began in 2014 has turned into a lifetime commitment for couple, Adi Kelera Sovasiga and Akaripa Rasumu Tuisawau, who tied the knot on April 16, 2022.

Adi Kelera, an outgoing, witty individual and our very own Climate Watch journalist said ‘I do’ in front of close friends and family to Mr Tuisawau, an ICT technician.

It was a chance meeting in 2014. The two met during an interdenomination ministry outreach where a group of friends decided to give back to the community.

They pitched in what they had and together fed about 30 homeless in Suva at the time.

On a fortnightly basis, the group called, Fortunate Ministry, fed and clothed people who called the streets their home.

The ministry had progressed into other towns like Tavua and Rakiraki.

Adi Kelera lived in Lautoka while Mr Tuisawau lived in Suva. And it was through this initiative that Adi Kelera and Mr Tuisawau met.

As their outreach grew, so did their fondness for each other.

They say that love is built on friendship and so began what would turn into courting and eventually an engagement in 2020.

Adi Kelera hails from Nabukeru Village in the beautiful Yasawa Group while Mr Tuisawau hails from Natauloa Village in Nairai, Lomaiviti Group.

The two islands have a strong relationship called tauvu.

It is a form of mutual relationship where the two parties exercise certain privileges of appropriation and ill-manners, called veitauvutaki. In other words, they can spoil each other to their heart’s content.

But regardless of their traditional ties, God and communication has always been the pillar of their relationship.

Scan QR code to view more wedding pics “Communication and honesty have been the most important characteristics we have had to learn in order to maintain this relationship,” Mr Tuisawau said. “No relationship is perfect; hence our disagreements (plural) were mainly based on the lack of those two factors.

“It’s more of a culmination of events that have helped us realise how important it is to be communicative and honest at all times regardless of the situation and outcome. “We’ve had our share of ups and downs and we would not have made it if it weren’t for our trust in God.

“We believe that uniting, as one has been part and partial of God’s predestined plan and purpose.

“We were meant to be together no matter what life threw our way.”