They prepared me for marriage
- Vonayi Nyamazana
- 1 day ago
- 1 min read
I had an unforgettable bridal shower — or as we called it back then in Zimbabwe, a kitchen party.
The purpose? To give me a crash course on everything marriage.
How to be the perfect wife.
How to be a loving partner.
How to please my husband.
How to run a beautiful home.
How to cook, nurture, serve...
I was only 26. Full of dreams, excitement, and — if I’m honest — a lot of silent anxiety. Because it all seemed to hang on me: be the best wife, the best mother, the best cook, the best lover, the best homemaker. No pressure, right?
Aunties, friends, sisters, colleagues — they all poured in advice, stories, warnings, recipes, secrets. It was a rite of passage many of us shared.
But amidst all that wisdom and laughter, did anyone whisper about menopause?
Did anyone tell me to expect a season when my body, mind, and emotions might shift so drastically?
Did anyone say, "Prepare your marriage for this too"?
No. Not a word.
Today, as a Community Menopause Champion, I see so clearly how important it is for couples to understand this season — together.
Menopause can shake even the strongest marriages. But it doesn’t have to break them. With knowledge, empathy, and teamwork, it can become a chapter of deeper connection and renewed partnership.
I believe we need to change the narrative — from silence to open conversations. From shame to shared strength. From "just survive" to thrive together.
Because knowledge is power. And prepared love is enduring love.
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