But, in classic Mathenge fashion, the starter shut that plan down. No merging of tee times and no exceptions leading to an altercation but clearly, we had no choice but to laugh it off and play on

As fate would have it, Mo had just celebrated her birthday two days earlier. When I realised that, I offered to buy her and Brian a birthday drink. Just a small gesture at the time—but looking back, it was the start of everything.

The next morning, we played again—this time at Royal Nairobi Golf Club. Then another round. And another. Muthaiga. Ruiru. What started as golf turned into long conversations, easy laughter, quiet moments that didn’t need filling. It all felt… natural. Effortless. And quietly profound.

Then came the day she was flying out.

I offered to drop her at the airport—again, just something simple. But when we got there, something shifted. What should’ve been a casual goodbye felt heavier than it should have. Neither of us was ready to part ways. That silence between us said more than words could and when she found her words, she whispered to me exactly what was racing through my mind!

And that’s when I knew.

Not because of some big, cinematic moment. But because walking away from her—just for a while—felt like leaving a piece of myself behind. In that quiet, difficult goodbye, everything became clear: she was the one.

I wasn’t looking for love when I met Mo. I was content. Settled. Comfortable on my own and had my systems in place for a single happy life. But love, real love, has a way of arriving unannounced—through a shared drink, a missed four-ball, a gentle car ride, and a goodbye that lingers in your heart.

From that day forward, I knew—I didn’t want to do life without her.