The first year of marriage in Nigeria is not about the couple; it's about the in-laws. They are studying you. Your cooking. Your greeting. Your submission. Your respect. Your ability to kneel for elders. Your willingness to visit every Sunday. You are not a spouse; you are a candidate. The mother-in-law is the final examiner. She watches how you wash plates. She notices if you wear trousers to her house. She counts how many times you call her. The father-in-law is quieter but equally judgmental. He assesses your character through silences. And the compromise! You must learn new recipes. New greetings. New family histories. You must remember birthdays you never knew existed. You must attend events for people you can't identify. It's a second education, and failure means gossip. What was your biggest in-law adjustment? And what skill did you have to learn quickly to survive?
