What began as a church friendship that grew into a faith-filled romance that led to a surprise proposal at Sisiyi Falls and a wedding built on love, prayer and unwavering commitment.
The moment Joshua Menya dropped to one knee at Sisiyi Falls in Bulambuli District, Mariam Mutyembu did not wait to hear the question.
She already knew her answer.
‘I did not even let him finish,’ she recalls with a laugh. ‘The moment I saw what was happening, I had already said ‘yes’.’
Years later, it remains one of the defining moments of their love story, a story that began not with grand gestures or dramatic romance, but with simple conversations after church.
A church friendship
Back in late 2015, Joshua and Mariam were just two members of the same congregation. After every service, Joshua would often check on her, asking whether she had enjoyed the fellowship. At first, they were simply friends. Neither imagined those brief exchanges would one day lead them to the altar.
‘It was in 2016 that we became really close,’ Joshua says.
As their friendship deepened, so did their faith journey. They spent time together, prayed together, and slowly discovered shared values that shaped their bond.
Friendship to forever
For Joshua, Mariam stood out for more than her beauty.
‘She was understanding, hardworking, God-fearing and loving,’ he says. ‘I saw a helper in her.’
Mariam admired Joshua’s devotion to God and steady character.
‘He was caring, focused and passionate about his faith,’ she says.
A key turning point came when Joshua expressed interest in meeting her parents, a sign Mariam took as more than casual affection.
Still, neither of them rushed the process. The relationship grew quietly, anchored in faith and patience.
Sisiyi Falls: The moment everything changed
To Mariam, the church outing to Sisiyi Falls felt like any other day of fellowship. To Joshua, it was the moment he had been preparing for.
When he got down on one knee, everything shifted.
‘Oh my God, I could not believe it,’ Mariam says. ‘I did not wait for him to ask. I had already said ‘yes’.’
The proposal became the turning point, not the beginning of love, but the confirmation of what had already been growing for years.
Wedding without debt or pressure
When wedding planning began, Joshua and Mariam agreed on one principle; live within their means.
They set a budget of Shs36m and committed to avoiding debt.
‘We wanted something we could afford comfortably,’ Joshua says.
Friends, family, church members and workmates all contributed to fundraising efforts that made the day possible.
Most of the budget went into food and décor, with the wedding held in Mbale to keep costs manageable.
No planner, just community and faith
Instead of hiring a professional planner, the couple relied on friends who helped coordinate everything, from logistics to ceremony flow.
Because both the introduction and wedding were handled closely together, planning required teamwork and trust.
Rehearsals with groomsmen at church added humour to the process.
‘They told me I still had time to change my mind,’ Joshua jokes.
But like many weddings, theirs had its challenges.
The tailor failed to deliver on time, and some décor items were not provided as agreed.
But the couple chose not to dwell on the setbacks.
‘We focused on joy,’ Mariam says simply.
The day it all became real
For Joshua, nothing compares to seeing Mariam walk into church as a bride.
‘She looked beautiful,’ he says.
For Mariam, the most emotional moment was exchanging vows.
‘It was so lovely looking at each other as we repeated the vows,’ she says.
The celebration continued at Crown Suites Hotel in Mbale, where joy filled the reception.
A surprise appearance from Mariam’s best friend, Irene, who flew in from Italy, made the day even more special.
‘Joshua knew, but he did not tell me,’ she says. ‘I was overwhelmed.’
Lessons they took into marriage
Premarital counselling helped shape their understanding of marriage. Joshua learnt about faithfulness, partnership and family life.
Mariam remembers one lesson most clearly, ‘leave and cleave,’ a principle that redefined how she viewed marriage.
A love that was quiet before it was strong
Today, Joshua and Mariam’s story stands as a testimony of patience, friendship and faith.
A love that did not rush. A bond that did not break. And a proposal that arrived at Sisiyi Falls, only for Mariam to answer before the question was even finished.
At a glance
Groom: Joshua A Menya
Bride: Mariam Mutyembu Menya
Church: City Victory Church, Mbale
Reception: Crown Suites Hotel, Mbale
Officiating Pastors: Pastor Wandera John and Pastor Peter Wamono
Wedding Date: June 30, 2018
Guests: 300
Budget: Shs36m
Theme: Faith. Friendship. Forever.