Black Love Role Models: Gabes and Anna Deku

Our next Black Love Role Models couple resides in the UK! Yes BLISS has been international, and we want to reflect that by sharing this amazing young couple. Gabes and Anna Deku are married and have a heart for God.

You may have seen them before in a viral video of Gabes in tears as he witnessed as his bride Anna walked down the aisle at their wedding ceremony in 2016. Now the two are building a growing platform online to promote Godly, healthy and happy relationships in a fun and practical way. Check out our interview with them below:

BLISS: Where do you attribute your wisdom and maturity about relationships and marriage?

Gabes & Anna: Hardship! Our previous relationships were toxic and we both came out of it thinking “I never want to experience so much pain again”. We shared our trials with each other and we were able to empathize with the struggles, so when we started dating we just humbled ourselves by reading about the journey we were about to embark upon.

We read everything, all the books we could get our hands on and attended all the events we could find on relationships. Now some people think we have a very strong sense of maturity for a young couple, however, we don’t really feel mature. We feel young and free, but we do value the relationship we have and we make an effort not to take each other for granted. So we guess it may come across like we are mature, but we’re just really trying to fulfill our vows – ‘til death as do part.

“If it wasn’t for God and the examples laid out in the Bible we wouldn’t have the examples to learn from.”

Something we always say is “Thank God for God”. If it wasn’t for God and the examples laid out in the Bible we wouldn’t have the examples to learn from. We are also thankful for our Church family – all the friends we have made who are able to hold us accountable to the example laid before us.

BLISS: It’s a beautiful thing to see your growth on YouTube. How have you both grown in doing life together since starting the channel?

G&A: Although our core value systems are similar, our personalities and our ways of working are polar opposites. YouTube has helped us work better as a unit and has given us more of a glimpse of the success that can be achieved through working together. We have just recently passed the 30,000 subscribers milestone on our YouTube channel and we are proud of our achievements thus far and are excited for what’s to come.

BLISS: How are you both balancing Biblical principles for marriage in modern day culture?

G&A: The Bible can somewhat be seen as an outdated book with all these rules and regulations that try to stop you from “living your best life,” but this couldn’t be further from the truth. For us, the Bible is a way of life and although the principles may appear counter-cultural, we believe they still have a place in modern society. We just try to do a deeper work to understand why the Bible says what it does and have greater faith to trust God at His word.

We have both tried living the other way, being a slave to our body and pleasing the short term, non-fulfilling desires of the flesh. God’s way is definitely the best way for us, He gives us a peace.

BLISS: What’s one quality that singles should be working on if they are preparing for marriage?

G&A: A person’s season of singleness is VERY important and we see it as an opportunity to grow in love with yourself, not in a narcissistic, over obsessed manner, but a love for yourself where you are aware, embrace and accept yourself for who you truly are – the good, bad and ugly.

When people are full of love, they have less expectation for their future spouse to fill void they have and compete in the hope of being happier. These unrealistic expectations put unnecessary pressure and strain on the relationship which ultimately lead to disappointment because regardless of how great your partner is, they can never truly fulfill your every need.

“The best thing you can do for your future partner is to love and be confident in yourself.”

BLISS: What’s one advice question that you get asked the most from singles?

G&A: “How did you know they were the ‘one’?” As if the one exists! There is lie roaming the atmosphere which has convinced people that in order to have a successful relationship you need to find that special one! Yes, finding the right person to go into a relationship is the right thing to do and it’s important to qualify before you enter into a relationship, but that is probably only 20% of work you need to put in order to have a great relationship or marriage.

“The real hard work starts when you actually get together and CHOOSE to continue being the one for each other. The one is the one you choose to be with.”

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