Renowned media personality and Genevieve Magazine publisher, Betty Irabor, has narrated a shocking incident that took place at a wedding she attended with her husband, veteran broadcaster Soni Irabor.
In a heartfelt post shared on social media, Betty recounted how a groom embarrassed his new wife by comparing her appearance to hers, an act that left the bride visibly uncomfortable and prompted the couple to intervene.
According to Betty Irabor, the incident served as a reminder that people “bloom and age differently,” emphasizing that no one should be demeaned—especially in public—by someone they love.
She wrote:
“WE BLOOM DIFFERENTLY AND AGE DIFFERENTLY.
Some time ago, my husband and I attended a wedding. As we made our way into the reception hall, we spotted a middle-aged couple taking photos at the photo booth.They seemed quite happy.
The husband turned out to be my husband’s old classmate, and we were all smiles as we exchanged warm greetings and handshakes.
Everything was light and joyful—until the man turned to his wife and said with a laugh, ‘Guess Auntie Betty’s age? She’s over 60—ten years older than you! See her and see yourself!’
A loud silence followed, and then an uneasy stillness. The poor woman’s smile faded instantly. You could almost feel the air change.”
Sensing the tension, Soni Irabor quickly stepped in to correct his old classmate, while Betty tried to lighten the mood and comfort the bride.
She continued:
“Soni casually took his friend aside and had a quiet word with him about how not to talk to or about your partner—privately or in public—while I made small talk to ease her unease.
Listen! Putting your partner down, whether publicly or privately, is a form of emotional abuse. It chips away at her self-esteem, layer by layer.
Comparing her to others is unkind—because we all bloom differently, age differently, and carry our responsibilities differently. The wear and tear of life shows up uniquely on each of us.
There are always better ways to speak to your wife—ways that uplift rather than diminish.
A woman who has to endure constant criticism and comparison from her husband soon loses her light. With time, her confidence fades, and her laughter becomes guarded.”
Her story has since gone viral, sparking discussions on social media about respect, emotional intelligence, and the importance of kindness in marriage. Many praised Irabor for speaking out against subtle emotional abuse that often goes unnoticed in relationships.
Through her message, the media icon reinforced the value of compassion and reminded couples to treat each other with dignity, love, and respect—because, indeed, “we all bloom differently.
