Actress Stephanie Ndlovu says marriage is "not for the fainthearted"
"I was not prepared... I honestly did not expect marriage to be so much work," says Stephanie.
Former 'Scandal!' actress Stephani Ndlovu (née Sandows) and her husband, Hungani, are getting real about married life.
The couple sat down for a candid interview on their YouTube channel, 'The Ndlovu's Uncut'. They didn't hold back during the chat and openly spoke about the challenges they faced in the past three years.
Stephanie and Hungani met at the 'Scandal!' offices. He says he knew three months into their relationship that she was the woman he would marry.
Stephanie says it was refreshing to meet a "young, handsome, talented" man who knew exactly what he wanted out of life.
"That was refreshing and it was very attractive to me because it also gave me a sense of security and it also gave me a sense of okay, we can build together. I was at an age where I was like I am tired of the games," she says.
The couple got married in February 2019 and the 31-year-old says she had a romanticised idea of what the first few years of marriage should be like.
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Stephanie says she was not prepared for the early stages of marriage.
"I honestly did not expect marriage to be so much work... This marriage was work from the moment we said 'I do'... I just thought certain things would come naturally," she admitted.
She adds that she thought about giving up at times.
"Is this worth it? I am tired... would we be happier if we just went apart because just feels draining, it's exhausting."
Hungani says they never lived together before marriage and had to adjust to being in each other's space all the time.
"I come with my own traumas, situations, and insecurities... ego, pride and you have your own too.”
Both Stephanie and Hugani revealed that they hardly saw their parents arguing.
"They did what they thought was best for the children based on what they experienced. Why must you argue in front of the children?... That has pros as well as cons," Stephanie said.
Despite the challenges, the couple says they have learned many lessons along the way that make their union stronger.
"I have really shown parts of me that no one else has seen... and to have someone and to meet someone who knows your deepest darkest - whether it's secrets, insecurities, fears, failures - and have them still love you through it all is a beautiful thing to find," says Stephanie.
Watch their full chat below.
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Main image credit: Instagram/@miss_sandows