Their 20-year age gap sparked debate, but their love story silenced the noise—here’s how they found each other against the odds.
When gospel artist Guardian Angel met Esther Musila, he had no idea his life was about to change. Their love story is one of faith, resilience, and breaking societal norms.
In this interview, Esther Musila opens up about her journey with Guardian Angel.
You know, when we first met, neither of us could have imagined where we would be today. It wasn't the usual love story where you meet someone, feel a spark, and then everything just falls into place.
For me, it started with his music. I remember it was in 2019, just before my 50th birthday in 2020. I had prayed to God, asking for a fresh start, a 360-degree change in my life as I entered this new milestone. I wanted to experience life differently, to know God on a deeper level. I felt like I was ready for something new.
Gospel singer Guardian Angel (right) and his wife Esther Musila.
Photo credit: Pool
One morning, as I was getting ready for work, I heard a song on the radio that just spoke to me. The song played for just a few seconds, but it was enough. I heard the lyrics “Rada Ibadlike,” and I was immediately captivated. I thought to myself, “Wow, this song is speaking directly to me.” I called my Maina Kageni to ask who the artiste was. That is when I first heard the name "Guardian Angel." I had never heard of him before.
When Maina shared that it was a song by Guardian Angel, I was intrigued, but I still didn’t know much about him. A few days later, he played some of his songs for me, and I was struck by how powerful his lyrics were. It was almost as though God was guiding me to this artiste. I felt like he had a message I needed to hear.
So you were drawn to his music first, not the person?
Absolutely. My initial interest was purely based on his music. I wanted to know more about him, especially because I felt like his songs had such deep messages.
I even reached out to a friend, Maina, and said, "I really want to meet this artiste. I think he is got something special."
A week later, Maina arranged a lunch meeting with Guardian, and our first conversation was all about music.
At that point, I just wanted to see how I could support his career. I felt like his talent was underrated, and I wanted to help elevate him in any way I could.
It was a very professional meeting, with no romantic intentions at all. But as we spoke and got to know each other, something clicked. We exchanged numbers, and the rest, as they say, is history.
Well, just two weeks after our first meeting, Guardian invited me to be a part of one of his music video shoots. The role was simple: I was supposed to run towards him and save him. It was during that shoot that we spent more time together, talking and getting to know each other. I was impressed by his maturity.
Despite his age, he spoke with such wisdom and insight about life. It was clear that he had lived through some tough times and had a deep understanding of the world.
We started talking more, and over time, we shared our personal stories. We were not looking for a relationship, but there was a connection. A friendship began to blossom, and from there, it just grew. The lines between friendship and something more started to blur.
What really drew me to him was his maturity. I was amazed at how, despite being younger than me, he carried himself with such wisdom. It wasn’t just about age; it was about how he viewed life and the world. He was different from anyone I had met. He didn’t speak just to fill the silence; every word he said had meaning.
Gospel singer Guardian Angel (left) and his wife Esther Musila.
Photo credit: Pool
And even though I wasn’t looking for a relationship at that time, I had come out of a marriage and wasn’t thinking about love – I could feel something special between us.
It was not something I was actively seeking, but I couldn’t deny the bond we were forming.
Yes, there was one moment that really stood out. After our video shoot, when we were saying goodbye, Guardian hugged me. It wasn’t just a normal hug.
There was something about it that lingered with me. For days, I kept thinking about it, wondering what it meant. I was unsure whether I was just imagining things, but the hug felt different. So, I texted him, asking, “What did that hug mean?”
He replied, “Whatever you’re thinking, it’s exactly what you think.” That’s when we both realised that there was something more between us. We began talking more, and our connection deepened.
I think it was about two weeks into our relationship when he first told me he loved me. And I was like, “No, no, no. It’s too soon!” We were both still getting to know each other, and I wasn’t expecting that. But at the same time, I felt the same way. It wasn’t just about the words; it was about the way we connected and understood each other on a deeper level.
I had never considered being in a relationship with someone younger than me, but with Guardian, it didn’t feel like a problem. Our bond was built on respect and understanding, and it just felt right. The love grew naturally.
If I am being honest, COVID was a blessing in disguise for us. It was during the lockdown that we spent most of our time together. We couldn’t go anywhere, so we had no choice but to get to know each other deeply. We spent 99 percent of 2020 together, and it gave us the chance to build a solid foundation.
Gospel singer Guardian Angel (left) and his wife Esther Musila.
Photo credit: Pool
Because of the pandemic, we weren’t distracted by the outside world. It was just us, and we were able to talk about everything, our pasts, our dreams, our values. It was during this time that we really solidified our connection.
My children are all grown now, with the youngest being 26, so they were a bit curious when they saw me spending so much time with Guardian.
At first, they didn’t know exactly what was going on, but they could tell that I was happy. They were supportive, but it took some time for them to fully understand our relationship.
Guardian met my children on my birthday that year, and from then on, they started to warm up to him. They respect him, and they have even become close friends. My sons call him “G,” and they confide in him about all sorts of things, even personal matters. It has been wonderful to see them bond.
Guardian was raised by his mother, who lives in Canada, and I have only met her once. As for his other relatives, I haven’t met many of them yet, as Guardian is an only child.
Guardian has never pushed me to meet his family right away, and I respect that. We are still building our lives together, and we take things one step at a time.
When we first went public with our relationship, we were met with a lot of criticism, especially about our age difference. Some people couldn’t understand how I, a 50-year-old woman, could be with someone younger. But the truth is, love doesn’t have an age limit. Our relationship is based on mutual respect, love, and understanding. We don’t answer to anyone but ourselves.
At first, the public scrutiny was tough. We were trending for days because of our age difference, and the comments were harsh. But as time went on, we realised that we couldn’t let the opinions of others define us. We know who we are and what we mean to each other.
My message is simple: Focus on your own life. Don’t try to dictate how others should live theirs. Guardian and I are happy, and that’s what matters most. We don’t live to please anyone else, and we will continue to build our lives together. If people can’t understand that, then that’s their problem, not ours. At the end of the day, it’s about respect, love, and understanding. We’ve found that in each other, and that’s all that matters.
Gospel singer Guardian Angel (right) and his wife Esther Musila.
Photo credit: Pool
February is traditionally a month of love, with Valentine’s Day being the highlight. How do you and Guardian celebrate this special month, and what does love mean to you daily?
Honestly, I feel like every day is Valentine’s Day for us. We don’t even celebrate Valentine’s on the 14th because we live in love every day.
For those who may not fully understand, what does it mean when you say every day is Valentine's Day in your relationship?
I believe in celebrating love every single day. We don’t need flowers or grand gestures. I am not someone who enjoys being bought flowers or gifts, but I experience love every day in other ways, whether it’s through support, attention, or simply being there for each other.
Interestingly, the only time we have ever been apart was the night before our wedding! I had to return to my place that night, and we were apart from 10pm until 9am the next day. That is the only time in five years we have ever been apart. We are inseparable, and I cherish that deep connection.
What advice would you give to people who believe that you need to know someone for years before settling down?
Every relationship is unique. For us, our relationship is built on friendship, and I believe that’s key. Friendship is the foundation of everything. When you are friends, you can be open with each other, correct each other without judgment, and truly understand each other.
You have mentioned that you don’t feel societal pressure, especially when it comes to big milestones like your honeymoon. Can you tell us more about how you and Guardian navigate your relationship on your own terms?
We don’t believe in living up to other people's expectations. For our honeymoon, we drove ourselves to Mombasa, stayed for three days, and then returned home.
It was simple, just the two of us. Sometimes, on anniversaries, we will just decide to go to Naivasha, or sometimes we let the day pass and simply enjoy being together.
We never feel the pressure to do what others are doing, especially with the influence of social media. We do what makes us happy and what feels right for us.
In terms of your social media presence, how do you handle negativity, especially in your DMs?
I am quite a force when it comes to protecting my space online. If someone comes into my space with negativity or disrespect, I am quick to address it. I believe in teaching people how to treat me.
If you are going to insult me or invade my space, I will respond, and then I will block you. It is about setting boundaries and making sure my space is a positive one. I don’t need negativity in my life, so if that’s what you bring, I will show you the door, quickly.
What message would you like to share with others, especially those who might feel overwhelmed by the pressure to meet certain expectations?
My advice is simple: live your life authentically. God didn’t create you to live according to someone else’s will or expectations. If you meet someone you love, and they love and respect you back, that’s all that matters. Life is too short to live for anyone else’s approval.
Live every day like it’s your last, cherish the small moments and don’t complicate things. Life is simple. If you are blessed with another day, make the most of it and don’t worry about what others think. Love God, love the people who love you, and just live your life.
