IT'S HER BIRTHDAY

On a certain afternoon in December year 2000, I attended my younger sister's school end of the year /Christmas party. Later that day, my sister gave me a note someone had asked her to pass to me. Note said "Hello! My name is Jacy. I saw you at my cousins school party. I'm new in the neighborhood. I don't know anyone or anywhere around. I'll love to be friends. Please reply". I was excited. Not because I was about to make a new friend, but because I hadn't received a letter/ note in ages! I replied immediately "No worries! Come over tomorrow at noon. Let me show you a good salon to make your Christmas hair".

She came over the next day. And all silly me could say to her was "Small fine girl, please why did you choose me to be your friend? I'm obviously older than you naa (today, I have friends I am 10 years older than and I have friends that are 10 years older than I am! ) and way bigger than you. You are so cute and petite! . We are going to look like 'cow and chicken' walking together. Oya let's go to the salon". She could not stop laughing. She laughed at everything I said. She still laughs at everything I say. Apparently, I'm funny 😕.

We became friends. 17 years later she remains the best friend anyone can have! We laugh together, rejoice and jubilate together, cry and mourn together. One time I was really sad and I called her and started crying. Next thing, she started crying with me. In fact she was wailing. I had to stop and ask her "O girl! please why are you crying? Are you OK?" 😂. Through it all, she's stood by me and made me understand what true friendship really means. I have been accused by my Mr so many times, that I tell Jacy and Valerie things, before I tell him. And I must confess, guilty as charged 🙈.

A few years ago, my blackberry phone fell into water a few days before my birthday. Jacy was concerned about how I would reply my birthday messages on blackberry messenger,since I said I would buy another phone right after my birthday. She was very bothered about my messages on my behalf 😂, meanwhile I couldn't really be bothered. A day before my birthday, she asked me to send someone to her home to pick up some jewellery. She said she bought the jewellery that summer with plans to resell, but had been unable to. So, I should please see if I can help her sell them off. I sent someone over to hers and the person returned without jewellery, but with a brand new phone. The exact same phone I had told her I wanted to buy!

I don't have a lot of friends. But the few I have, I must say I am blessed!!!

Happy birthday to my very beautiful sweetheart Jacy! My BBF of life and after life! Ife nkili! Omalicha Ada na Alor-London! Hardworking woman! Realtor and entrepreneur extraordinaire! I wish you long life, good health, sound mind, less display of 'Ogbanje' 😯, prosperity in all you do, and all the great things life has to offer! God bless you abundantly darling! 😘