TO ESTHER, AN ETERNAL FAVE: HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

I cannot definitively remember the exact spot, hour or date that we met. Of course, I know that it was circa 2012 and within the sprawling grounds of the University of Exeter’s Streatham campus. Now that I think about it, it must have been at one of the many student residences where you’d frequently find the minuscule population of African & Caribbean undergrads huddled together for one or all of these activities- to eat, gist and generally have a good time in all the ways that only we could. Or maybe it was at our weekly Christian fellowship- NOOMA, to be precise- that our paths first crossed.

What I do remember, however, is feeling instantly at home with this flawlessly dark-skin toned, slightly talkative but incredibly gorgeous and spirited young woman. She would later be introduced to me by a mutual friend as “Esther.”

Our budding friendship would involve several shared interests, the most paramount being an insatiable love of food. Never mind that we were both Law students with more important matters to discuss and journal articles to share, food and the act of eating said food was always a priority. Speaking about studying for a law degree, Esther was a teacher’s student. The kind that you would imagine a lecturer to take great pride in. She worked both hard and smart and somehow managed to maintain a flourishing social life. When asked what fueled her zeal to excel, she would scream with all of her might: “FOURTEEN-NINE!!!” 14, 900. The yearly value of our tuition fees in British pounds. 😂

This friendship of ours would also come to save me in many ways. I would at some point be practically homeless in my university town (because I missed application deadlines. A story for another day) and of course, it would be Esther to the rescue. She would eventually, very lovingly, house me and my many ills for nearly a month and introduce me to the wonders of her okra soup recipe.

It is with the same certitude that is said to possess one who has found a soul mate that I decided Esther would one day become my Maid of Honor. I look back now and realize how slightly ludicrous the idea had been, that although I hadn’t yet found a potential spouse nor had I resolved in my heart to walk down the aisle some day, I was resolute about the person I wanted by my side supporting me as I set foot into the next phase of my life.

Because Esther is exactly the kind of person you want by your side and in your life as you achieve milestones of whatever degree.

I still am resolute in this little maid of honor scheme of mine, and often relay my plan to Esther; but not in a manner that suggests her willingness to participate in this role is optional; Rather, I do so in a way that lets her know that her name’s already firmly inscribed in my whimsical Wedding program. 😊

Expectedly, I can’t quite capture all the tales, escapades, experiences and essence of our friendship or of Esther’s greatness at once. In fact, I would be wrought in the tightest position if you ever were to ask what, in my judgment, is Esther’s most outstanding quality. For a woman who’s so multilayered and adept at navigating the highs and lows of life, picking out one of her numerous attributes has the tendency to downplay the eminence of the others.

I mean, is it in her quest to live life to the fullest extent? As my people would say: “chop life before life chop you.” Or is it in how much she’s taught me what it means to have a genuinely pure heart and to share all the love within unsparingly, without? Is it in the way that she can rock a motive to the max and yet report at the office the next day, clear-eyed and remain the most brilliant person in the room?  Is it in the way she has exuded great strength and persistence in running her business, dealing with a painful loss and pursuing her goals yet so voraciously? Maybe it’s in the way she immediately circumvents the praise she receives for her achievements by interposing same with a simple line: “God is good.” Either way, from Esther, I have learned many things; The very least of them being the intricacies of becoming a ‘present’ friend. I am a master at withdrawing and pulling disappearing acts, but Esther is equally a master at performing magic tricks to pull me out of whatever hole I might have found myself. 

From enjoying the ancient terrain of the University of Exeter to steering through the rigid aura of the Nigerian Law School and its aftermath, Esther has taught, continues to teach and influence my life in more ways than I can share.

Esther, if you are reading this (and I really hope that you are) there is so much to be said about you. Your incredible deeds of the past and inspiring conquests of the present. Yet, what lights a fire in my belly more than these two combined is the thought of all that you are going to achieve in the future. I hold not a single doubt in my heart that your story is destined to be one for the history books. I love you and I’m always going to be here supporting and prodding you forward.

Until then, here’s wishing you a happy 25th, my darling! Show the BUJ folks why you’ll always be the life of the party!!!  ❤️❤️❤️

Follow @thamifootwear on Instagram to shop from her amazing collection of the best handmade footwear in Nigeria!

PS: I would encourage you lads to indicate your interest in the comments, but are you even worthy?! I mean, look at this SPEC for goodness sake!😩

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As always, thank you so much for reading!

Endless love & light,

Awele