Celebrity Story 1: "How I Met Your Mother"

Year 202X

My dear Godchild,

Happy 18th Birthday!!!! Aside from the attached gift, I have written you this letter. I know you have always wondered how your mother and I met and how we have managed to remain friends over the last couple of years. Yes way before you were born, infact before your parents got married and thought of having you (smile). Well now that you are all grown, I will tell you that story today because I believe you deserve to know.

The year was 2004, way over 20 years ago! I had returned back to Nigeria from Uni a few years before and moved to Lagos but didn’t have so many friends. My younger sister noticed this and suggested hooking me up with one or two of her senior girlfriends who were around my age. I really wasn’t looking for friends to be honest because I was in touch with my two close friends from Uni even though geographically we were seperated. However I thought to oblige my sister. She introduced me to a lady but we didn’t really flow. Later on, she mentioned that she wanted to introduce me to her former group leader’s (in her uni fellowship) girlfriend. She mentioned that we attended the same church in Lagos so we could catch up after service. I said no problem. She emailed the girlfriend (let’s call her W) and myself to introduce us. We exhanged numbers etc. W and I agreed to meet the next Sunday after church. My dear, the whole thing was beginning to sound like a blind date. In my mind my game plan was meet W in church, exchange pleasantries and life moves on. If only I knew better!

Sunday came and as I was getting ready for church, I got a text message from W saying she and her boyfriend couldn’t make it to church because they had to travel out of Lagos and hoped we could meet somewhere after church since they were just on their way back. I replied saying sure. Like I said earlier I really wasn’t putting too much thought into the meeting. I had to go to the office after church, so I just told her to call me when they get back into Lagos. She replied saying OK she could come and meet me in my office, so we left it at that.

After church I went to the office to get some work done. When I was nearly done I got a call from W saying she was on the ground floor. I told her I was just finishing and would meet her downstairs. I started getting nervous, why, I don’t know o. I told myself “Aloted, get a grip, she is a woman like you. Remember you don’t have to impress anybody, no be bobo”. So I went downstairs and saw a lady wearing, gosh I remember so clearly, an orange top and brown pants. She had an afro kinky hairstyle I think (does this hairstyle still exist??). Funny enough I can’t even remember what I was wearing or what hair style I had! (Hmm strange). Anyway I can’t even remember what we started talking about but we certainly clicked.

She asked me if I had other plans for the day and I said not really, so she suggested we go to her boyfy’s office which wasn’t far off from mine. We both didn’t drive then so we took a cab there but I think he wasn’t there or maybe he was in a meeting. I really can’t remember. So she asked if I didn’t mind coming over to her place and I said no I didn't. I was just going with the flow. We got another cab and went to her house and got gisting till much later in the evening when her boyfy came over. She introduced us and then it was time for me to go home. I really didn’t want to leave as I was having so much fun. We agreed to meet the next day or so.

I think, I was on vacation that week, my memory fails me right now (your godmother is growing old!), but I went to her office in Ikeja the next evening as I didn’t stay far from there. After she was done, we walked from her office to Maryland bus stop in the hot sun! It was quite a walk but I don’t think either of us noticed as we were just gisting like old friends.

I can’t remember the last time I met someone and clicked instantly with them but W (I am sure by now you must have guessed W is your mum and her boyfy then your father) and I clicked all the way. I found myself telling her stuff I won’t normally tell someone on a first meeting. Case in point, I was in a relationship crisis/triangle then and I told her my dilemma and she was able to advise me objectively. In fact her advice helped me deal wisely and confidently with the mess I had put myself in. Thank God for your mum.

Since that fateful day, we met, your mother and I have been close friends. We are very similar in so many ways yet so different. We both love the Lord, we both have similar set of values, we both enjoy talking (though I think your mum is more of a talkative than I am), we are both readers and writers (she professionally). We are both sensitive and sometimes get upset over little things. However, your mum is the neat & finicky one, I am scattered (we drive each other nuts over this). Your mum is the mushy softy one, I am only mushy when necessary (which is rarely..lol). The list goes on and on and am sure you can also point some similarities and differences yourself.

We have been through all sorts together; we have supported each other through different tough decisions we needed to make in our individual lives even when we don’t agree. We have gotten on each other's nerves. Our friendship has gone through different stages: single days, me moving abroad, both of us getting married to our respective husbands, to having you children. Indeed, I can say our friendship has stood the test of time. It’s funny because sometimes your father and your uncle (my husband) think your mum and I act or talk like lovers. Very strange..you might need to ask them why they think that way because till today I am not sure what they mean. Bottom line, I am eternally grateful my sis hooked your mum and I up.

So now, you know how your mother and I met. Part of the reason I am sharing this story is for you to know that you will meet so many people in this life but only a few will be/remain your true friends. Cherish these people and focus on cultivating those few real relationships. Don’t focus on the 80% that are trying to pull you down, that drain you emotionally or have negative influence on you. Concentrate on building the 20% that have made a lasting impact in your life. You will certainly reap the benefits at the end of the day.

So here’s to your mum, one of the greatest women I know in this world. You should feel proud to have her as your mum. At this stage as a teenage, you might not understand her role in your life as a parent (most teenagers never do) but treasure her. She is one in a million and I know she is setting a good example for you.

I love you my darling,

Your Godmother (Aunty Aloted)



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Bloggers am sure by now you've guessed who this post is about? :)