28th Reflection

My mum is usually the first to wish me a happy new month, happy birthday, and all the other "happy" days we celebrate from where I come from. In Nigeria, we wish each other "happy everything"—happy weekend, happy new month, happy new week, happy Sunday, happy birthday, happy Thanksgiving. It’s part of our culture, and I love how we always find a reason to be happy. Maybe that’s why we rarely talk about the weather.

A day before my birthday, my mum called me. After checking in on me, she asked in Yoruba(a language in Nigeria), “Aku palemo Odun”, which loosely translates to “Happy Birthday Preparation” (I told you, we wish ourselves happy everything). It wasn’t until that moment that it hit me—I was turning 28 the next day. I had been so caught up with life and adulthood that I completely forgot. It was a mix of emotions—happiness and a little bit of numbness. Happy because I’m grateful for good health, good friends, a great partner, and where I am in life. Numb because, well, the uncertainty of the future can be scary.

But I’ve learned something important: Do it scared!

Don’t worry, I won’t write a long list of “28 things I’ve learned at 28.” Instead, I’ll share three key relationships that have shaped my life and decisions in the past year.

My relationship with God

This past year, I’ve learned a lot about my faith (Christianity), and it has changed the way I handle challenges. One of the most profound lessons? Being close to God isn’t just about avoiding sin; it’s also about showing kindness to everyone, regardless of their beliefs or opinions. Love is the greatest commandment. As the Bible says in 1 John 4:7-8 (ESV):

"Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love."

My relationship with family & friends

I believe family isn’t just about blood—it’s about trust, loyalty, and genuine connection. I’m lucky to have both biological and chosen family—some from childhood, high school, or my local church. These people have been my support system. Whenever I struggle with decisions, I turn to my close friends here, those back in Nigeria, or my sisters. Their advice helps me make better choices, reducing the chances of mistakes.

My relationship with my partner

Having the right partner makes all the difference. When your partner is not just supportive but also intelligent, decision-making becomes easier—you can dissect issues logically without being on different wavelengths. Her level of intelligence challenges me to keep improving in everything I do. We prioritize growth above all else, reviewing our goals and mapping out clear steps to achieve them. She has made my learning process faster and more effective, and I’m grateful for that.

If you read this to this stage, please say a prayer of thanksgiving for me :)
I tried to keep this short so it’s easy to read. Catch you all later when I open Google Docs again!