A close friend and how we met.

We have many friends but we have the choice to categorize depending on how attached we are to them.

There are different kinds of friends and how we have placed them in our lives. Studies have suggested that just as diet and exercise are essential to our well-being, so does friendship. Friendships will determine how well we are fairing and our longevity.

Some friends bring positivity into our lives and lift us and we have the negative ones who might cut our lives short, betray our trust in them and may ruin our destiny if care is not taken. This is why it is expedient to choose your friends wisely as you would do when making a difficult decision that could change your life.

There are the best kinds of friendships that enhance our lives, make us feel the vibe and bring out the best in us, make us feel loved and supported, and in all, boost our overall happiness. It is better to have just one (1) friend with satisfaction than nine (9) friends accompanied by tension and negativity.

There are some categories of friends which are;

Close friends
Lifelong friends
Friends of convenience (acquaintance)
Work friends
Social friends etc.

For the sake of this weekly edition, I will only be talking about my close friend and how we met.

Close friends are those you have been together with for many years and have been through ups and downs. Though you guys might not be in touch, when you eventually meet; either physically or online, you are still sure of picking up from where you have left off and would always show up when you need help from each other.

I can say this definition meets the kind of close friend I have today. Her name is Ajoke (we both bear the same name). I have known her for many years, more than 16 years now and we are still talking together even though we lost contact for sometime, when we eventually came back, it was as if we never left each other because of how we related and share stuff. She always opens up to me when she needs help and I never hesitate to help in my way because Ajoke is more than a friend but a sister to me.

How did we meet?

We just relocated to this area in Ogun State in the year 2007 and I already completed my Junior Secondary School then. I was about to gain entrance into Senior Secondary School when our landlord where we were living in Aguda, Lagos State asked all tenants to leave. It came unexpectedly and there was no other option than to go to a far distance which was in Ogun State.

On getting to our new apartment and already settled with the arrangements, we went in search of a nearby church to start attending. I was just a teenager then and I joined the teenage class in RCCG (Redeemed Christian Church of God) where my friend was there too.

I became friends with a few people in Church but when I got to know this lady who lived near our house, we got closer as we started going to church together on Sundays. She even explained the weekly activities to me which I made sure to always attend together with her. Our friendships made our mothers closer to each other too.

As young as we were then, one thing I noticed about this girl is her disciplined lifestyle. She is a bold and fierce lady and when she speaks, she sounds so great. She is very calm and jovial.

Our meeting during church service and teenage class brought the best change in my life because, throughout my stay in that area, we were never seen separately but together. It got to a point, they thought we were twins while some never believed we weren't blood-related.

How the meeting helped my life

We both grew up together in the same area. We both finished school even though she went to a polytechnic. She is always my adviser and one I run to whenever I am in trouble or having a bad moment. Once I speak up, she has the soothing words to ease my tension and would always pat my back and say "Buzhay, all will be well" with a smile. She knows how to bring vibes into one's life. She understands a person so well. Even though she read public administration, it was as if she read human psychology because she was good at it.

She pushed me to continue my process when I thought I wouldn't be given admission into the University when things went south for me. I already lost the admission and when it got to a point, I gave up and didn't want to continue even when someone explained there could still be a way. She came at that moment, I explained all to her and she pushed me to give it another try which made me gain admission in the end. This is the kind of friend we all need; one who would always support and encourage you in giving your best.

She is always my girl anytime because she understands me more than anyone could. Even now, she is married and I attended her wedding three years ago, she would keep asking "how far? Any show of a guy yet?" When I say no, she would then say "Alright, all will be well". That is just her slogan. Whenever I speak to her, I am always happy to be comforted by her as she has the right word to say. She stood by me when mom died and I couldn't have asked for another great friend like her.

I can say she is the only close childhood friend I have because of who she has been in my life right from time. Our more than 16 years of friendship have been great and worth it in my life and if I would be given another chance to choose, I would go for her all the time.

Thanks for your time on my blog.