Open Letter #2: To My Best Friend

Forever and always 💝

Dear Naana,

We try hard to keep in touch as much as possible so I know you are doing well. We have come far as friends and we’ve grown closer to the point that we consider ourselves as family. We’ve known each other for almost eleven years (from senior high school) but it’s the past eight years that we have been actively imprinted in each other’s lives. Life hasn’t been easy but with God on our side, we keep sailing through. 

I don’t know if there are enough words to express my sentiments about our friendship. First of all, I believe our paths crossing was divinely orchestrated. How else can I explain us getting to study the same three courses at the university when we were each wondering how life was going to turn out in a new territory like the Legon campus? As much as I always wanted to study at the University of Ghana, I was pretty anxious about leaving home to live on a campus with no friends till I called you (or did you call me instead?) and you told me you were offered the same courses as me! I was beyond excited! It was like God’s way of telling me He’s got my back. And He really did.

From our treks around campus from the room to the lecture hall to the Night Market or Bush Canteen and then back to the room, we have kept fit in our own way. I remember when we would indulge ourselves in watching American TV series (we loved One Tree Hill!) and the Korean drama series (Playful Kiss amongst others with our sweet roomies Dorcas and Priscilla) and then discuss them at length as if we had to write a dissertation on them. Those times were fun and my favorite moments too. 

Thanks to you, I learnt how to fellowship with peer believers during Joyful Way meetings and I must say, that experience helped me build a more intimate relationship with God. The sharing of God’s word and testimonies, prayer and worship time, the breaking of bread (always a fun moment) helped me to open up to other people. You always had a way of pushing me out of my comfort zone and though I didn’t always enjoy it, I appreciate the effort you took to make me a better person. Do you remember the times you made me cry because you wouldn’t leave me alone? I think my tear glands have grown tougher now.

I would be a hypocrite if I painted a picture of a smooth ride with no bumps on the road. We did reach some rough patches where we wouldn’t speak to each other for a day or two but food would always make us reconcile. After all, no matter how mad we were at each other, we still had to eat, right? That’s the beauty of our friendship. We knew when to let things go and just move on. 

We were great study partners since we both couldn’t stand study groups. We helped each other revise and would come up with scenarios peculiar to us to help us remember certain key concepts for the exams. They really helped. We were both not surprised that we graduated with the same class. We could have swapped places and still score the same mark.

Getting to be the maid of honor on your big day meant a great deal to me; one I don’t take lightly at all. I remember you constantly drumming into my ears to psyche myself for it. I couldn’t believe the slim girl back in Gey Hey had blossomed into such a lovely lady and become a sweet-looking bride. It was an emotional moment for me as it felt like I was handing you over. 

You always gloat that you raised me and I’ll agree; you have the bragging right to say so. You are not just a friend and a sister, you have always been a guardian angel to me as well. You are my person (the Cristina to my Meredith or vice versa) and no matter where life takes us, you will always hold a precious part in my heart. I know God is going to take you places that we both never imagined and people from all nations will call you blessed.

I wish you and your family the very best and may your heart desires become true. Though life may put some distance between us, I know the bond we’ve forged will grow even stronger. I love you dearly, Amanda. Stay blessed and beautiful. 

Yours truly,

Jo.

So this is my tribute to my dear soul sister, Amanda. Ever wanted to write a letter to a dear friend of yours? This might be the perfect time to do so. It’s always better to let our loved ones know how much they mean to us now that they are around instead of regretting it all when it gets too late. 

KeniKodjo and Amaka  may I humbly challenge you to write one too? I’d love to write your pieces.

Have a lovely day, everyone!
© Josephine Amoako 2016