Letters of Love #3 —ToMi
This article is best enjoyed whilst listening to the song “Where The River Bends" by Matthew Barber - https://youtu.be/2XEN0kzRc68
Hey Tomi,
The song for this article is one that had me in a very somber mood. But the good kind of somber. The kind of somber where I am able to reflect on our journey so far as I bleed on these pages enveloped in gratitude as this musical score plays through my headphones. So, I hope you listen to this song as you read this. I hope it elicits the same feeling of gratitude as it does for me.
Thank you. Thank you for being you. Also, thank me for being such an open person who was ready to be wooed by you into this blossomed relationship we have. In fact, I think I deserve a Medal of Honor for how amazing I am for being at the right place at the right time when I first scrolled through Twitter and discovered your podcast.
I remember listening to your earlier recording and the novelty of hearing you record your first episodes under the covers of a duvet. And despite how cringe that sounded, I was still open to interviewing you for my podcast and sending you long-ass messages on Twitter DMs as you fell in love with me —ish. I remember your elevator pictures, which you sent to me when you were still at Comcast. I remember the chocolate bodybuilding figure you had at your desk. I remember being on the phone with you and learning more about customer service than I did with years of working as a Program Advisor.
I remember everything. I remember how easy it was to fall in love with you —sorry, I meant to say “how easy it was for you to fall in love with me”. I remember how charming I was, how I warmed my way into your life because you just couldn’t resist this Edo boy. Lol.
I remember how often you’d be so willing to want to talk and chat and how easy talking to you about literally anything was. I remember how you never were prejudiced even though you had your own reservations. We could talk about anything and it never felt like you were being patronizing.
So, once again, thank you. Thank you for being you. For making these moments feel more than just moments. For making hope feel hopeful. For making kindness feel kinder.
Thank you for your unreserved capacity to be both open-minded and principled with a dash of that Agege wereyness that you’re so fond of referencing whenever you’re trying your hardest to seem “street.” I thank you for how easy it is to be your person. Knowing you have made me feel like I’m way cooler than I actually am.
So, whomever your future lover is, I hope they cherish you for how knowing you make them cooler (not just as cool as me though).
Happy birthday countdown, Tomi. I love you, exceptionally more than these letters may ever be able to express. I hope your future lover has enough to compete with that (I doubt it though).
Until the next one,
Cheers!!