My family had no tradition until of late. We lived our lives as every other Nigerian family. But something happened that made my dad introduce new traditions to the family. At first it was not easy but as time went on, I think we are all getting used to it. So basically, my family have just two traditions, but I have the feeling that as time goes on, there will be more.
How the traditions all started
The first one: It all started when my dad watched reels on facebook and Instagram on how girls were used by the so-called Yahoo boys for money rituals. It became a trend at some point where girls were slaughtered badly, especially during Valentine or after. Since we are all females in my family, my dad made it a tradition to always celebrate Valentine with his daughters. In his words "Nobody will use my daughter's head for money rituals." As long as you have not been proposed to, you can't go on a date with any guy on Valentine's Day. He believe that Valentine is a season of love and that love isn't for those in relationship alone. Families can also celebrate the love they have for each other.
So what he does is that every Valentine's Day, he composes a love SMS and sends it to each of his daughters telling us just how special and beautiful we are. He tends to pour out his heart in those messages. I can feel just how much my dad loves me. I always get so emotional and end up crying while going through his message. The most amazing thing about that day is the credit alert that follows. It has been on for years now and it has been amazing so far. At first, it sounded awkward and stupid but now I understand fully well what my dad is doing. Believe me when I say the world is full of evil people.
The second one: When we all grew older and left our parents for school and other reasons, we got so busy with life that we neglected family. I remembered how for days no one would check on me and I wouldn't check on anyone either, It grew from days to weeks and from weeks to months. We grew so apart that no one knew what was happening with the other person. We only call when we need assistance from the other person or a favour.
My parents got tired of such an attitude and we had a meeting on how to solve that because it was becoming a problem. I remember my dad explaining how such an attitude tears family apart. He made us understand the fact that we are all we have and good communication is what will keep us together. There was something stricking he said. He said "If you don't want to fall in love with someone, don't spend much time talking to them. Because the more to talk to someone, you are likely to fall in love with that person".
So here is the new rule, let a day not pass without talking to each other. At the start of the day or at the end of the day, you get to call each other but when you can't call, do well to drop an SMS. At first it was so bad. Imagine calling all your siblings and parents every single day for a whole year. Ahh!!
Everyone got fed up a month into it. A WhatsApp group was created where we get to check up on everyone before going to bed. The time was set to 9:00 pm because everyone should be back from work or school by that time. What we basically do is either drop a voice note or message before going to bed. Then you must call each other at least once a week.
This is more fun than I imagined. Our bond actually became stronger as we always had something to say to each other at the end of the day. I and my family are miles apart but it feels as if we stay together. There are days when I don't feel like having such conversations maybe due to stress from work or something.
The next day is always never the same because everyone will get to call you just to know what happened. Indeed family is everything.
My sisters are all I got. I pray men don't get to separate the love we share someday.