They say we have the liberty of choosing our friends but we aren't given that luxury of choice when it comes to family. But miraculously the family we are given just works for us. There are always bound to be differences amongst family members but it can never go beyond that. You know, in Africa we have this family comes first mentality, where your family automatically becomes your responsibility.
A family member will annoy the life out of you but the least you could do is get angry and eventually you move on. It's wayy different from how we treat friends or acquaintances or even outsiders. Those ones are bound to taste our ruthlessness without mincing of words or actions.
Coming down to the aspect of choosing our friends, ever just been friends with someone who just speaks your own language? A person who understands you even better than you understand yourself, someone who completes your sentences and thoughts with ease. Someone who doesn't need words to get the message you're trying to pass, someone who is just like a reflection of yourself but with better advice and all.
Someone who you know I don't have to keep this one around but you need to keep because what would you do without this person in your corner? I have that one person and I'm dedicating this writing to her. I met her in my very fresh period in the university. A conversation between two new and confused freshers under a mango tree turned into an inseparable bond of sisterhood that cannot be broken. She's that one person who just gets me, she that friend I had the freedom to choose and I chose her, something I'm forever grateful I did. There's no trial I went through or still go through that she hasn't held my hand through neither is there any joyful moment that she hasn't held me through also.
Grace is someone I don't introduce as my friend to strangers but my sister cause c'mon. Even my family members know the level of closeness we share. You see I keep saying this to my future husband that after my dad being his biggest rival, she is the one following closely behind. Friendship goes beyond just mere fun and interaction, it is an emotional bond, a connection that speaks volume and I am glad to have experienced this.
Some friendship goes beyond that family circle, some are even stronger and even lasts more than some family relationships do. I think we should talk more about our relationships which doesn't always have to be romantic. And learn to always appreciate that friend who has has seen you at both your worst and best. I love you my darling ❤️