He called me Oxygen

This is a story of how I almost found love on campus

Reminiscing on my life and achievements as my undergraduate days comes to an end, I almost had it all.

Opportunities. CHECK.

Money. Check.

Great Friends. Check

Great Grades. Well, I have great friends who ensured my grades were in check.

I discovered purpose, discovered some people are aesthetically pleasing but are walking on the wrong side of Yaba—they belong on the left. I discovered community, discipleship and mentorship. I found God, and through Him I unravel the depths of who I am. BUT I didn’t quite find love, which is ironic because He called me Oxygen.

Source: Wild Chocolate on Pinterest

I believe God orchestrates scenes and experiences to teach you a lesson. Sometimes, it’s not God, but your stubbornness that causes these experiences, but God steps in to save you from yourself. That’s how I met Andrew.

A little bit about Andrew: He’s kind (like me), a rich sense of humor (mine is better though), and boy, was he a sight for sore eyes, gosh!

He had his way with words. Now, I’m not easily swooned with words, but He called me Oxygen. If it were to be you, wetin you for do?

In retrospect, it was better we separated, received and reciprocated the Love of God, and NEVER got back together— because it still stands, Andrew you’re a wicked boy!

He called me Oxygen, then vanished into thin air. Men!

I remember my pastor making a joke about heart breaks that strengthen your walk with God. I still chuckle when I think about it because my heart wasn’t broken.

What happened?

After he called me Oxygen, he crumbled under the pressure of expectations to be a Man, and in this case My Man.

But, Man, we were young teenagers! He didn’t know what to do. I didn’t know what to expect. We were just learning to feel.

Now, I realize it was okay for him not to have it figured out.

There’s no shame in not being ready for commitment or being able to afford spoiling me. Most importantly, walking away rather than stringing me along shows strength and resilience only a true Man embodies.

(If you’re reading this and thinking, “Wow, Isabella Nadia, what maturity.” Please relax. I rained curses on him at that time)

I’ll never know what it means to be a Man, but I resonate deeply with being young, unsure, yet ambitious.

The world has provided numerous dictates to what a Man should be. The weight of trying to be a Man, while learning it’s true meaning, all at the same time, is a crown of responsibility he is graced to bear but must first be nurtured into.

I’m writing this to you, Savannah. He’s a good man! A good Man!

You only met him unprepared. Give him grace. Move on.

I heard this Month was dedicated to Men’s Mental Health Awareness, and I thought of Andrew. How is he doing? Is he rich now? Has he found love?

Wherever he is, and with whoever he’s with, I hope they hold the fort for him. His heart is precious.