For Seun Odukoya; Not all Superheroes Wear Capes

I have written about you so many times. I have spoken about you till I’m blue in the face. Anyone who knows me has had their ears filled with my tales of your awesomeness. But somehow, all these don’t even feel enough. How do I thank you enough for all that you do? How do I let you know just how much I appreciate you? How do I express gratitude for your unwavering loyalty and your consistent love?

Dearest Seun Odukoya, I have been privileged to have so many rainbows colour my life and you are one of the distinct ones. In the last 4 years, we have gone from Twitter followers to _______ friends, to boss and PA and now to an extension of each other. You are a part of me. It doesn’t feel like you’re another person. It just feels like you are an extended part of me.

There was a season in my life in that was fraught with lows and blues and most days were a struggle. But like the cape-less hero that you are, you showed up every single time, sharing love, light and bringing pure delight to my heart. I remember a particular day I went offline for a great many hours without any notice. After calling my phone unsuccessfully through the night, you left your home at 5am to try and find my house in Surulere, even though you’d only been there once with me at night. I’ll never forget that act of kindness. Ever. You earned the title of my real MVP then J

You’ve never let me feel like I a bother. Even in times where 9 out of 10 of my phone calls to you were to whine or rant or just be a baby, you remained rock solid and never let me feel small for being vulnerable. I am super, super thankful for you and I can never say this enough. You are one reason why I feel like I can do anything. Because I have seen you defy life and its attendant madness to chase your dreams. You have set your own manual and you live on your own terms and it is so lovely to see you set goals for yourself and pursue them relentlessly, even when it gets hard. I am so darn proud of you. Have I never told you before? Well, I am SO DARN PROUD OF YOU!!

You’re one of 2 men in my life, not related to me by blood that I would take a bullet for in the blink of an eye, without as much as a second thought. You have earned that spot with your kindness and your love. You go hard for me. From encouraging me to face my fears to holding my hands when I’m down to cheering me on in my victories… You my precious are one of the most amazing gifts I have received in my lifetime.

Thank you for doing life with me, thank you for the access you have given me, thank you for being a part of me and thank you for redefining friendship on a pure, wholesome level. I tell you all the time, they don’t make them like you no more. And that’s okay. One Seun Odukoya is enough to last me an entire lifetime. Because of you, I have learned to value every single one of my relationships on their own merit. I have learned that dreams are valid and that last last, even if things don’t work out as I want, I can always count on you to share a cocktail with me and laugh at pain or failure in the face.

I love you Seun. I am thankful for you. You’re a total rockstar. You’re my Superhero. And it’s a privilege to build greatness with you.

Cheers to the New Year. Kick ass!

Oge.