Chapter 24K!

Gists from my birthday + giveaway.

I turned 24 on the 3rd of May.

Yes, I’m a proud member of the association of women who do not hide their age. Because, why would I? In fact, one major reason I don't is because I have a small frame and look younger than I am, so I live for the, “Wow, seriously?” look on people's faces when I tell them.

Also, to you who was still wearing diapers when I could already recite ABCs in Yoruba, you will have to think twice before toasting me, if ever. I'm not your mate. Which age is just a number? We don't do that here.

Moving on. . .

If you've been here the past couple of weeks, you'll know things have been anything but linear for me. So when my birthday started approaching, I almost had no plans. But one day during a 3 a.m. reflection (which is my favourite time of night by the way), I thought “Hmm, I actually want a dreamy birthday. A very magical one.”

So when friends asked me:
“Debola, how do you want your day to go?” “What should I get you?”

Simply, I told them, “I just want a dreamy birthday.”

Plus, I’m not really one to put out a birthday wish list because I feel really shy about things like that. I appreciate anything I'm given, and I often prefer when people get me something when they discern the need and I didn't need to ask for it. That's my kind of thoughtful.

However, I knew that on my birthday, I wanted to go out and have a really good time.

Now, to put some order into the gists, I’ll be sharing 24 things in three parts:

8 from my birthday

8 random things about me

8 convictions for my 24th year.

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From my birthday.

1. When birthday blues wanted to kick in, I kicked it out.
I LOVE and always look forward to my birthdays, so the idea of ‘birthday blues’ isn’t something I relate to. But the past couple of weeks had been a little hmm, so a subtle BB tried to creep in.

Apart from the fact that I told it, “Nope!” I was intentional about the few days leading to my birthday. I kept counting my blessings.

2. I had a lunch date with my birthday mate.

It low-key started as a joke, “You know, we should hangout.” She’s also a very intentional person, so she took it up. And I'm glad we eventually did hang out. We had such a great time! Tolulope is a well-watered woman and great company. We had heart-to-heart conversations, shared laughter over delicious Abula, and exchanged thoughtful gifts.

3. Female friendships are so endearing.
I love my male friends (and they know I do), but there’s something so soft and solid about female friendships. Let women love you, my brethren.

For example, I had no plans of having a photoshoot and what not. Plus, I do something like that almost every year. Still, I didn't mind a quiet birthday this year. Not until my friend, a woman, told me to simply look pretty and leave the rest to her. This video is proof of her brilliance.

4. My friends are a thoughtful bunch.
I saw how they used my words against me—actually, for me. So many things I said in passing, they implemented. Like the karaoke session they booked ahead. I got to perform Styl-Plus’ “Olufunmi,” Asa’s “Show me off,” and Bruno Mars x Lady Gaga’s “Die with a smile.” Some strangers at the lounge had to ask me if I didn't know more than love. LOL. Too real!😂

Anyway, I also got sweet mails and handwritten letters, LOTS of girly accessories, cash gifts, etcetera. I felt seen. My friends are my “Shayllas” for real.

5. I love cakes, but I didn't get one this year, and it didn't feel like an incomplete birthday.
In recent years, I get two cakes: the one I buy, and, the other one I get as a gift. But this year? Permit me to say I was the cake. God dey create, my mama and papa dey born. (Hint: my birthday pictures)

6. My morning felt a bit lonely, but the latter part of the day more than made up for it.

Note to self: If your birthday morning feels slow, don’t be quick to assume everyone has abandoned you. I was beginning to overthink things. And it's partly because I hardly got any sleep a night before.

7. God's love is constant.
The Lord reminded me that feeling really good on my birthday is beautiful. But it doesn't mean He loves me more that day. His love is constant, unwavering, and realizing that in a happy-happy moment hit differently.

8. In short, a dreamy birthday I wanted, a dreamy birthday I got.

You don’t need so much to have a magical birthday. Do you have the gift of intentional people? Everything else will fall into place. My birthday was magical in every sense of the word. And honestly, I'm not even difficult to please. It’s always the little, intentional things.

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Random things about me:

1. Cheese balls is one of the layers to my heart. I've loved cheese balls since I was young. I have an aunt who used to call me, “aunty cheese balls” while buying me lots of it.

2. I’m no fan of Tik-Tok. I don't have an account and I don't intend to. Peer pressure has nothing on me. Lol.

3. I’m not very adventurous with food. “Just taste it” You and who?

4. I hardly conform to the current overhyped “skin care” trend and other related matters.

5. I’m very bad at searching for something, and I’m so quick to declare it missing. “I can't find it” is one of my frequent vocabularies.

6. Even though I grew up hearing people call me “Bola,” I absolutely dislike that short form of my name. Please don't call me that. And if you already do, may the Lord deliver you from this error. My family members, say “Amen.”

7. I think a lot. But lately, rather than slapping the “overthinker” label on myself, I've chosen to see myself more as a contemplative person.

8. I don't have a lot of hair, but my hairstyle game is 1000/10, if I do say so myself.

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8 convictions for My 24th Year:

1. To stay anchored in God's love.

   At some point in my 23rd year, I did doubt God's love. But I've come to understand that no matter the highs, the lows, or the in-betweens, God is love, as in, love is His essence, and I am deeply loved by and in Him.

2. To keep my inner child alive.

   I’m getting old but I’m not going to let it tell on me! Even Jesus said the kingdom of God belongs to those who are child-like. So, yeah. I want to keep dreaming, laughing out loud, and sharing more inside jokes with my friends. I do not want to lose my wonder.

3. To keep visiting my “Why.”

   As someone who is very prone to weariness, I've decided I need to be more intentional with keeping my why(s) ever before me.

4. To steward my gifts well.

   Writing, speaking, creating, encouraging… everything in me that’s a seed, I want to work towards allowing it blossom beautifully. For example, for writing, I’m working towards releasing a novel (or perhaps, novella) soon. So help me God.

5. To continue choosing joy.

   I want to do a joy dance every now and then, especially with this praise song we sing in church:

   Joy, all the way,

   All the way, all the way

   I’ve got joy. . .

6. To keep being a blessing.

   Without losing myself in the process, of course. I’m learning to take it easy on my subtle hero-complex. God abeg.

7. To be Financially independent.

   As the Lord helps me, I want to earn, save, give, and grow, starting from where I am. Because if I wait for “pharmacy money,” it may tend to poverty lmao.

8. To open my heart to the commitment – should love knock.

   (Details - 🔏). Lol.

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Giveaway🚀🥂

I’ll be giving out a copy each of two books written by my mentor. These books are bestsellers and are still blessing so many lives like it did mine. If you haven't read any, this is your chance.

To qualify:

• Ensure you're following

  BuildToBloom
  .

• For Beautiful wings, you should have not read it before.

• For Beautiful surrender, you should have read Beautiful wings already.

• Kindly send me a DM, stating the category you wish to put in for. I'll choose on the basis of “first come, first serve.”

• If you win, please do well to leave her a review. Rooting for you!

Thank you for reading.

Until next time. 💛

Yours in Quality time,
Adébọ́lá. 🦋