my dearest friend, our meeting was part of God's perfect plan. i think it was 1993 or was it 92.. we got talking n realise i went to school with ur sister. we both also were products of f.g.g.colleges. we just clicked. it was amazing. i had this urge to always protect u because ur heart was pure n u were very trusting. u always saw the good in everyone even up to d point that u wld be in danger. i remember u squatting Folake n I in Abuja hostel when i had no where to go. u didnt mind d extra burden n never complain abt having to sleep in an awkward position everynight just to make room for me. you were there for me when i had problems with my faculty initially n u did all u cld to do to help me thru it. i cld count on ur note books n advice when i needed them. after we left school, u were still one of the few friends that always did check on me n also encouraged me to hold on. U always had some kind of recipe waiting too. always glad to share whatever u have at home with us. when u started serving, u were not particular abt the money or the thgs that other pple had,u were just content n happy with yours. i remember ur wedding day, u were such a beautiful bride, u transformed into a princess,that was d first time I saw banke meshida's work. we looked so beautiful,i cldnt believe my banke was finally getting married. after that u had challedges cos u were here in naija n wale was in u.s. i was sad when i had to leave you n go to u.s but assured you dat u wld soon come n join me. i remember how i use to call u from u.s n how much u helped Akin with the preparations on his side. we just always knew we cld count on you. i was overjoyed when u finally left for u.s. i was back in naija then, but i knew i was going to see u in maryland when next i got back. immediately i got back to Maryland we met up again n it was like i never left. we planned laolu n chevonie's wedding. u came to pick me at home n we left together. my tummy was as big as a drum. after that you took me to arundel mills to shop for the baby. i thk we were at the mal for the whole day. went to carters ,burlingtons n childrens place. trust my friend. she always knew where to get the best bargains.we got so many cloths n u also had a coupon for half off everythg we got. u also sighed me up for coupons at children's place.i remember the sales lady was worried i was going to have my baby on that day in the store!u helped carry all my bags to the car then went home. we would talk for hours on the phone when everyone had gone to work. ones i mentioned that i had appetite for moimoi,voila! u came to lamont with a tray of moi moi. iwas shocked cos i didnt kne we cld blend beans with the blender. i had tried n it was awful. u told me to buy an oscar blender . u also gave me a tutorial on how to make it so as not to jam the blender. It worked! trust my friend with all the answers. Here comes another hurdle, i needed someone to go with me for lamaze class n b my birth partner, the doc said d person had to b available at anytime cos we just dont knw when d baby would come. Akin was in naija, Teriba was in uni -she cld b in class when baby decides to come, Tomi was in uni too, cldnt plan with mum cos i needed someone that wld b calm. had to turn to u again and as always u were very glad to be there. we went to class together despite the fact that u were waitng on God for a baby too. we prayed together n used my pregnancy as a point of contact for urs. the day the baby was going to come, i remember i called u in the morning n u came to help, later the pain stopped so we thoight it was false labour so asked you to go back home. u wanted to stay but Teriba n Tomi were around so i assured u that i was in good hands. lo n behold baby came that night. u were at the hospitall first thg in the morning with flowers n baloons. i already knew in my heart that you were going to b Justin's god mother. you were the perfect choice. you loved my son the same way you wld love yours and always happy to see him. before i took Justin to naija, i stayed with you one night, u took me to the then guest room n i told you to rename the room the baby's room. we prayed that night n confessed n also declared it so. Few months later God did it n your were expecting your first child. i was overjoyed n my faith was strenghtened. God does answers prayers! I was back in U.S before ur baby came. Yipee my friend was also going to be a mother, we had to go shopping. you were the cutest pregnant woman i had ever seen. u barely looked pregnant. u didnt gain weight and here i was stuggling with mine. i remember coming to see you and the baby at Johns Hopkins when u had the baby, i was there with my dad and Teriba.. How I remember the day of the naming ceremony, we talked a lot, cried together, laughed afterwards. A lot of memories! I remember Simi's first birthday, how you made them all learn yoruba, E ka aro ma. Mo fe jeun. you insisted the kids learn Yoruba n speak it at all times.. i remember when Anike too came. wao!, i remember u thought me how to make beads too. My Banke! Lastly I remember you sat on our table at Teriba's wedding, we both laughed together when we watched Seun ( boy ) dancing. u said u didnt knw he cld dance like that. That was fun! Few days before i left for naija, i was at your house with Justin and Olivia. as usual, you were going to cook for them n pamper them with treats. had to stop you from cooking. you were full of life. We talked n took pictures of the kids. i never thought that was going to be last time i wld see you. we spoke several times after i got to naija.-the last we did was Thanksgiving day. Then this............... Banke mi, Ore mi tooto , my backup plan, my always willing, ever listening, always praying for me friend. Where do i start now? Who else do i have as a friend? Who do i share my pains with and my joy. O ma se o. A o pade lese Jesu o, nibiti a o ni ya arawa, a ori arawa, a o aran mo ara wa . Jesu ni o se alaga wa.! God bless and comfort your family. I cant bring myself to say goodbye so till we meet n chat again. I love you my friend and I thank you for all you have done for me.