Faustina and I were inseparable— our provisions were shared without a second thought, and we were often seen together like twins bonded by mutual trust and understanding. Our friendship continued beyond the confines of Swedru Secondary School. Juliet, my dear “konkonsa” and chilling mate, filled my days with hearty laughter and my holidays with thrilling plans. Her untimely passing remains a deep void, but her memory lives on in the joy she brought to those years. Shirley and her family embraced me as one of their own, opening their doors during holidays and giving me a place that felt like home. Their generosity and warmth were lessons in unconditional support. Additionally, my girlfriends Afia Sarpong and Abena Frimpong made my A ‘Level years even more special. They opened their homes to me and gifted me the experience of taking holidays with friends. At Afia’s home, we were treated like royalty—her father, may his soul continue to rest in perfect peace, pampered us like true “dadabes.” There was always laughter, love, and a sense of being seen and valued. Abena also followed suit with her warm hospitality in Swedru. She would host us and treat us like sisters, making us feel completely at home. These were moments that gave me a true sense of belonging, and they remain among the most cherished memories of my teenage years. It was in these school years that I began forming thoughts around my future—about university, career, and the kind of woman I wanted to become. But beyond academics and friendship, I was also learning about relationships with my boyfriends—George, Nicholas (aka Amadan), Nathaniel, Ken Acquaye, and Ascona. Each of them, in their own way, helped shape my understanding of relationships. They weren’t just boyfriends; they were my early teachers of what it meant to communicate, to be seen, to be respected. Then there were my school fathers— Raymond, Barnett (aka Tospino), and Panat—who played protective, grounding roles in my adolescent journey. Their My father, in his quiet confidence, entrusted me with marketing and cooking during my teenage years. I didn’t see it as a burden. It was an honour. “ The Birthday Journal 13
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