A love letter to the one who comes after me by annie ejiofor

Toward the end of last year, when I was making plans for 2018, I made a mental note to feature A Letter To The One Who Comes After Me in February. There was no order to the planning. It was a decision I made – and kept.

As the curtains drew in on January, an alarm went off in my head, “February is in 5 days!!!” I considered putting off the series to a later date, say March. This was not from a lack of preparation. It was simply panic.

I made the decision to write this letter in 2015 before my sister gained admission into the university. When she didn’t gain admission immediately, and instead had to do a one-year pre-degree program, I thought I had some extra time.

Still, I did not get to work.

While I delayed writing the letter, I knew it was a wise thing to at least write the synopsis of the letter.

In the first few months of her first year, I was able to develop three of the areas I wanted the letter to address. With my 2018 goal in mind, gradually and steadily, the letter began to rise to full stature.

Last week, I shared the first part. This week, aware that Valentine’s Day is around the corner, I decided to bring forward the area of love.

Guard Your Heart

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For out of it spring the issues of life.
A poem:

“As an apricot tree stands out in the forest, my lover stands above the young men in town.

All I want is to sit in his shade, to taste and savor his delicious love.

He took me home with him for a festive meal, but his eyes feasted on me!

Oh! Give me something refreshing to eat—and quickly! Apricots, raisins—anything. I’m about to faint with love!

His left hand cradles my head, and his right arm encircles my waist!

Oh, let me warn you, sisters in Jerusalem, by the gazelles, yes, by all the wild deer: Don’t excite love, don’t stir it up, until the time is ripe—and you’re ready.”

Song of Solomon 2:3‭-‬7 MSG

Another:

“Restless in bed and sleepless through the night, I longed for my lover.

I wanted him desperately. His absence was painful.

So I got up, went out and roved the city, hunting through streets and down alleys.

I wanted my lover in the worst way!

I looked high and low and didn’t find him.

And then the night watchmen found me as they patrolled the darkened city. “Have you seen my dear lost love?” I asked.

No sooner had I left them than I found him, found my dear lost love.

I threw my arms around him and held him tight, wouldn’t let him go until I had him home again, safe at home beside the fire.

Oh, let me warn you, sisters in Jerusalem, by the gazelles, yes, by all the wild deer: Don’t excite love, don’t stir it up, until the time is ripe—and you’re ready.”

Song of Solomon 3:1‭-‬5 MSG

The last:

“I wish you’d been my twin brother, sharing with me the breasts of my mother,

Playing outside in the street, kissing in plain view of everyone, and no one thinking anything of it.

I’d take you by the hand and bring you home where I was raised by my mother.

You’d drink my wine and kiss my cheeks.

Imagine! His left hand cradling my head, his right arm around my waist!

Oh, let me warn you, sisters in Jerusalem: Don’t excite love, don’t stir it up until the time is ripe—and you’re ready.”

Song of Solomon 8:1‭-‬4 MSG

Three times in the Songs of Solomon, the Shulammite woman charged young women not to awaken love until they are ready.

You are not ready when you ought to be studying. You are not ready when you ought to be discovering yourself. You are not ready when you are yet to understand your feelings, body, and emotions. You are not ready even though everyone around you is getting hooked, acting and feeling in love.

You are ready after you have understood your feelings, body, and emotions. After you are sure what you want out of life and in a relationship. You are ready when you are ready for marriage.

Don’t let nobody put pressure on you. Don’t put pressure on yourself either.

Oh, dear, and when you are ready and in waiting, do not forget:

“The right company exists: the kind that nurtures, shares your values, believes in your process, respects you and is going where you’re headed. Find it. Until you do, do not be afraid to be alone. Aloneness is better than compromise.” – Oreoluwa Fakorede on Medium

Giveaway:

A Heart♥Dictions Undated Planner

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To enter the giveaway:

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Entry closes Sunday, 18th February, 11:59pm.

A winner will be randomly selected and announced on the last day of the series, 22nd February, on the blog. Should be based in Port Harcourt or Lagos or can take care of delivery charges outside these cities. The winner would receive their prize within one week of announcement. Good luck!

A toast to intentionality and goal smashing this year!

Love,

Annie.