It’s no secret that I love Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. Look at the posts I’ve written about her. I rarely feel so deeply about a public figure, but Chimamanda is a bold, beautiful, intelligent Igbo girl, so what’s not to love? And she’s even from Anambra, too. If I reach far and grasp a few straws, I might find that she’s my cousin. Anyway, let me tell you about our meeting and subsequent love story. It’s juicy!
It went down at the Charles E. Miller Branch of Howard County Library. When I found out about the event, I immediately registered myself and Igwe, even though we already had a wedding to attend on that day. The event was set for 2:00 PM and honestly, at the time of registration, I did not know what kind of event it was exactly, All I knew was that my BFF was going to see there and I would finally see her with my own two koro koro eyes.
My plan was to buy her books that I did not have yet (We Should All Be Feminists and Dear Ijeawele or A Feminist Manifesto in Fifteen Suggestions), have the books signed, and take a picture with her. Then after the picture, I would tell her that I was a big fan and would love to take her to lunch. That was the plan. How hard could it be, right? Toh!
However, at the event, we found out that in addition to the signatures not being personalized, she would also not be taking any pictures. Chei. No wahala. I figured my woman-chasing moves lunch invitation would have to go out another time and another way.
The event was everything I hoped it would be. She answered several questions that ranged from her writing process to why she has refused to be on social media (her Instagram account is managed by her niece). I nodded in agreement to and understanding of all that she said. I was marveled by the audience, too, but that’s a story for another day.
It was a one-and-half-hour event that started at 2:00 PM, and at 3:00 PM, it was time for questions and answers, I threw my hand up in the air, hoping to be eventually called upon, but instead of eventually being called, I was called first. Before I knew it, there was a microphone in my hand and I was addressing my BFF in front of everybody. I don’t know what my exacts words were, but I basically told her that I have mentioned on my blog that she’s my BFF in my head and that my Sweet Potatoes keep tagging me in Chimamanda-related stories and saying to me, look what your BFF has done again. At the end, I said, I just want to know when I will get to take you to dinner.
The room of 300 people erupted in laughter and applause. In fact, dare I say that I received a standing ovation from some? There were some lovely ladies behind me who shouted Black Girl Magic and something about Naija. I hailed back, “My people!” Chimamanda laughed too. The moderator playfully rolled his eyes at me and said, “Next question!” implying that mine wasn’t a real question. I thought to myself, this guy must not know how far a determined Nigerian is willing to go. Ar the end, I felt like I had gained new friends. So many people came up to me and said they loved my proposal and hoped that I’d get my dinner date.
But let me tell you something, Sweet Potatoes, I don’t know what got into me and made me decide to ask her to dinner so openly. Never mind the fact that I actually wanted to ask her to lunch, not dinner. Although I have held a mic at many, many events, this time was different. The longer I spoke, the shakier my voice became. I could hear myself talking, and I couldn’t recognize my own voice. And then it felt like all the blood had drained from my body and now settled in my legs which were heavier yet weaker. When I eventually sat back down, I needed a minute to catch my breath and the air conditioner must not have been blowing enough because I was hot. Either there wasn’t enough oxygen in the room or my nostrils were doing a poor job of getting enough. I just needed more air!
Oh, nothing. Just Chimamanda casually signing books and looking all shades of gorgeous
By the time we stood in line to get our books signed, normalcy had returned to my body and I was now calmer. When I got to her, I became like a man determined to get his woman. I slipped her my card and told her I was serious about that dinner (again, I meant to say lunch). She looked at my name, then asked in Igbo, “Vera Ezimora … akwa imulu nnwa?” [Vera Ezimora … you had a baby, right?]
Aaaahhhh!!!! My people, that was me fainting. I felt like screaming at the top of my lungs, “Yes! Yes! That was me! Amulu’m nnwa!!!” [I had a baby!] And then I’d turn to Igwe and say, “And this is the guy whose sperm I used to muo the nnwa” [born the baby]. But I didn’t say all that. You guys, Chimamanda knows the activities of my womb! She knows what my fallopian tubes did!! If this isn’t love, I don’t know what is. Then like every other mom, I quickly pulled my phone out and displayed the proof of my motherhood. She said, “Ohhh, a girl…” And then I introduced her to Igwe who was cheesing like he was being tickled in his special place. He was starstruck – as was I. No shame in our game.
Waiting to ask for a picture
And then I met a long time Sweet Potato, Ebele. She’s been reading for yearrrsss! Thank you, Ebele *kisses*
We waited till most people were gone before I timidly approached her for a picture, in spite of the no-picture rule. She gladly obliged me. She even stood up for the picture and said she had no choice but to take the picture since a friendship had been imposed on her. Bia, Chimamanda, that one is your own oh! I am your BFF and you are my BFF and we are now in a relationship. Or in the words of my fellow students during my high school days, we now go together. In Naija lingo, we are an item. Signed. Sealed. Delivered. Kpom Kwem. QED. End of discussion.
E don happen!
I’m quite ashamed at the wideness of my smile. I was too happy.
When Igwe asked if he too could take a picture, she said he was the man of her new BFF and so she had to take a picture. Besides, Igwe looked like a big man (her words). Igwe has been using her words since Saturday oh. Any small thing, he will tell me that Chimamanda said he’s a big man and that I am the one who does not know his value. If he continues down this path, I might dash him to Chimamanda. I have a strong feeling he would gladly go too.
Just look at Igwe being timid.
If we did not have to rush off to a wedding, we would have stayed longer and maybe escorted her to her car and then secretly trailed her to her house. On a serious note, what I feel for her is so much pride. I am superbly proud of her. It is good to see my Igbo Nigerian sister excelling. I love it. I am inspired. And the fact that she knows my womb is icing on the cake.
So, will we have this lunch (or dinner, if she prefers?) My answer is a solid yes, We have not communicated since we met, but I’m sure that it will happen. I don’t know when or how or where, but it will happen. And when it does, I’ll tell you.
P.S. Now that I have met and taken pictures with Chimamanda, don’t let me ever, ever refer to me as just a writer/blogger oh! I am now Vera Ezimora, Chimamanda’s BFF.
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Awwww!!!! I was just blushing throughout. I think I need to borrow your bold moves.
She will surely invite you for her events specially.
Gracie, please do borrow the moves oh. It makes me think of what other areas in life I need to be bold with.
Hi Vera, Chimamda’s BFF! LOL!! Very funny post especially the “amulu’m nwa” part.
Hope you get your dinner date with her. She’s too cool for words.
Onyinyechi ~ http://www.onyixtus.com
First of all, I thank you for addressing me by my new title. Lol. And I’m looking forward to the dinner date too.
Hehe. Nice to know you’ve finally met your bff. I hope your dinner pulls through. I’ll love to see a post about it.
Thank you, Zaram! I’ll definitely post about it when it happens.
Lol. It finally came to true! I’m so excited 😆
It finally did!!! I’m so thrilled.
Wow so happy for you and congrats to ur new bff relationship with chimama. Love her to bits and I believe u will get that date with her cos now she knows ur womb lol. Will be looking forward to reading about that dinner date blog.
Hahahahaha. Yes ooo. Nothing predicts a relationship like the knowing of another person’s womb. Lol. Thank you, Nuella!
Hahahahaha! Finally oh! Thank God. I’m so happy for you.
Yes, thank God indeed. Now you people can have your piece. Lol.
LOL! Congratulations Vera 😛
Quick question: What was her rationale for staying off social media? I’m on a social media hiatus and I am very interested in why she stays off as well…
She said she believed that when you spend all this time reading what people are saying to you and about you. you may eventually stat listening to them and that might affect your authenticity. Also, she said that arguing or “discussing” with someone on social media was like talking to a ghost. She’d much rather have a face to face conversation.
So, what’s your own reason for your social media hiatus?
P.S. I still plan on writing at least one more post about the Chimamanda meeting
Very hilarious. I am so happy for you. Vera, Chimamanda’s BFF.
@bubu_afrique
Thank you oh, my darling! 😀
You will not kill me with laughter!! I’m so happy for you and I believe the dinner will come. Great write up as usual. Was dancing azonto on your behalf.
Thank you for the Azonto support oooo. I need all the Azonto I can get. Looking forward to the dinner. Thank you so much.
Hahaha I’m both happy for and jealous of you. I imagine I would be as star-struck if I ever met her. Lol.
Ife, please jealous me oh! You have every reason to do so. Lol. She was absolutely awesome.
Hi Vera,
It as greast meeting you. I have to commend you on your bravery in asking “our” BFF to dinner. I hope she gives you your wish. Keep keeping on.
p.s. you and I are also BFF’s in my head.
Yayyyyyyyyyy!!!! Me, your BFF in your head? Aaa, I have arrived! Thank you, Ebele. It was an absolute pleasure meeting you too. But biko, stop calling my Chimamanda our BFF oh
Lmao… Vera Ezimora, Chimamanda’s BFF you are something else. I’m here at work counting down the time so I can get off in 20mins and I just saw your new post. 😂 You will not kill me with laughter lol… As Chimamanda’s little sister I totally understand how you feel 😉 but you’re even more brave actually following through to ask her on a date. Na you biko 👍 dont worry that date will happen and I want to hear all about it. Love reading whatever you write, you always put a smile on my face.
Take care dear,
xoxo
Chigi.
http://www.chigisworld.com
Awwwwwwww. Chigi, dalu, nwa nne’m! If my posts can put a smile on your face, then I am so fulfilled. Thank you. When our date does happen, you know I will not hesitate to tell you all about it. And when we’re getting married, I’ll send you an invitation. Lol.
I was cheesing all through reading this post, its an awesome feeling meeting someone you greatly admire and even moreso when they know you or about you!
We’ll be waiting for your next meetup update Chimamanda’s BFF lol.
Wow! Congrats on meeting your BFF. I like your boldness. Love her too! But come o… how did she know about your womb?
Hope you dinner date comes through.
Nne, amaro’m ooo. I don’t know how she knew about my womb. But I suddenly feel like my womb is famous and any baby that has the pleasure of doing time there should better hail me every day. When we do have the lunch/dinner, I’ll be sure to ask her about it cause I’m very curious.
Go Vee with ur bold self. Don’t be throwing shades at my brother. Nice picture though.
Thank you, boo thang. And your brother deserves all the shade he gets.
😊.. Hello, Chimamanda’s new BFF. This is my first time on your blog and I reeeaally love this post about meeting Chimamanda. I am a fan too and your write up kept me day dreaming about me meeting her some day too 😇(to be a BFF).Plus, I will also borrow one of your bold skills too anyway
Hi Toluwalope!!
Welcome, my darling! I love reading from new Sweet Potatoes. Please stay around and read some more posts. Per Chimamanda, I hope you meet her too. Although I don’t think you can be her BFF since I’ve already taken that spot. Tehehehe. Welcome to Verastic *HUGS*
Chimamanda’s BFF!! Awesome.. I love that photo of her with Igwe. I hope to meet her someday as well. I’m sure your dinner will happen someday, take lots of photos for use oo…
Love notes to the men in my life
Ahhh! You know I will definitely take lots of photos. No doubt! Trust and believe. I’m looking forward to the dinner/lunch.
LOL I had a similar experience at an Americanah event a few years ago. My friends and I waited til the very end to beg for personalized signed copies of her book and a photo opp. Crazy thing is that I told her she’s my BFF too 😛
Awwwww. So I’m not alone! I think she’s just really cool. And obviously very smart. I admire any woman isn’t afraid of taking the road less traveled.
chai! That was some boss move Mehn..Why did my Post sub come in late?? Vera
Lol at the boss moves. I had to try nah! And what post sub are you talking about?
See how I am grinning from ear to ear. Yaaaaaaayyyyyy. All hail Vera Ezimora,Chimamanda’s BFF.
Awww… Wow!
I’m smiling hard. Happy for you.
I like Chimamanda, she is an intelligent woman.
Don’t know how I got here on your blog,nice one!
http://www.ckjacob.com
Thanks a lot! Don’t know how you got here either, but I’m glad you did. I hope you come back 😀
Awwwwww!
I smiled throughout this post, and laughed out loud at specific bits as well, I absolutely love the way you narrate your stories. I can’t imagine what I would have done, chances are I would have totally acted along the same lines as yourself or my social anxiety might have kicked in and had me acting “normal”, lol.