Dear 30's

That is a picture of 21 year old me, can I please keep that size? I really like that dress. Yes, that’s one of the things my 20's introduced me to; obsessions with the superficial — weight, hair, skin, nails and the number of likes on Instagram. I am currently walking away from these trivialities and finding meaning in things that really matter.

Honestly 30's I am looking forward to meeting you, some of my favorite people in the world have met you and they say you are fabulous in person. You are kind, mature, relaxed and focused.

We are going to have so much fun together, travel continents and taste every dish in the world. I wonder if I will still love food by the time we meet.

I will also introduce you to my 20's. She is fun (sometimes), pretty (I think), has a good heart (I hope) and is so much in love. She is a Legal Practitioner and is working towards changing the world (ambitious right?). She also has some issues which I am hoping meeting you will help her resolve. She battles depression from time to time and she puts way too much pressure on herself (truthfully, I ALWAYS tell her to relax). She gets scared very easily and this predisposes her to mistakes. She has made a number of costly errors but her strength is admirable. She will dust herself up and move on.

She recently attained emotional and psychological maturity (Hallelujah!), maybe not 100% yet, she is a work in progress but I am proud of her still.

She is very shy and some people think she is sweet. I hope you like her. She is obsessed with books (I assume this is something you both will have in common) and is currently reading 7 books at the same time.

She has some bad habits though — She could be stubborn, she spends way too much time on Twitter and is sometimes lazy (she literally has to be harassed into cleaning her room).

My 20's doesn't have a lot of money and is currently driving a shoddy car that takes too much of the little she has. Will you give her some money when you meet? or at least get her a WAY better car. This one gulps too much in repair and maintenance.

Dear 30's how much hope do you still have in Nigeria? or has she broken your heart far too many times? My 20's believes so much in Nigeria and she tries to portray this in her own little way. Most people say this positive attitude will change when she meets you — I hope not.

I have some questions for you. Are you still in love with that awesome boyfriend of yours? Is he still crazy about you? (I hope the answer is yes). I will not ask you about marriage as I am not big on this. To me, it is the substance of a relationship that counts. However, if you are married good for you and him! *again, I hope it is the same bae oh*.

Do you have children? (or at least a baby girl I can dress up like the Princesses in Frozen), where do you live? (part of me says not in Nigeria, I am still conflicted on this). Did you finally get that Ivy League PhD? Are you fat? (sorry no offence, I just need to know what size of clothes to buy you), are you now fluent in Mandarin? Did you perfect your cooking skills? Do you still play Tennis? and very importantly, I hope you clean your room without coercion.

I know you are not superficial at all so I am looking forward to an acquaintance with the things you care about.

Grapevine has it that you are a big shot Lawyer who plays an active role in the legal and policy reforms Nigeria is in dire need of— Is this true?

Are you as courageous as my 20's? Are you happy? — I pray you are. I really don’t like that scowl that comes with age.

Honestly 30's I am super duper excited about meeting you. Our meeting will take another six years but I am counting down. I can not wait for the wonderful experiences we will build and have together. We (I and bae) will share all our plans with you — I hope you endorse them.

And above all I am praying you will be proud of the woman in my 20's.

I love you already dear 30's! Please be kind to me.

With all the love in the world ……….

Moe