I’ve read stories about love so many times, both here and in books, and I often wonder when Cupid will finally aim an arrow at me. I want to love too, and I believe I deserve that kind of love.

Well, I’ve been in a relationship before, and it didn’t survive. Not because I didn’t like him or love him, far from it. Our pockets were too empty. As it turns out, love is sweet, but when money enters, love becomes sweeter. Our love felt too heavy to carry to the finish line because we didn’t have the means. I was struggling, and he was struggling too. Eventually, we ignored each other and parted ways. Since then, I’ve been unexpectant when it comes to love.

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I don’t have money like that, but I’m surviving. By day, I’m a teacher, and by evening, I’m a watchman. You see, I barely sleep. My salary is small, and like a spirit, it vanishes almost as soon as I receive it. My dreams of love, and other dreams have been forced to wait.

I recently turned 28, and I didn’t care to plan a thing. No cake, no gifts, no celebration. I felt I had no reason to celebrate myself, and I believed it was just another day that would come and go like any other.

Apparently, life had other plans.

My learners asked me to step out for a moment and breathe. I didn’t think much of it, so I did. When I returned, I was in awe. The sight before me shut my mouth, and my heart beat fast with amusement and joy all wrapped together.

There was a bento cake, a few balloons scattered around, and wide smiles lighting up the room. Smiles that could rival the sunrise. When they opened their mouths and sang “Happy Birthday” with voices so full of joy, I felt it seep into my bones. You know how kids get excited about celebrations. I stood there, speechless.

In that moment, I saw my children, my students, who knew absolutely nothing about how life had been treating me. They didn’t know the circles I was running in or the weight I carried. All they knew was that it was their teacher’s birthday, and they wanted to surprise her.

They didn’t care how much money they had, what they owned, or what they lacked. All they knew was that I mattered to them, and they wanted to celebrate me.

That moment brought something to light. I had love, but I was busy trying to find it elsewhere. Yes, I didn’t find my lobster, the sugar in my koko, or someone to hold my hand under a sunset. But love found me in that room.

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It found me in the laughter of children wearing school uniforms, in their thoughtfulness, and in the way they looked at me as though I was worth celebrating.

It reminded me of what I had forgotten. Love isn’t always grand or romantic like the movies or the stories people fine-tune. Sometimes, it is small, pure, and unshakeable. It is in the people who choose to see you when the world walks past.

I’ve read stories here where love finds men. How about me? Well, love has already found me.

And when I looked into those little faces that day, I knew love doesn’t always come when you’re ready. Sometimes, it comes when you need it the most.

—Gladys

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