Felicia’s Story: I had a reading in August of 2021 by my sweet friend Dani. She described a love that was coming my way. It described as a love so sweet… a love so pure. A love that I’ve dreamed about but didn’t think there was a man in an earthly body that could ever deliver. She described him as a man my father and my dearly departed friend Faith loved for me and approved of. She said I would teach him so much and he offered so much for me to learn. She said that like me, he’d have an affinity for the moon. He sounded like a fairy tale but I remained open to a love such as this. A few months later my sister friends and I were talking about our brothers and how handsome they were. One my my friends showed us a picture of her brother and I took one look and said, “oh that’s going to be my husband!” The man was strikingly handsome y’all! We laughed about it and for months I’d ask her how my husband was doing not knowing I was manifesting my love. Several months later, I was at my Godmother’s Ocha Compleanos, a special anniversary in our IFA tradition. My friends brother was in town and she said he would be at the party! Of course I pretended like it was no big deal but I couldn’t wait to lay eyes on him in the flesh! I get to the celebration and he’s literally the first place my eyes are drawn to when I walk through the door. Y’all know I fancy myself quite the fake thug so I played it cool. Even when we were introduced, instead of staring seductively (ok maybe creepily) into his eyes, I gave my politest Madea inspired “heller.” When it was time to eat I SOMEHOW ended up seated next to him (wink wink) and made a bit of small talk to check his temperature. I couldn’t tell either way what this man was thinking! I spent a good portion of the evening stealing glances and not being disappointed at what I saw with each peek. He went outside for a bit to take a call from his daughter. When he came back in, he made a point to come over to me and run his hands on my arms…

and said “Maaan, it’s cold out there!” I said verbally, “yeah it IS cold out there!” In my mind I said “oh I think he like me!!!” We left that event and went to my little sis’ bday celebration and while inside he asked me if I wanted to step outside and talk for a bit because… you know… it was “loud”… and I’m thinking “oh I KNOW he likes me!” He didn’t ask for my number though… so there was that part… I was supposed to go over his sisters house (my sister friend) for a game night the following day but it didn’t happen. I went to my Madrina’s house again three days later for more family time and he was there again. This time he sat next to ME when it was time to eat. We talked a little bit more. I stole glances at him… pretended to not see him stealing glances at me… the evening came to a close and he was leaving the very next day y’all! Before he left I magically appeared by the door before he left. He reached down to give me a hug… the best hug… the sweetest hug… the warmest hug… and it was in that moment I knew… this isn’t the end… it’s the beginning… he still hadn’t asked for my number though y’all… I sit back at the table and just a few minutes later my sister friend is calling me. He gets on the phone and says “I was wondering if it would be ok for me to have your number.” Me being the fake thug that I am said “oh yeah, sure, have your sister give it to you and I’ll get yours from her.” I was a cool as a cucumber and had to sit there for the rest of the evening trying to not have the silly “see! I KNEW he liked me!!” Look on my face. He called me when he got to the airport the next day and I don’t think we’ve hung up the phone yet. We went down quickly and deeply and we’ve yet to come up for air. Besides, who needs air with a love like this?

I came to Buffalo on vacation, not knowing that I’d even be attending a party. My sister invited me to come along to an event with her and the family,but I had no idea what I was walking into. I had no idea what Ifa was or what an Ifa ceremony was. I was a little thrown off, and a little nervous. It was all foreign to me. The setting was welcoming and comfortable and everyone felt like family, however I was still just a bit on edge. My family was participating in ceremony and I felt on the outside of what was taking place. More people arrived and I started to feel more comfortable because there were more people that seemed to also be observing. A little while later, Felicia, her mother and her daughter arrived. When Felicia walked in I immediately noticed her energy. I noticed that she had good energy and I wanted to figure out how I could approach her. I wanted to know more about her but I didn’t want to be shut down. She came and sat next to me when it was time to eat. Instead of hitting her with some of my best charm, I was thinking about how awkward I felt with my tall frame squished into a small chair. I noticed her plate and thought “well geez she can put it away!” The food there was amazing! I mentioned something about the food being good and that I wanted more Mac n cheese and Felicia asked if I wanted her to get me more… of course I did! And not just so I could watch her walk away! The whole time I’m sitting there next to her trying to figure out if she was partnered with any of the men there. Then a brown skinned guy with a big beard walks in and goes straight to her, excuses himself to get by me and sits next to her. I knew it was a wrap. Her man had clearly entered the scene. I was so discouraged and disappointed, I didn’t even look at his face. Had I looked in his face I would have noticed that he was actually a young man and had her whole face because it wasn’t her man, it was her teenaged son!

I felt like I was back in the running however there was still another guy there that was an Ifa practitioner that I thought she may have liked because he seemed like a nice guy! I went outside with my brother and talked to him about my interest in her and he hipped me to the fact that she was already feeling me! Ladies and gentlemen, it was go time! I stepped back into the house with renewed energy and confidence! I took every opportunity available to establish some chemistry between us. I had to be discreet because there was a houseful of people… or so I thought! Her mother and daughter both later told her that they saw me sneaking glances and observing her… We left the gathering and went to their friends birthday party. We were standing hip to hip and we were definitely vibing… I invited her to go outside and said it was because it was too loud… but really, I just wanted a moment alone with her… we were in Buffalo… in early May… so needless to say the cold chased us back inside. Our night came to an end but I thought she was coming over my sister’s house the next day… as much as I wanted her to come over, I was hesitant because I definitely didn’t want her to feel like I was family! Her daughter already called me Uncle Mark because that’s what my niece and nephew called me but I was NOT trying to be her mothers big brother! She didn’t end up coming over but I saw her at her Madrina’s house. I felt that we had a connection so it was easy to be in her presence and to share space. I asked some questions about what was going on and slid in some jokes to make her laugh. Our evening was coming to a close and I was traveling back home the next day. Everyone was saying their goodbyes and I knew that when it was time to say goodbye to her, I knew I was going to give her a hug. She embraced me with both arms and I loved how soft she felt. This was no church hug! Once I gave her that hug, I knew this wouldn’t be the end of our interactions, but just the beginning.