How we met - Alex

My family and I were living in a refugee camp in Mukugwa, Tanzania, with other refugees fleeing the civil war in Burundi in 1996. I was around eight years old when I met Annie. She was with her parents at church. And that is all I can recall of her until we met again in 2000. At the wedding reception of Antoine and Socola, two family friends, fate brought us back together.

I was just about ten or maybe eleven years old. My friends were all much more relaxed than me. I was timid, especially when it came to girls. Besides, I had a slight build, which did not help my confidence. I was nearly blinded as my friend called me to meet his friend.

Have you ever had a feeling as though, though what you do next is going to define your destiny? Well, that is how I felt, getting flooded by emotions, my entire body itching, and heating and cooling down suddenly. At the time, however, I had experienced a lot. I was responsible for my family and had a tough time adjusting to school and learning, and I had no idea what was going on around me. I had a daily duel of navigating violence to get to school. I had no time to explore these emotions. So I decided to marry her if she were still available once I got my life together.

So I flirted a little. Or at least, what I thought was considered flirting. Well, if you consider looking someone in the eyes, saying "HI!" and running away, swearing to return as a prince. Then you are probably as delusional as I am, or maybe you are a believer. Ten years after our meeting in 2000, it took me ten years to finally reconnect with her.