It’s amazing how God uses the most unlikeliest interactions to help develop and grow a person. I can say that my chance encounter with Akilah has been just that “a development session”.

If you had known me roughly 10 years ago then I’d describe myself and the type of woman who unequivocally just didn’t do women. I was a heavily guarded person whose mindset was strictly about the business with no room for unnecessary friendships. That persona of me has slowly evolved over the course of time due to my friendship with Akilah.

It’s an honor and privilege to share the chronicles of our friendship and spiritual journey. I remember meeting you around 2008. We were both single parents with children close in age, and built a sense of community between our units.

Leading to other pivotal moments such as the invitation to join you in a financial freedom course in 2012. That was a significant moment for me learning how to budget. Something I had not done before nor had I been taught. That was the set-up bringing me forward into my financial freedom affording me the opportunity to purchase a home in 2017.

God sent me a hidden gem in her. Akilah has always been able to see into me from day one. I tried so hard to keep the masks on and she loved on me until I was able to become transparent and trusting in her. She chipped away at my exterior to help me get to the real reasons I kept dealing with pain and accepting less than God had for me.

I knew the day that Akilah and I met wasn't just a coincidence, however, I had no idea just how big of a role she'd end up playing in my life's story. The day we met we immediately clicked and exchanged numbers. Two weeks later I received a call from her inviting me to become a part of the life group she'd be leading.