It was November 2002. I was in my last semester of college, taking one measly credit hour pass/fail (don’t ask). At that time my sister Nneka was the president of Baylor University’s African Student Association, and they were hosting a big event at the school. Under the guise of supporting my little sister, I and the now-happily-married Chima Nwokolo went up to Waco to, as I put it, “see what we could see” (which roughly translates into scoping chicks). The hair was cut, the gear was clean, and it was on! We rolled up there stuntin in my Black Ford Explorer – four 12’s bangin, chrome wheels blingin, custom grilled up, visors screened up, and Playstation 2 in full effect. As a matter of fact, I even washed it before we left. Now if you know me at all, then you know that me washing my car means serious business. After nearly running us off the road while trying to simultaneously drive and watch National Lampoon’s Van Wilder (which was the reason I immediately took the PS2 out of my car upon returning), I eventually got us to Baylor. There was a talent show that night, and though I don’t recall seeing any talent, I do recall meeting two beautiful young Nigerian ladies in silly t-shirts sitting in front of us. One said “Often Speaks Out of Turn,” and the other said “Easily Distracted.” The girl in the “Easily Distracted” shirt especially caught my eye. Little did I know that 1) that shirt was extremely accurate, and 2) that girl would be THE girl. Later on that night, Chima and I were chillin in somebody’s room (I forget whose), and in walks “Easily Distracted.” The first thought that ran through my head was, “That is the perfect Black girl.” She was just perfect to me. And she still is.  We didn’t even talk much that trip, mostly because I was playing the “Quiet Game” (translation: too good to talk), and to make it worse, she ended up having to leave early. As she left, I remember wondering, “I wonder if I’ll ever see that girl again.”  

During the course of the weekend’s events I met all these mad cool Naija peeps that all happened to belong to the same web community, the infamous Naijaryders.com. I’d seen Chima and his brother Ugo on it 24/7 when they came to my house, and finally realized why. So when we got back from Waco, I wanted in on the action. I had Chima (who was a superstar on the board at the time) post an introduction for me so I could ride the coattails of his “celebrity”, and the ploy worked – my welcome thread was flooded with responses. Among the many responses was one from a girl whose username was “chic”. Under her name was her picture…and lo and behold, it was “Easily Distracted!” I was so excited I instantly sent her a private message. Eventually PMs turned to IMs, IMs turned to phone calls, 15-minute phone calls became 3-hour marathons, and like turned to love. And years later, after I dumped “Easily Distracted,” I met Ngozi. And just in case you’re slow, the previous sentence was a joke.