Delice

I don’t remember the exact moment I met Dede, but I know it was at our book club, where fellow avid readers gathered to review and discuss stories. Our connection was instant, and loving her came effortlessly. At the time, she was into spoken word poetry, while I was just a book-loving, knitting-obsessed university student—both of us dreaming of the people we’d become.

When I turned my knitting hobby into a business, Dede became my most loyal customer and cheerleader. She was the kind of supporter who recommended my products to others, never haggled over prices out of friendship, and always recognized hard work. Even after I paused my venture, she never stopped reminding me how much it was missed.

My first visit to the Kigali Convention Center was with her, following the book launch of My Name Is Life by Karen Bugingo. We explored every corner of the building—admiring the architecture, wandering through conference halls, and, of course, taking countless pictures.

Dede has been a constant through every season of my life. She stood by me as chapters ended and new ones began. She celebrated my graduation, was the first friend I told about my engagement, and stood beside me as my bridesmaid. She rejoiced in my motherhood, from the early days of my pregnancy to the moment she met my baby—and still does today. When I received the email confirming my dream job, she was the first to know and she was right there with me.

Loving Dede is effortless; being loved by her is a gift. After my husband, she is the only person who knows my wildest dreams, simply because she makes it safe to be vulnerable.

Dede is peace embodied. She adores brown nude outfits, loves ice mocha, and thrives on travel and discovery. Her joy is infectious, her wisdom profound. She has a soft spot for all things cute, aspirations that outshine her fears, and a deep respect for boundaries. Above all, she loves God fiercely.

I love Dede so much, and I pray I can be the friend she needs in every season of her life. I thank God for protecting her, guiding her, blessing her, and for the irreplaceable gift of her presence in my life.

May your new year be filled with the confidence of a woman who ‘laughs at the days to come,’ the joy of one who ‘speaks with wisdom,’ and the favor of God who crowns your faithfulness. Like a lamp that never goes out, may your light keep guiding, your compassion keep nurturing, and your dreams keep flourishing. Cheers to you my Dede!

‧₊˚❀༉‧₊˚. 𝓐𝓷𝓷𝓲𝓮  ‧₊˚❀༉‧₊˚.

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