Do You Know "Online Valentine"?

It's day 45 of documenting 2025.

Happy Valentine's Day 🥰
Let this day of love be a reminder for you to love the first most important person in your life......you.
Be kind and compassionate and caring to YOU.
Before you can love another,
You must first love yourself.

Before I continue my thoughts about Valentine's,
(Like I said I would in yesterday's post....)
I want to tell you how my day went yesterday.
It so happens, I finalized my registration for the JAMB exam yesterday.
I'm officially a Jambite 😁
The day itself was a mix of camaraderie and observations.

So, it started with a bumpy road trip to the location.
Lagos roads are the worst!
Especially if you live in the mainland.
But I believe things will get better.
Anyways we got there and met other people waiting to be registered.
Forms were handed out and instructions were given on how to fill it.
Then the wait began.

My brother came along with me to register as well.
So we waited.
For some reason I wasn't particularly interested in my phone.
I just wanted to observe.
I saw people on the their phones; tapping, scrolling, smiling at the screens.
Consuming God knows what.
It made me remember how digital the world already is.
I walked around, sat, stood and continued observing.
Ladies and guys in different outfits that can only make you imagine what kind of person they are.

My brother was on his phone, connected to a power bank.
Portable power banks was a common sight yesterday.
A necessity, to survive the long wait.
And a long wait it was.
As the morning wore off, people were clustered together in the shady areas, seated in plastic chairs.
I finally decided to sit down and dozed off, occasionally looking up to see if the world was ending.
(Scratch that last part! 😂)

Well, I had my fair share of snacks, discussion and laughter.
My brother sponsored our refreshments, after paying for transport earlier.
He's a sweetheart like that.
Big Sis got a break from the bills 😄
We talked about universities and course choices.
Eventually he was called for his biometric capturing.
An hour later, around 3pm or so,
He emerged from the registration hall, holding the signature book all registered persons were given.

After what seemed like ages, I was called for my registration.
I still had to wait for my turn.
Which was, like an hour later.
The person in front of the computer called the next person.
I was next.
In 30 minutes, I was done.
Freedom!! 🙌

I couldn't leave for home immediately because it was a group trip. I had to wait till everyone was registered.

I finally left the compound to wait in the car that brought us there.
My brother and I had the space to ourselves.
Then I got my phone out.
I replied messages and read the book for the day as well.

Ann Handley's book, "Everybody Writes" gave pretty valuable insights on making the most important message the first thing the readers see.
The book is a gold mine. 🪙 
I haven't reached half the book, but I know. 

By 7:30 pm, it was time to go.
The car filled up in minutes.
We were four in the seat.
Not quite comfortable.
As the car started, the guy beside me asked if I liked reading.
The poem I wrote (Online Valentine) was on display, so I guess that's why he asked.
I told him yes and that I wrote the poem.
He asked if he could read it.
I handed him my phone.
As he read out loud, he exclaimed, in between stanzas,"Wow, this is nice".
(Don't worry, I'll share it at the end of this post 😉)

I got my my phone back and I proceeded to design the carousel format for the poem.
Starting with the title.
The guy, still peeking at my phone, asked what I was doing.
I explained to him and he asked if I could do more with the design.
I showed him how I usually created the design.

Then he asked to 'try something'.
I handed him my phone and he fiddled with the settings and design elements.
I could tell he's passionate about design.
He then told me of an app I could use offline that had better design features.

I downloaded the app and was amazed as he showed me what I could do with it.
He designed the title, "Online Valentine" in this new app and my jaw dropped 😲
The design was way better.

The guy, who introduced himself as Bliss, told me how he made a design that his father loved, after several attempts.
How he 'just knew' how to design, saying that nobody taught him how to do it.
Talk about talent ✨
He also told me of another app he uses to study for JAMB.
Completely offline!
I downloaded it ASAP.
Minutes later, he got off at his stop and I waved goodbye.
Before that, we exchanged numbers.
Then I got home, tired and sleepy.
But I smiled tho....
I made a new friend 🙂
Yesterday wasn't so bad after all.

That's all about how yesterday went.
Now about my thoughts on Valentine's Day....
I have a lot of them 💭
But I'll share the ones I can remember now.

Valentine's Day is a day for love.
You know that already.
Couples are the main highlight of the day, as well as the promoters of self-love.
Common question is,
"Who's your val?"
Duon says, your Val can be a friend.
Someone you care about or someone you're in a relationship with.
Either way, there's no one who can tell me, that they don't have a person they would think of on this day.
That special someone ☺️

Although, some people choose only today to 'prove their love' for someone.
That's where problems arise.
A simple call or special message says a whole lot.
A lot more than trying to spend money in a materialistic manner.

Final thought.....
Valentine's Day is just one day.
One day that will pass in a couple of hours.
You can show how much you love someone every single day.
By being there.
In good times and worst times.
By spending time and having wonderful moments. 💖
With a mix of laughter, joy and that desire for that moment to last forever.

I'm thinking of that special someone right now.
He knows how much he means to me and I can't thank God enough for reconnecting me with him.
Would I say I'm in love with him?
Maybe....
But for now, we're still friends.
And I don't want to ruin that.

Do you know the song 'love story' by Indila?
It's a French love song.
The lyrics talk about lost love and separation, and hope of being together again.
But it's melody is more like a lullaby and a tune for special moments.
If you haven't heard it, take some time today to do so.
You may not understand the lyrics, but it's tune will strike a chord.

That's all about my thoughts, my friend.
I wish you a wonderful Valentine's Day once again 💕
Make sure you show up for that special someone.
I say this with my full chest and proud shoulders: a call or a text is worth more than a hundred dollar bills.
You know why I say that?
Because money can't buy special moments.
Yeah, I said it!

I'm going to end this post with another poem I wrote in the spirit of Valentine's Day.
It's called, Online Valentine.
I wrote it two years ago and refined it this year.
It's theme is mainly love in the digital age.
Now let me ask you,
Can you really love someone you met online?
Ponder that 🤔

Thanks for reading, my friend.
Enjoy the special day and I'll see you tomorrow.
By the way, I'm Duon Ada.
Ciao 😘

Online Valentine

We started off with a simple hi,
Days passed as our words ran high.
Stickers, emojis, laughter bright,
Midnight chats that felt so right.

I fell for you through pixelled screens,
A love unseen, yet in between.
We're worlds apart, it's safe to say,
Yet here we are, day by day.

Roses, hugs, just digital dreams,
Not in touch, but real it seems.
February 14, I’m online,
Hey, would you be my valentine?

A fleeting spark or something more?
Are we just friends, or meant for more?
No strings attached, just play along,
Unless you’d like to prove me wrong.

Virtual love, so bittersweet,
Yet somehow, it feels complete.
February 14, I’m online,
Hey, would you be my valentine?

PS. I designed this poem for a beautiful carousel on my Instagram poetry page, MysticVerses.
I plan to upload it today.
When it's up, be sure to like and share.
Visit MysticVerses to see other amazing poems.