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Happy Sunday 👋🏾,

First off, I owe you all an apology for not sending out Life Unfiltered over the past two weeks. It’s been a busy time, and there’s been some unfortunate news. Don’t worry – we’re all good – and I might touch on it next week. But this week is about something far more important: celebration.

Last week, it was my dad’s 60th birthday. But this wasn’t just any party. As the day unfolded, I realised it was more than just a gathering; it was a moment to stop, reflect, and honour someone who has spent decades quietly supporting everyone around him without ever asking for recognition.

Let me tell you, though, getting to this day wasn’t easy. Seven months of planning – and there were plenty of moments when we thought about calling it off. At one point, we joked about just sending him abroad to save the stress! But my dad? He’s worth it. He deserves to be celebrated. And seeing so many of his friends, family, and colleagues turn up for him made every sleepless night, every invoice, and every last-minute panic worth it.

“Save Your Pockets”

Originally, this was supposed to be a surprise party. But my dad found out, and in true Dad fashion, his first reaction was: “You don’t need to do this – it’s just another year!” He even said, in his best Nigerian dad voice, “Save your pockets!” Classic Dad, always thinking about everyone else first.

He even tried to convince us to wait. “You can celebrate me at 70,” he said. But I told him something I think we all need to remember: “Who says you’ll be here at 70? Let’s not take this for granted. And when you do get to 70, we’ll celebrate you again.”

If you’ve been following my newsletters, you’ll know I’m passionate about this: don’t wait to celebrate the people you love. Give them their flowers while they can still smell them.

This was our chance to do that for my dad.

Sacrifices Big and Small

My dad has given so much to me, my siblings, and the people around him. He left everything he knew to start over in a new country, working long hours in jobs no one else wanted. All to make sure we had opportunities he didn’t.

But as a kid, I didn’t fully understand those sacrifices. In my mind, I was always questioning: We could do this better. Why aren’t you around more? Why do we live here? Why do I always have to give up my bed for my cousins?

Now, as a dad myself, I look back on those moments and see them for what they were: his way of building a foundation for us. Every long shift, every hard decision, every time he put us before himself – it was all to make sure we had a better life.

And I see how much of him is shaping who I am as a father today. His love, his strength, and his selflessness have become my blueprint.

A Moment That Caught Me Off Guard

There was one moment during the party that completely caught me off guard. My mum gave a speech and, in it, mentioned something most people in the room didn’t know: I’m not my dad’s biological son.

Of course, I’ve known this for a long time. But it was clear many of the guests didn’t. And honestly? That moment was a testament to who my dad is. He’s never treated me any differently.

When I was in foster care as a child, it was him who wanted to bring me back home to London. And he did. I didn’t even realise until my early teens that he wasn’t my biological dad. But that’s never mattered to me.

He’s the only dad I’ve ever known, and he’s the only one I’ll ever see as my dad. Anyone can be a father, but it takes someone big, loving, and selfless to truly be a dad.

Don’t Wait

As I write this, I keep coming back to one thought: don’t wait. Don’t wait for the “right time” to show the people you love how much they mean to you. Whether it’s a big celebration or a simple phone call, take that time now. Celebrate the sacrifices they’ve made, the love they’ve shown you, and the foundation they’ve built for you.

If there’s someone in your life who’s quietly been supporting you, why not take a moment today to tell them you appreciate them? Trust me, it’ll mean more than you know.

Quote of the Week

Have a great week!

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