I met this girl today. Her name is Mariama. She welcomed me into her shop with a big smile and a warm “Na nga def?” ["How are you?" in Wolof].

I browsed the rugs, sundresses, and shoes all hand-made and imported from Madagascar while Shawn browsed the “boring guy stuff” [car parts] in the shop next door. 

Mariama and I chitchatted for a little while, talking about where she was from, where she was born, where her family lives, and how we both loved the multi-colored sundress in the window.

She asked me lots of questions as I continued to peruse her crowded shop/make-shift hair salon. “Tu viens d’où?” ["Where are you from?"] “What do you think of Senegal?” “How long have you been here?” “Are you married?” And we both took turns going back and forth, asking the typical getting-to-know-you questions.

Suddenly, amidst the game of 20 questions, I saw her shirt.

Love is the answer.

There it was. The reminder that I needed. The reminder that I always need.

Whatever the question, love is the answer.

On the look-out for t-shirt reminders,

J