A Flower Giving Flowers: My Roomie, Dr. Teej #433
During the Pandemic lockdown, I started making these “I See You Sis!” shoutout posts on my IG. I just saw and felt the need to love on folks and shoutout people doing dope things - specifically Black women. What a time that was.
So, I no longer completely subscribe to the idea of love languages because the founder of the framework is a POS; however, it can be helpful to understand how to connect with one another. Me myself personally, I am absolutely a words of affirmation girlie! I love words! I am also a Leo, so I love words about me, lmao! But I also LOVE to speak over other people too. I love writing letters and I love affirming people that I love.
So I’m bringing back the tributes in a new way, called “A Flower Giving Flowers“ - A series of letters, reflections and tributes to the folks who have loved me well.
First up, my DEAR friend, Dr. Terah “TJ“ Stewart.
How FIRM thy friendship: A Love Letter
Hey Roomie,
Connecting this past week in NOLA, marks the FIFTH time you've literally ushered me right into my next like... dimension in life??? Truly no exaggeration, friend. Shall we stroll down Memory Lane? (More like Lane Ave. Word to the Buckeyes! 🤣🗣️🗣️🗣️O-H!!!)
The receipts:
#1 - Picture it. 2010. THEE Ohio State University. I interviewed for a co-chair position on the African American Heritage Festival Committee. I got Gospel Fest. And you were our advisor. That was the first time I was really placed in a position of leadership. You empowered me to be a leader and honor my faith on campus.
#2 - Picture it. 2012. THEE Ohio State University. I was elected President/Director of the African American Voices Gospel Choir. Which you had previously served in three years prior. You told me I could do it, that I was supposed to. It just felt like such a big job. Because to my lil 21-year-old self, I had been trusted to be about my Father's business on campus! And it was not to be played with! ☝🏾🤣 And I did it. 🗣️A-A-V! Shoutout to Ash too. 🤍
#3 - Picture it. 2013. THEE Ohio State University. You had just organized the Pearls Project and was planning a Cabaret and asked me to sing with you. You trusted my lows. We did "Nothing Even Matters." Like?! 🥺 Shoutout to the Blue Jays! 💙🎤✨
Sing, Jaz! Look at my sis in the back. 🤣
Bitch, a serve!
*Also under the singing memories would be 2015, when you put the Blue Jay's on the marquee down to Brutus Buckeye's 50th birthday party. Literally had us in the studio recording overdubs and everything! My first time in the stu, might I add! A time! There was choreo, there were arrangements and modulations, because one thing the Blue Jays were NEVER doing?! Was stepping lightly. Period. 🥿✨
You ALWAYS empowered me as a singer. And every singer, knows what that's like to be affirmed by another singing ass fool. It's unmatched truly. And that's on #ComeAndJoinTheChorus. 🥺🎤
And Your Honor, let the record reflect that this was all BEFORE my king sang with Robyn and went tf viral! 🥿
#4 - Picture it. 2017. You were working on "Asé, iSlay, Amen" and asked me to write my first damn op-ed on my Black womanhood. I'm tearing up as I'm writing this because wow Teej. I had no idea how badly I needed to write about my Black womanhood. You have always seen me. You empowered me as a writer and told me that even my Twitter threads are intellectual property. Period! That’s how my Bruno Mars thinkpiece came to be!
*honorable mention here: when I told you I was applying to law school you were like "Oh absolutely sis. That's definitely you." And you was MF right. You are always near with a lil word, a lil love, a lil ki.
#5 - We totally had a full circle moment at #ACPA23 during your INCREDIBLE #FatOnCampus session. And it literally took me back to when you facilitated "Cross the Line" at the AAHF retreat! And you once again just casually ushered me home to marry it allllll together as I pursue education law at the intersections of queer justice, social action and technology. WHAT A TIME TO BE ALIVE, TRULY. 🥺✨
Like... we really been down like 4 flats on a Cadillac.
Teej, I am so deeply grateful for your friendship over the years. For the love, the songs, the kis, the work, the growth, for it ALL. To first see me at 19 years old and not only affirm me but to also trust me (time and time again!) to be a part of and contribute to your art and work in the world? There are no words. I literally can't even write anymore because I'm actually weeping but I really love you DEEP, Roomie. You are a wonder to behold.
To the Renaissance. To blooming. Asè, iSlay, Amen. O-H! A-A-V! #433
Love, Jazmine 🥿💜✨
PS: Remember when we did that digital investigation into that one “doctor”?! sksksksksksksk I LOVE US FOR REAL! 🤣🤣
