Okay, since this is no longer the hidden link it once was, let's get to it. I've got something to tell you... come here, it's a secret...

Asante sana, squash banana, we we nugu, mi mi apana... ;) No, seriously...

There's someone out there who has meant a lot to me this past year. I met him close to a year ago, though I've known him for longer than that. I never in my wildest dreams thought when I went to meet him at the end of July 1996 that he'd become what he did in my life... but a day of looking into those brown eyes, and I fell -- hard. We had so much in common... from our favorite movies to our favorite colors, down to the watch we both wear, we're almost a mirror of each other, including in stubbornness and willpower, and the love we have for each other. Sometimes it almost seemed like we can read each other's minds... scary, but as taught me to say, kewl. :) He's one of the best friends a girl could have -- a caring listener and a good talker. He's also very handsome (though he'll never believe me on that one), from his dark brown eyes to his incredible grin. He's really fun to be around... one of the best things about him is he knew how to be a kid and get away from the "grown-up world" we all are starting to get pulled into at our age. Unfortunately, I'm getting pulled that way faster than he is. It started out awkward -- a handshake will never have the same meaning again, right, thandiwe? :) -- but it grew into something special. Who would've ever thought, a lion and a lynx. :)

Things have happened since then. Life for both of us hasn't gone as we would've liked it to. Holding together from Florida to New Jersey was difficult... and we recently stopped seeing each other. Call it the distance, call it what you like. It had to happen... it wasn't the right time.

It's a sad thing for me to rewrite this page this way. Part of me doesn't want to believe that such a cherished part of my life isn't there any more. It's hard to close a chapter when you're always looking back over your shoulder. This page was here to honor someone who meant the world to me. Now, it stands for the memories I'll always hold close.

So this one's to my lion... If our paths cross again, you know that I'll always be the first with a hug and some love.

I'm gonna miss you like crazy. La la kahle. I love you, thandiwe.

Every now and then,
We find a special friend
Who never lets us down...
Who understands it all,
Reaches out each time we fall,
You're the best friend that I've found...
I know you can't stay,
But part of you will never, ever go away;
Your heart will stay...
I'll make a wish for you
And hope it will come true,
That life will just be kind
To such a gentle mind.
And if you lose your way,
Think back on yesterday...
Remember me this way,
Oh, remember me this way.

--"Remember Me This Way" from Casper