Just over a year ago, my husband returned from a trip to Senegal and said, “Baby, let’s move to Senegal.

Moving to Africa had always been a daily prayer of mine. I remember when my mother first visited Ethiopia. She returned with gifts and stories of the home she stayed in, where the backyard was covered in opals. My mother’s pet name is also Opal. To me, that felt like another divine sign, whispering to keep dreaming of Africa.

Years later, in 2007 or 2008, I was blessed with the opportunity to compete in a beauty pageant in Ethiopia. Experiencing the country with my own eyes and feet changed me forever. That trip deepened my love for the continent, and the dream continued to grow inside me.

By 2014 or 2015, my husband had a show in Senegal, and I traveled with him. That trip was everything. The energy, the beauty, the spirit. I just knew, deep in my heart, that I would be back one day.

So for those who ask why I chose Senegal… I chose it because it felt right. It felt like home. We also have friends and family in Senegal and Gambia, which makes the transition even softer. Being held by a circle of people who care for you is a gift.

Now that I’m here, I feel so blessed. I feel emotional because this has been a prayer on my lips and a vision in my heart for so long. To speak a dream, to stay faithful to it, and then to watch it come alive is one of the most fulfilling feelings.

So I invite you to come visit the continent. Come to Senegal and see it for yourself. And I bless you with the courage to commit to your own dreams. Be brave. Be soft. Be willing to take the risk. Because sometimes the unknown holds more joy than you ever imagined.

I can’t wait to share more of this journey with you.

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