The Word Café Podcast with Amax
My unique message to the world is the power behind the words of our mouths. We have made light of it but cannot escape the fruits thereof. For me, words are the unit of creation, the building block on which our existence evolves. This podcast is for everyone who wants to better their living by using words and applying themselves wisely. I will be using the storytelling style fused with imaginative nuances to transport the listener to that place, where possibilities are not luxuries but everyday experiences; movie in voice.
This podcast will emphasize the power of routine, and what you repeatedly do, you most likely build capacity and expertise for what you repeatedly do. My podcast will help the listener learn how to practice success because the same amount of time you use in complaining is the same you can use to plant, build, prune, etc. I intend to draw the listener's attention to the power of their words.
The Word Café Podcast with Amax
S3 Ep. 220 A Father-Daughter Valentine's Day Love Story: Memories, Aspirations, and the Power of Family Bonding
Ever wonder how a single note slipped into a pocket could spark a life-changing romance? Join me, along with my daughter Jolivia, as we reminisce about the unforgettable moments that shaped our love story. As the first girl in a family of boys for over fifty years, Jolivia brings a fresh perspective to our Valentine's celebration, sharing her excitement about joining the show and embracing her dreams of becoming a gymnast.
Our conversation unfolds with a nostalgic journey back to where it all began—a Christian student organization conference in Nigeria. It was there that I first caught sight of my wife's radiant smile, and our story began with an old-fashioned note, daring to defy the norms of the time. We explore the joys of family life and marriage, reflecting on how those cherished memories serve as a foundation for aspirations and spreading kindness during the Valentine's season and beyond.
Finally, we shine a spotlight on the importance of family bonding, inviting Jolivia to dance and share in the simple joys of life. Through playful interactions, we highlight the importance of trust and openness with our children, fostering a deep connection that transcends generations. We wrap up with valuable insights on nurturing relationships with thoughtful gestures, sending listeners off with an invitation to connect with us on social media for more stories and shared experiences.
You can support this show via the link below;
https://www.buzzsprout.com/1718587/supporters/new
Okay, we are back. Did we ever leave? Yes, I have to start with those words before we go into anything. Good morning, good afternoon, good evening, good, everything. Yes, welcome to the World Cafe Live Show.
Speaker 1:I will always say that because you know that's what we do on the show. How are you again? I ask, not rhetorically now, I ask because I care. Part of the reason why we always come in here is because you are there. So how are you? I'm good, ah, super.
Speaker 1:You can see the way I'm smiling because I have something amazing on the show today. But before I say anything, there's love in the air. Yes, it's the season, we call it Valentine and you know how it goes 14th of February and all of that. I have this amazing personality on the show with me today. You want to see. Yes, it's a her, it's a she. I have my daughter with me on the show today. She's all smiling. I'm not going to introduce her. I will allow her to introduce herself the way we normally do on the show, that she's here with me on the show and I'll tell you more when she's done with introducing herself and we'll pick it up from there. Bella, how are you? I'm fine. I love your dress. You're all looking reddish now. How are you? I'm fine, You're fine. Yes, I love your dress, thank you. You're all looking reddish now, so let's get to meet you. Tell my audience what's your name.
Speaker 2:My name is Jolivia Amatri.
Speaker 1:How old are you?
Speaker 2:I am nine years old.
Speaker 1:What class?
Speaker 2:Year five Year five Year five Beautiful.
Speaker 1:Are you happy to be here?
Speaker 2:Yes.
Speaker 1:Tell me, tell me, what are you seeing in daddy's space?
Speaker 2:Joy, joy.
Speaker 1:Joy. So when you were told that you're coming to join daddy on the show today, what was it like?
Speaker 2:I was happy.
Speaker 1:Happy Mm-hmm. What else Excited?
Speaker 1:Mm-hmm what else Excited, mm-hmm, what else? I don't know, you don't know, you should know. So I brought my daughter on set today, for a reason, yes, and the reason is because of Valentine. But again, I want to tell her a story. So let me tell you something about my daughter, and when she was born, I'll give you a little bit. You know a background story. You know I always share stories on the show. Give you back end.
Speaker 1:I'm from a family of men, boys. My mom had eight boys, no girl. Yes, you heard me right. A lot of testosterone in the house, you know, and all of that. So when I always desired to have a girl child as first, when I got married, as first, when I got married and the first child came was a boy, another girl, I mean a boy and I was like lord, can we just break this jinx? And she came, and when she was, it was such an amazing time for me as a father the first girl in my family for over five decades yes, over that and so growing up with her. For me she would always ask daddy, tell me a story, daddy, tell me a story, daddy, tell me how you grew up, and all of that. So, okay, so today daddy is going me how you grew up and all of that. So okay, so today daddy is going to tell you a story. Do you want us, do you want me to tell you a story?
Speaker 1:yes, you allow me pick the story yes so let me give you the opportunity to guess the story I want to tell you how you grew up.
Speaker 2:No I don't know, you don't know.
Speaker 1:Okay, that is going to tell you how I met your mother. Have I told you that story before?
Speaker 2:No.
Speaker 1:No, do you want to hear it? Yes, hear yes yes, and I'm going to tell you how I met your mother, the circumstances, you know the day and uh, how it all went and how I started seeing your mom, asked her to marry me and uh, the rest, as they will, is history, and you're here now. So how do we begin the story Once upon a time? You want us to say once upon a time, yes or do we start with once upon an eternity, once upon an eternity.
Speaker 1:So, guys, let me tell you I love doing this with my daughter. I did a song once with her on stage, happy, one of the songs I wrote Christmas song and she loves it a lot. So we had this opportunity to do it in church, at the Summit Bible Church and go check it. It's there on YouTube. Amazing, you know your mom is a very pretty woman. I hope you know that. Yeah, she has this amazing smile woman. Hope you know that, yeah, she has this amazing smile.
Speaker 2:Hope you know that Like me.
Speaker 1:Like you exactly and it's good. So I'm going to tell you this story how I met your mom, the love story. It all began 2007. Yes, you know the amazing thing 2007. Yes, you know the amazing thing Dates and time. For me, it speaks volume. So I met your mom November of 2007, 27th or 28th, I think it was 28th and I got married to your mom November 28th 2009. Two years apart. So this is how it all began. So, listen, listen. Well, you're free to ask daddy questions along the line and all of that.
Speaker 2:Okay.
Speaker 1:Yes, so we have this activity. You know we're Christians. Way back in school I am, your mom belonged which we still do to this Christian organization 9th as Nigeria Fellowship of Evangelical Students and we usually have this annual conferences. So even though I'd left school then, your mom was still in school. I don't want to go into the age and all. I don't bother, I don't bother yourself about that, okay, that's too much information for you. So I was part of the organizing committee for this particular activity prayer conference in abuja yes, in abuja. Then we were not in abuja, we were in port hackett. So I got organizing, putting things together that fateful morning it was only friday. I still remember the hamartan breeze in the air and all of that and we were putting our things together, arranging the, the, the buses, the logistics, the luggages and everything and as I was, working, I saw this pretty young lady.
Speaker 1:She had a muffler around her neck, she was wearing a brown jacket with on a green skirt that had this embroidery all around it like a lace. You see, I remember every detail. Do you know why? The way she smiled, she caught, she just caught my attention. My gaze was fixed on her. She had her hair was I think it was a jerry coin. She wore a weaver, so jerry coiled, well placed and everything. So I looked at her. Obviously the other people did not notice that. So I looked at her. Obviously the other people did not notice that I was looking at her because I was still working. But again, I tried. I couldn't take my gaze off her. I kept looking at her.
Speaker 1:So I back on one of her friends and I asked, I made some inquiries about her, and she smiled and looked at me, was like why are you asking? I said, well, she's a pretty girl, she's a pretty lady. Uh, can I meet her? And she was like no, we're going for a spiritual activity, you don't have to distract her and all that. I said okay, can I write her a note? Pretty old-fashioned maybe.
Speaker 1:So I wrote her a note telling her how her smile and all that. I guess that was part of where I started learning how to write, you know, and and the romeo in me and all of that. So I wrote her a note and that note did not get to her. I think it got to her two days later and the rest is history. She read it quite all right. Maybe one day she will tell you how she felt when she read it, because I was a little bit old school but I had my way of doing things. And when I told her to marry me, one of the best decisions I've made in my life is marrying your mom, getting married to your mom. Do you know why?
Speaker 2:Why, she gives me this peace Peace of mind, peace of mind, exactly, not the peace of her mind.
Speaker 1:You understand what I mean by that. The peace of mind you get. You know, when somebody tells you I'll give you a piece of my mind, and normally when I hear things like, I respond how many pieces will you give? There will be nothing left for gain. You know, and I just have this peace of mind and, uh, it's been amazing. She's very witty. Your mom is very knowledgeable. She's a wise woman. She can be naughty at times. Her mom can be firm. So tell me everything I'm saying. At least you've experienced her in one way or the other okay, let's see.
Speaker 2:Let's see how exactly did you meet her? Was she like standing on the road, like next to the road?
Speaker 1:She wasn't standing on the road per se. She was standing in the midst of people by the road Because we were preparing to go on a journey To To Abuja, from Port Hacot to Abuja. We had a conference. So she was in the midst of her friends. So we're preparing. So that was how I saw her and I wrote the note. And when the note got to her, somehow we got talking. We established because I put my phone number there and all that, and it's like, if you don't mind, if you can reach out, if you can call me. You know, for a lady, a lady doesn't call a guy, the guy calls the lady. Hope you know that. Do you know what happened? Let me tell you what happened. Should I tell you? Yes, she called me.
Speaker 2:She called me, she called me.
Speaker 1:She called me, maybe out of curiosity or something you know, and I started when she called. It, now turned the other way around. I started calling all the time, you see. So the calling now became my responsibility. I started calling and calling and calling. Until now I'm still calling. Hello, are you there? And all of that. So any other question for daddy? No. So what's the expectation for Valentine? Because I know before we came on set. I asked you and you said, ah, valentine. So what's the expectation for Valentine? Because I know before we came on set, I asked you and you said, ah, valentine. So what's the expectation?
Speaker 2:I'm expecting to get many gifts.
Speaker 1:Gifts like this one, yes, this story.
Speaker 2:Yes.
Speaker 1:Good and.
Speaker 2:I'm expecting people to show kindness to me, okay.
Speaker 1:All right To you and you also show to people yes. So what's your desire growing up now? What's your desire?
Speaker 2:Like what I want to do when I grow up.
Speaker 1:Exactly.
Speaker 2:Let me just start my occupation. I want to be a gymnast, you want to?
Speaker 1:be a gymnast a gymnast yes, in nigeria. Yes, why, if I may ask because I love doing gymnastics okay, so you want to break world records and all that.
Speaker 2:Yes.
Speaker 1:Have you looked at any gymnasts?
Speaker 2:Yes.
Speaker 1:You know, like maybe on YouTube or something and all of that. Okay, so what do you think they do?
Speaker 2:They practice and they go perform on stage.
Speaker 1:Okay, they practice, they go perform on stage, so do you know the kind of food they eat?
Speaker 2:They eat mostly salad. Salad Salad in Nigeria Ah.
Speaker 1:Because to be a gymnast is a very demanding activity the regimen and the discipline. So you see, you start from there. Your grades I mean people take you seriously when they look at it that okay, jolivia has this very strong regimen of practice, rehearsing and all that, and now see her grades and she's there. Now we know you want to be a gymnast, you desire to be a gymnast, not a problem. What do you love doing?
Speaker 2:Dancing and doing gymnastics. Okay, dancing and doing gymnastics, and also cooking, cooking.
Speaker 1:Yes, is your mom a chef?
Speaker 2:Yes.
Speaker 1:So you like your mommy's food and you want to do part of what she's doing. Okay, so what's your favorite dish?
Speaker 2:Pancakes.
Speaker 1:Pancakes and toast, yes, and what else?
Speaker 2:Scrambled eggs.
Speaker 1:Scrambled eggs. Okay, let us look at that now. What are those sayings, words you always hear in your head from either your mommy or your daddy?
Speaker 2:Sometimes we like mommy, like saying I play too much games, daddy, like saying I jump around a lot.
Speaker 1:So when you hear those things, what do you do?
Speaker 2:Nothing.
Speaker 1:Nothing.
Speaker 2:I just stay there.
Speaker 1:You just be yourself. Yeah, it's okay, it's okay, but do you think, like you hear those things you want to like do better?
Speaker 2:Yeah, yeah.
Speaker 1:So do better in what?
Speaker 2:Do better in my academics.
Speaker 1:Good and.
Speaker 2:My behavior.
Speaker 1:Good and my behavior Good. So let's talk about your friends. You should have friends now, don't you? So who are your I don't want to use the word your best friends, but who are your friends?
Speaker 2:I show you their names.
Speaker 1:Hmm.
Speaker 2:The names of my friends.
Speaker 1:Yes, who are they? As in.
Speaker 2:Okay, I have Camilla.
Speaker 1:Okay.
Speaker 2:Victoria.
Speaker 1:Okay.
Speaker 2:Nafisa.
Speaker 1:Okay.
Speaker 2:Tara.
Speaker 1:Okay.
Speaker 2:Zina Mm-hmm, and so on, and and so on. And so on and so on. The boy side of it is Kanye.
Speaker 1:Mm-hmm.
Speaker 2:T the boy side of it is.
Speaker 1:Kanye.
Speaker 2:Toba, Gabriel, Tiffin and so on, and so on.
Speaker 1:So now you just told me you have two sets of friends, boys and girls. Do you talk about them with your mommy or your daddy?
Speaker 2:I talk about them with my mommy, your mommy.
Speaker 1:I don't want to ask why not your daddy before I put myself out there, so I know you. Now you have two brothers. Yes, okay, I want you to call their names.
Speaker 2:Jejula and Joro.
Speaker 1:Okay, tell me about them. Tell me about them as if I don't know, but now tell me about them like I don't know.
Speaker 2:Okay, jorah likes playing football. Okay, jeji likes playing games. Okay, jeji likes walking out.
Speaker 1:Okay.
Speaker 2:Jorah also likes playing games.
Speaker 1:Likes playing games? Yes, but who plays more?
Speaker 2:Jorah, jorah, yes.
Speaker 1:But who plays more? Jorah, jorah, yes, okay. So do you have some, you know, moments when you fight with them? Yes, siblings, rivalry and all that. So what brings the fight and all of that?
Speaker 2:When they start being annoying.
Speaker 1:When they start being annoying, like Mimicking me and Shoutingicking me and Shouting at me.
Speaker 1:Okay, that's good. So, guys, I brought my daughter on the set today. On set today, not to just put her out there, no you know, but to share moments and also like, let you know out there how, as parents, we should build more, should I say, relationship, be present, let them see what you do, what we do. Now there's something my daughter does with me all the time, you know. I wish my wife would learn from her. She dances with me all the time, you know. I wish my wife would learn from her. She dances with me all the time. The minute I start dancing, she'll just run from wherever she is. Daddy, daddy, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, and she'll just jump and she'll change the music, change the dance step, and all that. Recently she told me about one of them. What's the name of that one? Again, the one Snoop normally does.
Speaker 2:Exum Shuffle.
Speaker 1:Exum Shuffle.
Speaker 2:Do you want to do it on set? I can't do it in a dress.
Speaker 1:You can't do it in a dress, you have to. How do you want to do it? Okay, guys, do you want to see how to do it? Yes, they want to see. So let us see if we can just stand up and see you do the eggs on shuffle. And that is going to show you my own, our own style of eggs on shuffle. Don't worry, you just hold up your dress a little and we'll do it. Come on, how do we help you?
Speaker 1:okay, all right, all right, yes, so let us see the cake some the egg anyway, by the way, your dress is lovely, I want you to just try, do something so that your friends will see it. Okay, how do you do it so? It's like you go like this and like this you go like this, like hit like this, and you hit like this. So let me tell you, when we are growing up, the way, our own eggs and shuffle words, I think you might remember it.
Speaker 2:It is something like this it goes.
Speaker 1:Uh, I'm not old school. It goes something like that. You do something like that mine is different.
Speaker 2:Okay, let's see yours go ahead don't worry just pick it up a little how like how do you do that again? Like how do you do that again? Double shuffles yes, like this, yes, like this.
Speaker 1:Yes, and like this yes, guys, right. So you see, it is part of what. All right, let me help you with this. Okay, yeah, all right. So this is what I do with her sometimes, you know, at home, and we have that laugh and all of that. So sorry, she's wearing a dress, obviously, and she needs to be princessly and girly, you know. And so now tell me your best day, your best time in the day.
Speaker 2:Night.
Speaker 1:Night. Why night?
Speaker 2:Because I get to sleep.
Speaker 1:You get to sleep. All right, guys. I wish I could keep her here on and on for us to continue this conversation, but I need to. You know, I need to let her go, not like go go, if you understand what I mean, but, like I said a while ago, it's the season of love. Yes, baby, it's the season of love. And okay, I will ask her this before we go what does daddy call you, bella?
Speaker 2:Bella yes, do you know why?
Speaker 1:daddy calls you Bella you.
Speaker 2:Bella.
Speaker 1:Bella. Yes, do you know why daddy calls you Bella?
Speaker 2:Why.
Speaker 1:Good. Do you know what I mean of Bella?
Speaker 2:No, you don't?
Speaker 1:Bella means pretty, oh yes, it's Italian way of my Bella, my beautiful. So I call her Ada Bella. Ada means first daughter, pretty daughter. When she was born, when I saw her face for the first time, that was what came out of my mouth Ada Bella. So I call her Bella or fully Adabela. Yes, her name is Jolivia, quite alright, but that's daddy's name for her. Does daddy call you another name? No, daddy calls you another name. Think one Jolimi. Yes, daddy calls you Jolimi. So what does mommy call you? Mama? Mama? Do you know why she calls you mama?
Speaker 2:Because I look like her mom.
Speaker 1:You look like my mom, not her mom. Yes, that's another bit. She looks like my mother. Each time I look at her face I see my mother, so I call her mama, but her mom has taken it from me, so I just it's her mother-in-law, so she has taken it, so that's it. So, guys, this is the moment I have with my daughter. I mean, I value it all the time when I call her and she responds and we talk and, yes, sometimes she gets mad at me. Yes, she does. She gets mad at me. Yes, she does, she gets mad at me.
Speaker 1:Daddy, why did you do this, daddy, why did you do that? And I, I apologize and beg for her forgiveness. And we, you know, we just reconcile and we move again. We should have relationship with our children. We should let them trust us, let them open them, open up to us. Let me tell you one thing my daughter prays, she and her brothers, every day, that daddy's podcast will go higher and higher. Mommy's business will go higher and higher. So it tells me they understand what we are doing. So get them involved.
Speaker 2:Get them.
Speaker 1:Before I go, I'm going to allow my daughter to say one or two things to you. Decision of love, what she thinks you should do you know for your children, for your wife, for your husband, for your friends. Bella, you have the floor. What do you want to tell my audience?
Speaker 2:Be kind to others. Take your wives out. Husbands buy your wives stuff. Take your children out. Love all of them Good. Do you have more to say of them?
Speaker 1:Good. Do you have more to say? No Good. So, guys, you heard her. That's the season and you know children have a way of being sincere and honest. They just tell you as it is, you know. So go ahead.
Speaker 1:Jolivia just gave you some tips. Be kind, Buy your husband I mean your wife gifts. Buy your husband I mean your wife gifts. Buy your husband gifts. Take your children out, you know, and what have you?
Speaker 1:Well, like I said, this is what I came to do on the show today to share this moment with you, my daughter and myself telling you about know an aspect of my life. Maybe I'll bring my boys on set one of these days so that you guys get to see them too, and we have a daddy and son's moment. And, uh, you know we have this gist and we talk. Well, you know how we say it on the show. This is the space where we come in to lean on one another's experience to forge a positive path. My producer will be mad with me if I don't say this. We are available on Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn, what else? On YouTube? Please follow us for wholesome content and do subscribe to our page. We have a lot to give to you till I come your way again. You know how we say it on the show. My name is Amakri Amakri Soboe. Bye for now.
Speaker 2:Ciao, ciao.