Diary of a Thriving Mum

(a.k.a. Happy Ife makes a comeback)

Jesus, the One who resurrects… and I believe it, because He’s doing it in me.

This week, my best friend said something that shook me—in a soft but seismic kind of way. She looked at me and said,
“Ife, you’re getting back to yourself. I see the light in your eyes again.”

Me, being me, I laughed and asked,
“Wait o, where was the light before?”

She replied: “It was dim.”
Whew. That hit me like a quiet thunderstorm. You know, the kind that doesn’t shake the house but soaks everything to the bone?

I sat with that. And then I began to worship.
Because I realized—only God can reignite light where life tried to snuff it out.

This time last year? I thought my joy and peace—the ones I’d carried since I was a little girl—were gone for good. I thought Happy Ife had died.
I started to accept a new version of myself: the one who just copes. The one who smiles on cue, nods politely, and cries in the car with sunglasses on.
But Jesus—my sweet, never-giving-up-on-me Jesus—whispered, “No, my child. I got you.”
And whew. He really did. And He still does.

I went out this weekend. Not because I was trying to feel better or fake fine.
I was already fine.
Dinner with a friend. No performance. No pretending. Just being.

On my way there, I called a good friend who said, “You look really good.”
And for the first time in forever, I didn’t second-guess him.
I didn’t fish for more compliments.
I didn’t mentally debate it.
I just said, “Thank you.”
And I meant and appreciate it.
That, my friends, is called….. healing.

I drove home singing—, head moving, joy in my chest, and lip gloss popping.
Then another friend messaged me after seeing the pictures (scroll down, to see a fine babe), and said, “I’m so glad to see your joy restored.”

And it hit me again: when you lose yourself, it shows.
But the wildest part? Getting back to you is not a solo job.
It takes the Creator Himself. Only God knows how to piece you back together—how to bring Bright Eyes back to life.

And let me tell you:
I feel beautiful again.
I feel attractive again.
I feel confident—like, don’t-let-me-catch-my-reflection-in-a-car-window kind of confident.
Just look at me—sweet like Sunday jollof, AKA omo Gbenga ati funky baby 😌✨

Growth? Healing? Confidence? Yeah, they’ve RSVP’d to the party, and they’re showing up on time now.

And yes—I’m even talking to men again without needing an emotional support group afterwards. In fact… I might just be caught flirting back 😏😂 #SomebodyHoldMe

After the breakdown of my marriage, a huge part of me shattered.
It felt like I had to be ripped in pieces just to be separated from him. I didn’t think I could ever feel whole again.

But here’s the real tea:
God is still in the business of resurrection.
He resurrects lost souls.
He resurrects joy.
He resurrects peace.
He resurrects the woman you thought you’d never see again.

If He hasn’t given up on you, why would you give up on you?

It may not look exactly how it used to. Some days may still feel shaky.
But step by step, as you walk with Him, you’ll begin to see the miracle He’s creating out of your life.

✨ He makes beautiful things. Even out of the mess. Even out of me. Even out of you. ✨

XOXO,

Ife