As the world began to reopen in early 2021, life took on a new rhythm. Soon enough, companies would be welcoming employees back to the office a few days a week, which meant Noelle would have to trade her sweats for actual pants. She wasn’t looking forward to it. Balancing her increasingly demanding schedule with maintaining a long-distance relationship was no small feat, especially with the time difference between her and Kofi.

Lunchtime became her favorite time of day, mostly because she could catch Kofi as he was getting off work. These conversations were a lifeline, filled with updates about their days, laughter, and ambitious plans for the future. “Ambitious” being the keyword—like the one where they talked about someday living in the same country. But as work piled up, squeezing in these moments became trickier. Afternoons were for Kofi, evenings were for deadlines, and somewhere in between, Noelle tried to figure out how she felt about all of it.

Their weekend calls were sacred. Noelle wasn’t sure if it was the time to really talk or the excuse to shut down her laptop, but either way, they worked. During one of these calls, as Kofi reclined in his room and Noelle sat in her kitchen, their usual banter was interrupted by a cheerful voice.

“Noelle, this is my cousin Trina,” Kofi said, tilting his phone to reveal a woman with a bright smile who had just walked into his room. “So you’re the famous Noelle,” Trina said with a grin. “You’re so pretty!” Noelle smiled, caught a little off guard. “Oh, thank you.” Clearly, Kofi had been talking about her. Before Noelle could say anything more, Kofi pulled the phone back. “She’ll talk your ear off if you let her,” he said with a laugh, gently pushing Trina out of the frame. “Rude,” Trina called out in mock protest. “But it’s nice to meet you, Noelle!” “You too!” Noelle said, chuckling as Trina disappeared from view. Kofi smiled as he settled back into their conversation. “She’s visiting from Canada. Trina’s always been the nosy cousin, but she means well.” Noelle smirked. “I’ll keep that in mind. She seems nice, though.”

The moment passed, but Trina’s sudden appearance stuck with Noelle. It was a reminder of just how much of Kofi’s world she hadn’t yet seen, how many connections and relationships she still had to piece together. A few days later, while mindlessly scrolling through her notifications, Noelle noticed a new friend request on social media. It was Trina, the nosy cousin.

Their weekend calls still served as a space to talk through bigger topics. During one, Noelle broached a subject that had been nagging at her. “You know what I hate about this long-distance thing?” she asked, swirling her wine glass dramatically. “What?” Kofi asked, leaning closer to his phone. “That I have to be up at the butt crack of dawn to talk with you. And you—living the dream in Ghana—get to do this with a washed face and brushed teeth,” she said. “It’s criminal.” Kofi laughed, his deep voice filling the space between them. “Ah, so it’s not the distance or the time apart. It’s my unfair time zone advantage.” “Exactly,” Noelle replied before yawning widely. “But seriously, it sucks. Sometimes it feels like we’re in two different worlds.”

His smile softened. “I know. It’s hard for me too. But we’ve come this far, and we can keep going. Besides, I don’t know what I’d do without your sarcastic complaints to get me through the day.” Noelle grinned, the weight of her emotions temporarily lifted by his humor. “You’d probably be less stressed,” she said, then quickly added, “but much less entertained.” “Definitely less entertained,” Kofi chuckled.

As their conversations continued, Noelle and Kofi began to focus on the plans for Noelle’s next visit to Accra in March. The trip held special significance—Kofi wanted to introduce her to his parents. The thought filled Noelle with equal parts excitement and dread. She’d dated West African men before. Okay, she dated two first-generation Nigerian-American men and was reminded about the unrealistic expectations of their parents.

“Are you sure they’re ready for me?” she asked during one of their calls. “I mean, do they know I’m a sarcastic American who eats fufu with a spoon?” “They’ll love you,” Kofi assured her. “And don’t worry, I’ll warn them about your horrible fufu-eating habits.” “Wow. Thanks for the support,” Noelle said, rolling her eyes. But deep down, she felt touched by his confidence in their future.

The joy of planning her visit was tempered by the reality that Kofi couldn’t visit her in the States. The visa restrictions on Ghanaians made it nearly impossible, a frustration that weighed heavily on both of them. Thankfully, Noelle had ample vacation time and didn’t mind escaping the States. She often daydreamed about her last trip to Accra, replaying the vibrant streets, the warmth of the people, and the way Kofi had made her feel like she belonged. Those memories fueled her determination to keep going. That and the sky miles she was accruing.

As she prepared for her next visit, Noelle couldn’t help but smile. They didn’t have all the answers, but she and Kofi had something worth fighting for. With each video call, each sarcastic quip, and each promise of the future, they were building something stronger than the miles between them.