I have a Finnish friend who lives in Helsinki, Finland. We started our friendship as pen friends when we were in high school many years ago. After graduating from university, I did a backpacking trip in Europe. One of the stops on my itinerary was Helsinki to meet my pen friend in person.
I was travelling by ferry from Stockholm to Helsinki. I remember my anticipation of our meeting, and my hope that everything would be alright. Would I recognize her first, or would she recognize me first in the crowd? Would we get along in person as we have been by letters? Would there be any awkward moments? These were some of the questions in my mind. At the same time, after having been in touch for about five years, I felt confident that we would have a great experience.
My friend came to pick me up at the ferry terminal. I don't remember who recognized whom first. I remember that it felt natural right away. She took me home and introduced me to her mom, boyfriend, and neighbour. Everyone was so nice to me as if I was part of the family. We spent time exploring Helsinki for a couple of days, then my friend's mom drove us to their cottage, about three hours north of Helsinki. My friend's dad had built the cottage, with wooden stairs and a long pier all the way to the lake. I still remember the quietness and the beauty of the place. It was there that I experienced the authentic Finnish sauna ritual and cottage life with my Finnish friends.
We stay in touch all these years and share our life events now via email. This spring as I was planning my trip to Tallinn, Estonia, it occurred to me that since there is regular ferry service between Helsinki and Tallinn, perhaps we can meet in person during the weekend that I'm in Tallinn. I contacted my friend with my idea. The answer is Yes! She had been to Tallinn before, as recent as March this year.
I'm really looking forward to meeting my Finnish friend again. Would I recognize her first, or would she recognize me first in the crowd? We'll chat over coffee or a meal. We'll walk to see some sights together. We'll create new memories.
Many years have gone by, and here we are again, one of us is taking a ferry ride to a foreign country, to continue our long-lasting friendship. I feel grateful to have my Finnish friend in my life and the opportunities to meet her in person, more than once.
Your turn...I'd love to hear your friendship stories.
What a beautiful story of how you first met and how you're still keeping in touch.
ReplyDeleteSSG xxx
Thanks, SSG, for your comment. This is one of the friendships that I treasure.
DeleteHi, Natalie - It is so cool that you have kept in touch with your penpal after all these years, and have created the opportunity to meet in person. I had a penpal when I was quite young, but we lost touch years and years ago. On the other hand, I have been able to meet several bloggers IRL (5 so far). I look forward to meeting more -- including you!
ReplyDeleteHi Donna - I remember reading about your fun bloggers' meeting IRL. When I plan my trip to New Zealand or Australia, I think a stop in Vancouver is en route. I'll contact you when I know more. Look forward to meeting you, too.
DeleteHow lovely to meet your pen friend Natalie. I have several friends who I have met through blogging and they are scattered around the world. I would love to meet them IRL one day. Have a great week!
ReplyDeleteBlogging is great to build friendships. When I visit Australia, I'll contact you in advance so we can plan to meet IRL. Thank you, Sue, for stopping by.
DeleteOh that would be great Natalie! Just let me know when you are coming! Thanks also for linking up and sharing at #MLSTL I've shared on social media. Have a great week!
DeleteThank you for hosting MLSTL, Sue. Have a fabulous week!
DeleteYou are clearly a woman who invests a lot of time and effort in friendships - and reaps the rewards. Great memories and the opportunity to make new ones. What could be better?
ReplyDeleteI'm fortunate to have several friends who are also committed to our friendships. I treasure them all. Thank you, Karen, for stopping by.
DeleteIt’s very special that you created such a lifelong bond that started with letters as pen palls. And, that you kept in touch all those years as well. The reunion will be even more spectacular than last time, I think. You are both so much wiser and have so many more experiences to share and stories to tell. What a wonderful thing to look forward to, on top of your planned trip ot Estonia! Have fun!
ReplyDeleteWhile I grew up and lived in Belgium until 2003, most of my friends now are all international. Many of them. All over the world. We remain in touch via email and Facebook, and whenever there is a chance we can catch up in person, we take it.
Same here, Liesbet. Most of my friends are now international. We catch up in person whenever we can. I'm looking forward to meeting my friend in Tallinn. Thank you for stopping by.
DeleteHow absolutely wonderful is this! Penpals, what a great way to meet people from around the world. I know some people in Australia who have done what you have too. Good on you.
ReplyDeleteThank you for linking up for #lifethisweek 16/52. Next Week’s Optional Prompt: 17/52. School Holidays Memories. 23/4/18 Denyse
Pen friends or blogging friends are wonderful. We have writing in common to start with! Thank you, Denyse, for hosting and for your comment.
DeleteHow exciting! I'm so happy you'll be able to visit with your friend again.
ReplyDeleteI've gained a new friend. She had an essay in an anthology I put out a year and a half ago. Afterwards, she sent me a card. Then I sent her one back. Between cards and emails we've gotten very close. Yet she's in New York and I'm in Texas. I turn 60 this year and she turns 70. Between her health and my finances, I doubt we'll be meeting up anytime soon and that makes me a little sad. I'd love to meet her in person at least once and have dinner or a cup of coffee. Since we can't, I'll just be happy for you and your friend.
Hi Trisha and welcome to my blog! Thank you for visiting and sharing your special friendship story. I wonder if you and your friend can use Skype or FaceTime to see each other.
DeleteThat is very cool. I see some friends from high school which is cool in my travels. I graduated high school 31 years ago. It is nice to see them. #MLSTL
ReplyDeleteSchool friends are cool with so many memories. Thanks, Patrick, for sharing your story.
DeleteWhat a lovely story to read and how exciting that you'll be meeting up with her again! I had a penpal when I was young who lived in Germany. Sadly, we lost touch. I can't even remember her name. We corresponded for several years and sent each other gifts. I often think of her and wonder what her life is like now.
ReplyDeleteShe's probably has been thinking of you, too, Min. Now you have blogging friends that you can meet IRL. Thank you for stopping by.
DeleteAww, that's lovely Natalie. I've visited Helsinki and Tallin (loved both) and have a Swedish pen friend who I met in Australia in 1983. We've met twice in the ensuing years, once in Australia and once in Stockholm and still keep in touch. Like you, I long to visit her again.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Jo, for sharing your wonderful friendship story. I hope you and your Swedish friend will be able to meet agaain and again.
DeleteFriends like that are so special aren't they Natalie? To bridge time and distance and to have maintained the friendship makes it even more wonderful. You're going to have a great reunion.
ReplyDeleteThanks for linking up with us at #MLSTL and I've shared this on my SM xx
Thanks, Leanne, for your comment. This is one of the friendships that I treasure.
DeleteWhat a beautiful story! I have a few friends that I rarely see, but when we do meet it's like we have never been apart.(or live in different countries) Glad you can meet again soon :)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Cherie, for sharing your friendship story. It's wonderful to have friends to just pick up our chats where we left off regardless of distance or time apart.
DeleteHow wonderful that a friendship you started so long ago is still going strong. I never lasted with my pen friends after a couple of letters one or the other of us stopped writing.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Victoria, for stopping by. I feel fortunate to have a few long lasting international pen friends. I treasure them all.
DeleteWhat a rare and beautiful story of friendship! Most friendships begin to drift apart when separated by time and distance. I think you are both very special! #MLSTL
ReplyDeleteThank you, Teresa, for your visit and kind words. Much appreciated!
DeleteI think it's wonderful that you and your pen pal have stayed in touch all these years! That does not happen often. I have a dear friend who has been my 'bestie' for over 30 years. We now live about 1,100 miles apart but when we talk, it's like we were never apart. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Candi, for your visit and for sharing your long lasting friendship story. "Besties" stay connected regardless of distance and time apart.
DeleteThankypu for telling us about your friend. I've had a pen friend from Belgium for about 30 years. We met when she came to Australia and stayed with us for a few weeks. Would love to visit her one day. I have many blogger friends from all over #MLSTL
ReplyDeleteWelcome, Jennifer, and thank you for sharing your special friendship story. It's wonderful that you have many blogging friends.
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