In between Aliens club and Gall and Gall membership, its a blessing to have you in my life ....

This arvo was all about reminiscing over our epic trips from the past 10+ years, and oh my god, the memories! I swear I had totally forgotten about the Dublin gallery, the Jameson whiskey tasting, and our 3 bottles of wine in the sauna in Ghent (what even was that?!). Belfast bridge climbing after 3 bottles of wine… brave (and maybe a little bit of a bad idea). Our Milan Last Supper adventure, the crazy nights at London Kensington Club, and Alicante with its unbeatable Paella and sangria deals. Champagne on the beach, roadtripping to Venice from Verona, that random last-minute wedding cancellation, Amsterdam Fashion Week, Miami madness, New York vibes, and the endless nachos and Pinot Grigio… We were laughing till we couldn’t breathe. And then I look at you, and I just start crying. Seriously, how did I leave Straya and my girls behind? But here you are, welcoming me back like no time has passed. No questions, no judgement, just straight-up wine o’clock. Feels so good to be home.

h, just like the old times on Olga’s balcony, watching Aliens with way too much Chardonnay and chips—those were the days. We talked about everything: fake people, happiness, and of course, my classic quote, "money will not make you happy." But you totally flipped the script, and I get it now—money doesn’t buy happiness, but it does give you freedom. It opens doors, gives you choices, and that’s a kind of power in itself. I guess we’re wiser now, huh? Just another chapter in the never-ending saga of us!

We talked and talked, laughed until our stomachs hurt, and you listened to every one of my weird stories and odd music choices. I opened up about the hospital trips, the battles, and all the uncertainty, and you just looked at me with that knowing look and said, "I know you’ll fight this and win. If not, you wouldn’t be here, drinking wine with me."

And then, true to form, you didn’t sugarcoat anything. You told me straight, but with all the love: "You’ll charge everything to experience, and you’ll be okay." I needed to hear that, more than I realized. Your words hit different, like always. Thank you for being my rock and never letting me forget that I’m stronger than I think. Cheers to us and to the battles we’re still winning.

I've been everywhere, all over the world, but I’ve never been to me." That really hits, doesn’t it? I’ve spent so much time taking everything for granted, thinking everything was just there for me. I had everything served up on a golden spoon, but I never really stopped to feel truly happy. You were right all along—I shouldn’t have been lying to myself.

You taught me so much. About aliens (and how fascinating they are), about the membership at the wine shop for those sweet discounts, and about how to just take it one step at a time. You’ve shown me what real love and wisdom look like, and I’m forever grateful for that.

I love you both, my dear friends—you are like sisters to me. And I’m so lucky to have you in my life.

I haven’t laughed like this in years, and today you somehow managed to put a smile on my face, even while we were finishing our second bottle of Chardonnay . And guess what? We’ve already agreed to go on another one of our shenanigans trips for my birthday! You girls seriously made my day.

With you, I don’t have to be anyone else. You love me just as I am, and that’s all I need. I’m so excited for all the future adventures we’re going to have. I can’t even put into words how much I love you—to the moon and back—my sister from different parents.

Eindhoven, Hot October arvo 2019