sauna – The Chronicles of a Happy Divorcée

Chapter 78 – The Student Prince

This blog is a book. Maybe better to read from the beginning? 🙂

Ein zwei drei vier
Lift your stein and drink your beer

Drink! Drink! Drink!
To eyes that are bright as stars when they’re shining on me!
Drink! Drink! Drink!
To lips that are red and sweet as the fruit on the tree!

Here’s a hope that those bright eyes will shine
Lovingly, longingly soon into mine!
May those lips that are red and sweet,
Tonight with joy my own lips meet!

Drink! Drink!
Let the toast start!
May young hearts never part!
Drink! Drink! Drink!
Let every true lover salute his sweetheart!

Drink! Drink! Drink!
To arms that are white and warm as a rose in the sun!
Drink! Drink! Drink!
To hearts that will love one, only when I am the one!
Here’s a hope that those soft arms will twine
Tenderly, trustingly soon around mine!

All I ask is the right to see those smiling eyes beguiling me
Drink! Drink!
Let the toast start!
May young hearts never part!
Drink! Drink! Drink!
Let every true lover salute his sweetheart!
Let’s drink!

Tuesday, 23 February 2016.

She visits her sister Sarah, for a late lunch with her niece and nephews, mom Riitta, and her teens Kristiina and Joey.

“Anna mamma, you are glowing,” says Kristiina, laughing and giving her a hug, “How did your date go? Was that Christian nice?”

“Oh, yes. Very!” — Anna smiles — “In fact, I’m having my third dinner with him tonight. I’ll tell you a little more during the weekend, OK darling? What about you and Joey? How are your holidays going?”

Yes, Anna mamma, you are glowing, girl! — She agrees as passes the entry hall mirror. —So good to feel happy!

In the evening, Christian and Anna’s arms twine. They are cooling off, looking at the panoramic view from the sauna terraces on the eigth floor of her building, before going back in for more löyly.

“I missed you, Anna!”

“Oh, did you now? Already!??” — their lips meet — “I did too, Christian, but just a little bit.”

“Ouch,” he says slapping her bottom, “Is that so?”

“Ouch! Christian!!!”

It’s movie night now.

“Here are the Fiesta Salads you’ve ordered, Madame!” he says and then inquires, “What are we watching, Annita?”

“Thank you, sweet guy! Let’s eat as we watch The Student Prince? It’s another classic my dad taught me to love.” Oh! Dad, the pastor… Very genuine and strong in his faith. He’d have a heart attack if he knew I’m sleeping with the Englishman… Sigh. But I’m an adult now. I’ve gotta figure this out for myself.

“OK. What is the movie about?”

“Oh! It’s so beautiful, Christian. Such great music! You’ll like it.

“It’s about this prince called Karl, who is sent off to the university in Heidelberg to learn how to socialize. He makes friends there and falls for Kathie, the barmaid. The two are soul mates, but when the king is at his deathbed, he…”

“Don’t tell me the whole movie, Anna!”

“No. No spoilers. You’re right.” — she smiles heartily, poking his nose.

“I still can’t believe you had me go to MacDonald’s!! That’s it. Tomorrow I’m taking you on a proper date. Somewhere nicer. Gosh!”

“But the salad is delicious. You’ll see!”

MV5BMTUzZWI4OTUtMjcyYS00NjZlLThjNTgtNmNlOWUyZjEzMjA0XkEyXkFqcGdeQXVyMDMxMjQwMw@@._V1_SY1000_CR0,0,772,1000_AL_

The movie starts. They eat, laugh and 🎶 drink the rest of the champagne. She sings along a little. They pause the movie to take the food away.

They chat, smile, laugh, hug, cuddle. It feels sooooo warm and nice. They play the movie again. They look at each other and start kissing passionately. Things heat up. They pause the movie for some loving. Then, he envelops her to chat a little more, while stroking and kissing her hair and her cheeks.

“I’m still hungry, Anna! Do you have anything light for dessert? Where are those grapes you keep promising, huh?”

“Oh, yes. We still haven’t had the grapes!”

They sit up on her bed and he mouthfeeds her, teasingly. Touching the cold fruit first against different parts of her hot skin. Mmmm. Looking at her adoringly.

Drink! Drink! Drink! To lips that are red and sweet as the fruit on the tree?! — She smiles at the thought.

After a while, he is asleep – the poor guy is still fighting his terrible cold – but Anna wants to finish watching the movie. She presses play.

She cries – alone – during the most emotional scenes. During the song I’ll Walk with God.

So beautiful!

A prince has a beautiful romance before he must choose between his country and his own happiness…? Noooo! So sad! I need to cry some more…

The next day Anna is looking thoughtful again and Christian asks her why.

“Oh, Christian. It’s the movie.”

“Oh? I fell asleep. Did you finish it? Naughty! I wanted to finish it with you.”

Giving up personal happiness for duty?

“Maybe it’s better that you didn’t. It’s so beautiful, and yet so sad!”

“It’s just a movie, Annita. Don’t be sad.” — He hugs her.

Obs. Premonition? Please, no!

DRINKING SONG (aka DRINK, DRINK, DRINK)
From the Broadway Operetta "The Student Prince" (1924)
(Sigmund Romberg / Dorothy Donnelly)

Chapter 77 – Tea with Milk

This blog is a book. Maybe better to read from the beginning? 🙂

Tuesday, 23 February 2016.

Breakfast

The tea water is almost boiling in the traditional kettle Anna has over her stove. She decided against having an electric one in her new home. Time to switch it off. There.

Happy sigh. What a night!

Breakfast is on the table, and Anna discovers just how hard it is to wake Christian up.

“I’m not a morning person. Let me sleep five more minutes!” — He moans adoringly.

Little kiss on his head and she wakes him up with a warm hug and some teasing fifteen minutes later. Now, they are sitting at her long table for breakfast. She likes visitors, lots of friends at once at her place, so she bought herself a table for up to ten people.

“Tea with milk?”

“Yes, please. Thank you for letting me stay the night. Sorry I’m sick. I haven’t been at my best lately. Did you sleep well, Anna?”

“Oh, I slept very well. Happy!” — she smiles sweetly at him — “It’s amazing how perfectly we fit in that narrow bed. Who would have thought??”

“Yes, it was made for us. And I like your cold wall against my back to cool me down.”

“Ooohh, that’s your secret! Yeah, about the heat. Your hellish fever the first night!? You were burning and both of us were waking up to drink water all night long. Even I had a dry throat!

“I think I’ve figured it out now, Chris. It was that veggie soup of mine! I added sooo much garlic, ginger and celery that it must have caused all that thirst. I’m not a great cook, I’ll admit as much.”

“Yes, must have been that! The spices were hot. But the soup was delicious,” he reassures her.

Plo-plim!

“Oh Christian, I managed to get us a sauna slot for tonight. Here on the seventh floor. Would you like to join me?”

“Only if we can run naked outside!”

“Haha. Maybe someday.”

“Yes, I’d love the sauna. And the naked running…! This is Finland, after all, isnt’t it? So…….. you want to see me again after night two? You were so quiet and mysterious at the restaurant! Plotting Anna. Giving me that look.”

“Of course I want to see you.” — She laughs.

Then, feeling a little more vulnerable, where is this sweet voice coming from? I didn’t know I had it in me to be this feminine, “It’s nice to hang out with you, Christian. Especially when you’re less private. You are adorable and warm. And you’ve got the best hugs and touches… It feels as though I get a glimpse into your soul when you open up.”

He holds her hand over the breakfast table.

“Oh. I don’t mean to be private. You can ask me anything.”

“OK…?” — Anna wonders what she should ask at this point.

“Sometimes a guy needs prompting,” he adds.

“I like joking and laughing, but I love deep conversations. I want to know who Christian really is. Your hopes and dreams, vulnerabilities and fears. Innermost thoughts.”

“You sound like a shrink!” — both of them laugh — “I’ve got all those things. I’m human after all.”

“I’m sure. And I’ll feel honored if I can get a glimpse into that. Thanks for the pizza, the walk and your jacket. I got home safely without freezing!”

“You’re welcome… I find it easier to open up with soft lightning, good wine, music. I like to be relaxed. And you have made me very relaxed and at home here.” — he kisses her hand — “It’s good to talk in bed too, where it’s more intimate. Otherwise I feel like I’m in an interview. My problem, I know. Hahaha. Why don’t people have interviews in bed?? Defense down.”

“You’re impossible, Chris! Maybe you’re onto something there… But there would be a lot of lawsuits! Haha. Mmm. Now I know where to do all my investigations!”

She goes around the table and sits on his lap.

“And about those girlfriends and marriage again. Don’t get me wrong. I had fun. But it’s not for me,” he tells her.

“What is not for you?” Huh!?

“Being single.”

“Ah, OK. I’ll tell you… It does feel that you are at your best when hugging, kissing and being really sweet!” — She kisses his short-trimmed hair.

“I love that, Anna. I need that. I like to love. And to be close to someone.

“I realize you know so little about me. And google is not very helpful! It won’t show you my heart. Remember, that you’re not a mind reader, Anna!” — He looks inquisitively into her eyes.

“Well… I’m very intuitive, as you’ll see.”

“You can google some half-marathons of mine and you’ll find something. Those were the days – I miss South Africa! Want to go back to being at my health peak.”

Plo-plim!

“Look at this weak belly!”

She touches it — “Aww… I like it, Christian! Very cuddly to sleep against…”

Plo-plim! Plo-plim! Plo-plim!

“That will change! It will have to go!”

“Well, only if you want to and you think you’ll feel more energetic. I want to lose some weight, too. Summer is coming and we have to get into bikini shape!”

“Maybe for my villa in Spain? You’ll love it. It’s so chill!”

Plo-plim!

“Sorry for that. I’ll put my phone on silent mode. Wait.” — She reaches for her iPhone.

“Oh… Look at all those Tinder notifications. Popular, Anna!!”

“No…”

“Yes, they were popping up all night long while you were sleeping.” — He teases her some more.

“Seriously? Haha……. About Spain, let’s see if I’ll ever be invited again. We’ll talk about it later. Look, it’s almost 12. Are you going to your hotel to check out soon?”

“Yes, I’ve gotta rush. These were the two most expensive hotel nights I’ve ever paid for. A room just for storing my suitcase! Humpf.”

“Haha. What a waste! But I’m glad you stayed here with me.” Maybe he doesn’t realize it just yet – though she’s tried to show him what kind of person she is – but he is the first man ever to spend a night with her – two whole nights – with the exception of her husband. This is such a huge step for me. It takes a lot of trust!

“Me, too. Though you haven’t given me that tattoo you promised me yet, Annita.”

“Well…. You did lose the Ingenious game. Let’s see if you’ll earn your tattoo later!”

“See you at the sauna then?”

“We have ourselves a date, Christian!”

“Well, I got lucky! Come here, you.” — He kisses he fully on the mouth and she melts into his embrace.

Obs. Can life really, really, reeeaaally feel this sweet?? I’m probably just dreaming. Pinch me!

Chapter 66 – 24 Hours

This blog is a book. Maybe better to read from the beginning? 🙂

Saturday, 20 February 2016.

Ending Day 62

21:03 Hello! Hope you’ve had a great day. I’m just packing, so will be there in just over 24 hours! 😊 Can’t wait to see you. Early night tonight…
.

God, this guy is something else. Well-mannered and endearing. Communicative! Seems normal/wonderful. Hopefully as nice as I expect.

.
Last night was pretty bad. Taxi arrives 11am tomorrow.
My forecast says snow in Helsinki. 🌨️

21:39 Hi Chris,
Yes, an interesting day! Just coming home. After leaving James Bond at home, I decided to drop by a friend’s farewell party. Some Brazilian football players hit on me. Haha! I know the type…

I left quite fast after that because a couple of women started fighting!
But the young woman who is moving back to Brazil is lovely. She’s the one who introduced me to Tinder, so I’m grateful. 😊

Had to go thank her, hug her good-bye and buy some of her wonderful feijoada, a national Brazilian dish. Have you ever tried it?

21:49 Home now to finish tidying up for a prince who’s coming over tomorrow. 😊 Can’t wait. I’ve heard he’s handsome, sweet, friendly and very witty. I’m hoping he’s hot, too. I think he’s a good person. That’s the main thing I can hope for.

Hmm. You’re probably sleeping to have energy for tomorrow, right? Just like Sleeping Beauty. Gosh! Wonder how many dragons and thorny bushes I’ll have to fight to get to you and possibly give you a wake up kiss!

See you in 22h! Tervetuloa vaan!

21:55 Hello! More cleaning and tidying? No more waxing though, right? 😊 Awake. Planning a full night’s sleep.

Fighting!!? What was that all about?? Glad you made your escape. 😊

22:05 😊 So, I’ll go and pick you up at your hotel at 8:15 tomorrow evening.

Perfect. I’ll let you know if there are any delays.

Delays, yay! You know how women can always use some extra time in front of the mirror: selfies, waxing and such.

Haha. Sounds intriguing! 😊 Just finishing packing.

Nice! Have a safe trip!

Thanks. I’m coming alone this time. Did I tell you that?

No.

Maybe business meetings just for one day. CEO/partner decided to postpone his trip to Finland to March. 😊

Got my Karoo desert haircut today. 😊 Just for you!

22:31 😊😊 Good style!

Yes! Bald men should always trim their hair short. At least the younger ones.

Btw, is your business meeting on Wednesday? I have an appointment at 1 pm and another from 4:30-6. Maybe could do something with the kids at lunch time. And then I’ll be free again at night.

23:41 Yes, it is. Glad you are spending time with kids. 😊

Ah… Tattoo mystery soon to be solved! Have you always liked tattoos? How many do you have?

Oh! Haha. I got my first tattoo to cover a surgical scar. I had two difficult c-sections, especially the second. They sewed me up badly, so I had to get a corrective plastic surgery some years later. I was very pleased with the result and the better quality of life after that! That’s when Sarah, my sister, told me some people cover scars with tattoos.

It’s tough being a woman!!

I never ever thought I’d get a tattoo in my life. I wasn’t the kind. but I figured I preferred seeing a tattoo to a scar…

23:48 Great idea with that. 😊 Is it a snake?

No snakes!!! I’m still planning to get a third and last tattoo to cover another scar.

Well… you have a tattoo parlour in your neighbourhood. Remember the pic you sent me? Unorthodox Tattoo?

I have a few scars. We can compare them. 😊

Let’s compete!

I think you may win. But we shall see!

Haha. I’ve got 5!

Got 3.

😊 Hey, getting sleepy here, but movies and games waiting… Some good food! And wax strips if you need them.

Feel free to do your computer work this coming week, whenever you have to. Just let me know.

I should be pretty free. It’ll be like a holiday. 😊

OK. But still, I promise not to cage you up. I won’t use my dungeon this week! 😊 Good night.

Hahaha. But I want to see that! Is it down by the sauna?

Sweet dreams!

Obs. Day 62 of just being silly. And hoping! Never lose hope!

Chapter 45 – The Acronyms

Wednesday, 10 February 2016.

Day 52

10:01 Morning!! 😊 Just reading your messages. I see some selfies up there! 😊 Very frosty here. Hope you slept well. Any dreams?
It’s a nice tattoo on your neck. Discreet. And sexy.

10:11 Hi Christian…

Oh, the back-and-forth interaction. The imagined person. The unveiling of a mystery. The gradual getting-to-know. The peek into the other’s soul, into their hopes and dreams. The warmth and the flirting — that’s the main thing for now. No hurry.

Anna’s at recess at school, daydreaming for just a moment.

10:12 Hello, Annita! Was listening to your music. Just having breakfast. Have a good morning. Hope you don’t get hit by any flying objects!!

She told him yesterday about a 9th grader who threw a really hard snow ball in the back of her head on Monday. From afar. She got furious and told the pupil that next time she’ll have to call the police. Eurgh. Driving home feeling dizzy had been so hard.

11:12 Haha. Thanks!

11:15 I was halfway through when you popped up. Will keep chatting. 😊

Please do. Make me smile – like always! I was just chatting to a pupil who’s really nice. He lent me his spare phone when I broke my mobile last week. Remember I’ve lost all your previous messages? Wish I could retrieve them. They were so sweet!

I’m in need of new ones now.

11:16 I bet you have lots of good kids there. I’m not a fan of the one who chucked the ice ball at your head though!! I was hit when I was at school and it almost knocked me out! You’ve just made me remember that. 😊

And you keep breaking your phones. You must be quite strong. All those hours at the gym. 😊

11:20 Right. Talk to you later. Have a lovely day.

Btw, I booked my flights finally. Will arrive in Helsinki on Sunday the 21st at 1830. So are you free on Monday?

Anna looks at the spare phone again — OMG, OMG! He really is coming to Finland. As promised.

11:25 Sorry. Finished my lesson now. I was showing some pupils your website.

Seriously??? You are? So cool!!

Happy your ticket has been booked. Maybe I’ll even have dinner with you on Sunday?

That would be nice. 😊

Great. You run now and I’ll catch you later. If I write, just read when you can.

So, about being strong – yes, a little. I like lifting weights. 250 abs per time. But there’s a long way to go. Ah, and talking about sports, I miss jogging when it’s been raining non-stop.

Lunch now. Fish and salad.

11:27 Bon apetit! Impressive gym work there!

13.38 Hello! How was your morning? I popped out for a river walk. A few work calls and almost lunchtime here. Played your music along the way. Loved it. 😊 Very sunny today. But also frosty. My favourite weather – I should have taken a pic.

14:30 😊 Yes, you should have. I love sunshine, especially in cold days. Happy you liked the music.

I’m going to the hairdresser’s. You have an hour to give me your opinion. Either keeping this medium-dark blond. Or some light brown with vivid colors. Have had many hair colors. Even black.

Anna sends him three pictures of her with three different hair colors. She chooses good photos – of course. Gotta make an impression…

14:35 Hmmm. Tricky. All look good!! Are you natural blonde?

Thanks! I was as a child. Light brown now. But no preference?

Hmmm. I think your hair looks great already! You and your daughter could be sisters! I like your colour as it is. 😊

That Sofia Vergara daughter of mine and me? Sisters! Hahahaha. I wish.

16:09 Oh, my daughter is much much more beautiful! And on the inside, as well. Heart of gold, that girl. And very sharp brain!

Thanks for the opinion. My son loves the brown and my daughter the blond. So I vary. Keeping the dark blond for now. ☺️

16.19 Good decision. It’s a nice colour.

I dyed my hair once in my life. Jet black. I looked like Dracula so tried to dye it back. Then it turned into a copper colour!! So I had to shave it off. Never again. Well….there’s no point now anyway. 😊

16.23 Your story is funny!! And the way you felt each time. I’ve had similar hair experiences. Hahaha.

I was going to ask where you would like to go for dinner. If you are free of course.

16.26 Tonight? 😊

Not sure where I am staying yet but will be central.
Haha. Sunday. Next Sunday that is. 😊

16.29 Thought you were suddenly here to surprise me tonight.

That would be fun.

Yes. Sure it’s too late?
I would love to have dinner with you on the 21st.
Vapiano closes at 11 p.m.

Vapiano sounds great. You are not working the next day, is that right? Just concerned if you have to get up at 0550!

16.47 No, not working the next day. Yay!
But you’ll be tired from the trip.

It’s not a long journey. Plus, the next morning I will sleep in.

Hey, today I’ve been working on a new AI engine that should definitely be called A.N.N.A….R.I.T.V.A.

A=Articulate, N=Natty, N=Nightly, A=Alluring 😊

R=Rapid (brain), I=Impassioned, T=Talented, V=Valiant, A=Amazing

My God. How sweet is that!! S2

16:52 Was going to put a T=Tattoo. But you don’t have enough T’s in your name. Are you sure it’s not RITTVA?

17.06 Awww.

My turn.

C arinhoso
H andsome
R apt
I ngenious
S urprisingly sweet
T ea for two?
I maginable
A musing
N aked in the sauna?

Maybe that’s you!

17:07 Hahaha!! That made me laugh! 😊

I knew it! But it’s unfair. My two names together have more letters than yours!
Still, I wanted to express how I appreciate your personality and good manners. Did try making you laugh, too.

17:10 You covered all the bases. 😊
Looking forward to seeing you very soon. I must have walked past that restaurant a million times. Not sure I’ve been in.

It’s simple and good. 9 p.m?

17.13 Perfect.

Loved the acrostic you made of my name. ☺️

17:15 Yours was better.

Anna’s just leaving the hairdresser’s.

Christian is always so nice!

On the other hand…………

…if there’s one thing I’ve learned already…

…it is that if I like my Tinder match’s voice, there’s a bigger chance of liking them in person. The opposite is also true………😬

17.19 Would you like to give me a call? In a few minutes?

17:20 Standby.

The phone rings. Christian’s calling her on WhatsApp. She answers.

Fingers crossed.

“Hello, how are you doing there?” he says with a voice and a native accent that sounds like a mixture of Hugh Grant’s and Simon Cowell’s.

Oh My God!!! Beautiful.

She gets goosebumps all over her body as the sides of her lips turn up and she blushes a little.

They discuss Anna’s English – he says it’s perfect. Much better than he expected.

These Englishmen!

Oh, stop it – you’re making me blush!

They chat about his job in Finland, his years in South Africa.

About why Tinder. “It gets lonely,” is his answer.

Finally meeting… “You really are coming to Finland. As promised!”

“I always do what I promise.”

It’s a very, very pleasant call, and Anna just adores his voice. And his way of interacting with her. Why does it always feels so nice with him?

He feels so present in the here and now.

17.42 Sorry. My son called. Always nice to talk to him, of course, but not nice to have our first phone call interrupted.

17:46 No problem. I thought it was all my work messages coming through. Will talk again soon. Nice to hear your beautiful voice.

Thank you. I feel the same way.

17:47 You haven’t sent me you new hairdo.

I will try a selfie at home. 😊 Have to walk there now.

I’m going to go for the African Karoo desert look for my hair.

Phew! That’s great. When Christian sent Anna a pic of him in South Africa, she thought he looked very handsome. Tall, in shape – thankfully not overly fit – and with a beautiful friendly smile. Almost bald, hair trimmed short. Casual and elegant.

Later, he sent he a pic which was taken in a recent business meeting in Finland. He had longer bald hair, and that didn’t look very nice, tbh. That day, she hadn’t wasted any time, but told him the African haircut suited him much, much better. “It gives you a younger, more modern look.”

17:49 Cool. I liked it!! Modern.

But no sun tan. 😑

Well, not yet.

I had a nice tan for over 20 years. But I guess bad for skin.

17.50 If I could travel, we could both get a tan in Spain in ten days. 😊

Well….that can be arranged v easily.

In Finland, we just freeze the skin so it won’t get old. Ever. Haha – I wish. Hey, who knows? Maybe we’ll just go crazy and hop on a plane to Spain.

It’s not far. Where I live(d) was 22 degrees today.

Or then a cottage and the hole in the ice. Warm and nice. 😊

17:22 I love that!!!! Both extremes. Fireplace. Sunshine.

Me too.

You have no idea how much I love fires. 😊 🔥

17.56 I love a dark cottage with the glow and noise and smell from the fireplace. The silent forest outside. The privacy.

If you are trying to make me move to Finland….. it’s working!!

And I love hooks, too!!! You’re addicted to fires and my teens say I am addicted to hooks. More about that later.

17:57 Hooks?

Yes, I’m crazy about hooks.

For clothes? Or fishing??

For mostly everything. Got one as a surprise gift from my daughter last Xmas. I got so happy and emotional that I cried. She started laughing and filmed me smiling and crying – holding the hook. Hilarious.

17.59 Hahaha. A hook!?

I’ll send you a pic soon.

Interested about your hooks.

18:00 Basic stuff. Not hooking myself up in spears and ceilings and such, like some lunatics. So, you have nothing to fear.

18:01 Haha. Very good. Phew.

I’m walking past Bulevardi and send him a pic of the icy church yard.

18:02 Are you close to cathedral?

Near Esplanadi. So not that far from the cathedral.

It looks familiar. I have walked a lot across Helsinki. Hope it snows soon.

Hope for a nice fire, at least.

Where can we light a fire?

We’ll have to google that because outside is no fun in the rain right now.

Back home, Anna sends him the requested selfie of her new hair.

18:24 Very nice! Looks great.

18:45 Thanks! 😘

21.20 Hello. 😘 Just a quick one. Hope you’re finding the time to relax over there and enjoying your new hairdo. What do your kids think? I’m sure they love it. Going for my Karoo cut next week.

21.24 Sounds great! I’m going to sew something with my sewing machine now.
What are you up to over there?

21.37 What are you creating tonight?

Just a practical sheet system for the sofa bed.

Oh. Very good. I’d like to see that. Did you take classes for that? Or are you just a natural??

Only in elementary school. I’m no good. Just improvise.

I think you are very modest.

No. In Finland people are really good at these things. I just learn the basics of everything and like to do a bit when needed.

21:41 That’s still impressive. Just about to eat so speak to you soon. Don’t forget to send the finished product! Please. 😊

Haha. Talk to you soon. Good night. ☺️

You never know, but who knows, who knows?

Obs. All names have been changed, and chat messages were published with the match’s kind permission.

Obs. Day 52 of life can actually be good.

Chapter 20 – A Little Place in Finland

This blog is a book. Maybe better read from the beginning? 🙂

There is a little place in Finland – so unpretentious – that invites you to come and relax for a few days. Its calming breeze seems to whisper, “You are your truest self with me, so drop your guard, inhale and exhale, and notice your contentment”.

It’s a place where nature envelops you with tranquility and its little birds tweet in the morning.

Other than that, all you can hear are the sounds of silence. And your own steps in the snow.

To get there, you must drive for a pretty long time in the countryside, before taking a left turn onto a dirt road in the forest.

A beautiful forest. Hilly – majestic in its simplicity.

It’s no touristic site, nor does it aspire any fame. It is just whole and happy to be what it is.

Precious. Priceless.

Ten kilometers down the dirt road, after various curves of peaceful expectation, you come to a little farm where the dogs start barking to announce your arrival, a few horses neigh behind a white wooden fence, and the lady in her late sixties who owns the place comes out to greet you with a warm smile and animated chatter. Her husband is a friendly man, too, though he talks much, much less.

They’ll lead the way, ten minutes further down to their lake and the little cottage you’ve rented to spend a few days at. There, you can enjoy total privacy and solitude. Naps, the fireplace, healthy meals (and some Fazer chocolate, of course).

Anna loves jogging and walking around the lake. And all the hard work of carrying logs from the woodshed to the cottage.

The property has electricity, but no running water, which makes the whole experience even more special, as the water to do the dishes has to be fetched from the lake.

Once a day, you sit in the sauna and let it revive your whole being – body and soul – as you look out the sauna window at the amazing views with pine and birch trees, before a skinny dip in the hole in the ice.

Avanto, in Finnish.

For her, the place is loaded – but only with good memories and emotions. The first two times, she came here to celebrate a very white Christmas with Mr. Ex, their little kids and dear friends.

Santa Claus showed up too, making his way slowly to the cottage in the unblemished snow. Four-year-old Kristiina was so excited to meet Santa in person, but then she recognized our friend, “It’s Rick, it’s Rick!” she giggled happily, while Baby Joey slept through the whole thing.

Anna will always be grateful to Rick for introducing her to this place.

In the next chapter, permit me to forward our story to February 2017, a little over a year after Anna’s divorce.

This is the first time Anna is here at the cottage alone.

All her stays have been special, but the best two were with CT2, aka Tinder Date #16, aka let’s wait and see.

Are you getting any curious? Well, if you’re patient…

…You might get a few glimpses into the warmest, most passionate parts of her sielu soon.

Obs. Next, flashforward to day 428 since moving out.