Long time no see

Last night, an unexpected ring at the doorbell! Unexpected, because on weekday evenings I rarely have visitors who come unannounced. So usually an unexpected caller means bad news or fuss I can do without, especially in the evening when I’m decompressing from a stressful day at work. 

With some reluctance I picked up the speaker phone: “Hallo?”  

A cheery voice on the other end chirped: “Surprise!!!!! It’s Mati!” If you’re a long-time follower of my blog you know that Mati is my lifetime friend who moved to the north of Belgium near the Dutch border when she gave up her teaching job in our local primary school to go and work in Antwerp. We’ve known each other since we were three and spent 15 years in the same schools and classrooms. We even spent two summer holidays in Deal together and managed to get our photo in the local paper. I’ve posted about this memorable event here. 

Although we’ve kept in touch since her move north, exchanging Christmas and birthday cards, we hadn’t seen each other since the very early years of the 21^st century … until last night.

I was so surprised and happy to see her that I couldn’t stop hugging her when she walked into the apartment. We nestled ourselves on my big sofa and talked and talked and talked … At first we mainly talked about my upcoming trip …which automatically led to the subject of my blog and my blog friends whom I’m soon to see again or meet for the first time. Later the conversation turned to Mati’s new project, which should lead to the achievement of her lifetime dream … Curious? Sorry, I can’t tell you what it is, because it’s a unique concept and Mati is afraid that someone might steal the idea and use it before she has found the means/sponsor that can help her putting it on the market. All I can say that it has something to do with fashion… 

I also asked her about her children, both in their early thirties now. Apparently Mati’s creativity has rubbed off on them. Her son is a graphic designer. He got married last August and pretty soon Mati will be a grandmother. I’m sure she’ll be very good at it, because as a former teacher she has always been very good and fond of working with children. Her daughter is a professional dancer, who has created and danced some impressive modern performances on different European stages. 

At some point it got really dark and when I switched on the light we realized that it was well over ten o’clock. Mati suggested to pop in at my mother’s to say hello, but I dissuaded her to do so, because my mother was probably already in bed. She was really disappointed, but understood my reasoning.  

It was hard to say goodbye because there was still so much we wanted to share. But Mati had a long drive home ahead of her and she doesn’t like driving in the dark. Luckily the weather was dry and it was a clear evening, without any mist. I hope she got home safely and look forward to seeing her again. 

Mati, if you are reading this, THANK YOU for dropping in. It was fun and I really had a fabulous evening. 

P.S. Blogger is having issues with fonds again. Sorry for the messy lay-out and presentation of this post.