Dear Sebastian,
There have been moments in my life when I’ve crossed paths with someone and was forever changed as a result of the encounter. Usually, you don’t realize the impact someone is making until after they have gone. In your case, I’ve been aware of it since we met on Sunday. It’s a strange reality to sit across from someone and know your life will be a little better because of them.
The last few days have been such a joy getting to know you and spend time with you. I have loved discussing world cultures and both the differences and similarities between our countries. I’ve loved sharing my hometown of Nashville and my state of Tennessee with you. I hope you encounter genuine and extravagant hospitality throughout your journey and each place becomes better than the last. Leaving my home this morning, a soft tear fell down my cheek at the thought of never seeing you again so I hope I can adequately share in this letter how much I have enjoyed you being here and how much your visit has meant to me.
It has been so wonderful having someone to come home to at the end of each day. I had forgotten what it felt like to spend evenings with a man talking and laughing without any expectations. I have a wonderful life, but it is also very routine and monotonous. You and your journey have reminded me it doesn’t have to be that way. I can change my story; I can change my routine.
Your adventurous spirit is contagious, and your carefree life is something to be admired. We have very different views on many things, but our sense of adventure and hope for people is the same. We know the world is scary, and we know the risks… But even in that knowledge, we both manage to keep our faith in humanity believing people are still truly good. It’s hard to pick a favorite moment of my time with you, but I think it was likely the night of Summer Solstice, sitting on my porch eating a delicious dinner you cooked and enjoying wine together—the sound of music fading out of the windows not quite loud enough to drown out the sound of the summer cicadas. Any silence in the conversation was comforting rather than awkward. You are an easy person to enjoy, and your company is relaxed.
You are both handsome and mysterious, and your eyes are kind. I could immediately tell your soul was gentle, and I was drawn to that. You are not my type, or at least typically so, but I found myself very attracted to you. Maybe it is the curiosity of a foreigner, maybe it’s because you took me by surprise with your kind spirit. Regardless, I hope you know how attractive you are to others, both inside and out. I hope you take pride in that. I have loved being a tourist in my own city with you, and I have been amazed at how you have reminded me of how much I enjoy simple pleasures like cooking dinner with friends, sunsets on porches with music and wine, and talking for hours with friends about nothing in particular.
Mostly, I am grateful for the ways you and our conversations have made me realize my dreams do not have to sit dormant on a shelf. I can pick them up, dust them off and make them a reality. Thank you for reminding me of what’s possible. Thank you for being brave, and thank you for not settling for a basic life in Zurich. You will impact many people across my country, and I look forward to hearing more of your stories as you travel.
For now, I will say goodbye with a smile. It’s as if you were my European summer fling, but without the fling. I will always remember this week with fondness, and these memories I will hold dear for years to come. When you cross my mind, I will smile and remember this brief moment when a stranger from Germany changed my heart in a most unexpected way. Thank you for sharing a brief part of your journey with me. Best of luck as you travel, and I look forward to following along.