Before and After, part 2

The next step in our relationship was THE FIRST VISIT. I had used my numerous Star Alliance miles to fly free from Arizona, USA to Frankfurt, Germany. I remember the flight was long and uneventful, but what kept me awake throughout was the thought of seeing Christian again.

Christian had planned a road-trip, and one of our first stops was Heidelberg. This is the small restaurant where I had the best bratkartoffel (pan fried potatoes) I ever ate!



This is just Christian driving. Which he did a lot. Without smiling. He is the most austere-faced person I know. Really. Whenever he concentrates when he drives I think the world must be falling apart for him to frown that much.



Meet the Funkes. Nice, smart, funny and welcoming. I was nervous for only the first five minutes before they put me at ease by making fun of Christian.



We were in the south of Germany enjoying the river; at one point we even went rowing and visited the famed Neuschwanstein castle, which inspired Walt Disney's Cinderella castle.



Another airport, another goodbye. Smiling through the tears. Already starting to wait for the next time we would see each other again.