I just woke up and happened onto this lovely tear-jerker. Thank you for putting such specific images and words to something so many of us have experienced! Mine was on a trip to France from the states when I was 10. For several days, we stayed at a large inn on the outskirts of Paris where I met a Danish girl named Vanessa who spoke impeccable French and English. We spent much of the days together feeding ducks in the pond and trying to catch one of the hordes of pigeons with our bare hands (we both succeeded!). We talked about everything and everything and decided we would be friends forever. We stayed in touch through hand written letters for a couple of years and then it died out. That would have been about 1980. I’ve wondered about her but don’t even remember her last name. Much luck to you in finding Fiona!
It's magical isn't, those early friendships. Thanks so much for your kind words. Now, I'm intrigued, what happened to your letters? Or did you never even swap surnames? I remember having a pen pal like that! I will update when I find Fiona!
Oh I love this! All I know about my first “best friend” is we were briefly in reception together in Pontypridd in the mid-1980s and her name was Jemma. Then we moved to Australia. 😢 I would love to know what happened to her!
I also now really want to know what happened to Fiona!
I love this!! What a gorgeous tale of innocent friendship wrapped up in delicious 80's nostalgia. So beautifully written too. Hopefully another friend came along and filled that empty desk.....
I just woke up and happened onto this lovely tear-jerker. Thank you for putting such specific images and words to something so many of us have experienced! Mine was on a trip to France from the states when I was 10. For several days, we stayed at a large inn on the outskirts of Paris where I met a Danish girl named Vanessa who spoke impeccable French and English. We spent much of the days together feeding ducks in the pond and trying to catch one of the hordes of pigeons with our bare hands (we both succeeded!). We talked about everything and everything and decided we would be friends forever. We stayed in touch through hand written letters for a couple of years and then it died out. That would have been about 1980. I’ve wondered about her but don’t even remember her last name. Much luck to you in finding Fiona!
It's magical isn't, those early friendships. Thanks so much for your kind words. Now, I'm intrigued, what happened to your letters? Or did you never even swap surnames? I remember having a pen pal like that! I will update when I find Fiona!
I had her surname back then, but have long since forgotten it. And the letters are lost, too. Such a heartbreak!
Oh I love this! All I know about my first “best friend” is we were briefly in reception together in Pontypridd in the mid-1980s and her name was Jemma. Then we moved to Australia. 😢 I would love to know what happened to her!
I also now really want to know what happened to Fiona!
Hey Jen, you know what because of writing this article I now have a lead to find her! So I will report back. So pleased it struck a chord with you x
Yay! I was hoping that would happen!
OMG friends reunited! Who didn’t look up a lost best friend on that? I know I did. It wasn’t all old crushes
I know, right?! It was such an amazing site for Gen Xers like me!
I love this!! What a gorgeous tale of innocent friendship wrapped up in delicious 80's nostalgia. So beautifully written too. Hopefully another friend came along and filled that empty desk.....
Thanks Emily! Many laughs were indeed had with other besties indeed!