It was June 2016 when she sent me a Facebook request. I didn't know her in real life, but we had one common friend. I remember looking at her pictures and being completely mesmerised. Those eyes! That look. Wow! I accepted her friend request and next day we started talking.
She asked me how I enjoyed my German class in Vienna. I responded. She replied. I asked another question. She made a joke. I laughed out loud. It was very easy to talk to her. She was there, she was open to any subject. She taught me how to speak. Yes, you read it right. I learnt how to say words out loud.
A little back story: my mom died in October 2011. It's not the first thing I bring up when I make a new friend. Also, I was never keen on meeting people younger than me. I was 31, she was 23. I mean, common, I can explain her how the world spins. Just give me a minute and I will reply with a condescending voice, emphasising on the fact that I know better than anyone else. I'm an architect, for God's sake!
Oooh, but little did I know...
She told me that she's thinking about moving to Berlin for a couple of months, to learn German. Her mom died in 2015 and she doesn't know which way to go. "But learning is always good", she thought. And the more she talked, the more I could talk. Of course, at he beginning I wasn't saying more than "Yes./I know what you mean./I understand./Omg, I totally get it./I feel the same."
What else did I learn from her? How to make fun of a bad situation. When I asked for her phone number she said "Don't call me now, though. My phone is in rice, recovering from drowning in water yesterday." And next time I had problems with my phone, I just laughed. "Silly phones, not learning how to swim!"
And oh-my-God, she taught me how to handle dating. "Don't settle for less, Ioana. I know how you are, you should not encourage this type of behaviour just because you like him." She was a 23yo woman who explained the behaviour of my 30+ guy I was dating. She's that smart. And that witty. And that amazing. And she's my dear Patrix.
One of the best memories is the one in the parking lot, at lunch break. I called her to come over, as I needed a hug. She put everything aside and came to talk to me. "I just quit my job, Patrix. I don't know what I'm gonna do." And started crying. And she hugged me and wiped away my tears. "Common, Ioana. You're better than this. You don't have the answer now, but you will figure it out. I promise. Now, now! Show me a smile and go back in the office like you own the place."Â
In January 2017 she picked a book I should/could read. And after I finished reading, I called her and told her that it's decided: "I'm gonna move to Berlin and try to make it on my own. Because you lived there and I can call you anytime, right?" I could hear her smile and she encouraged me once again: "You will love it there. Berlin ist so wunderbar! And yes, Ioana, you can call me anytime."
In February 2017 I moved to Berlin. Would things be different without her in my life? Absolutely. My life wouldn't have so much color. Her love for books and her compassion could win anyone over. And have you seen those eyes? Wait to see her smile. Oh, and her soul is one million times prettier.
She's my Patrix, she's good with words and her love helped me discover wounds I thought I did such a good job hidding. She taught me how to heal, without me even knowing. Nochmals herzlichen Dank für deine Unterstützung, deine liebenswerte Art und deine Anteilnahme, blauen Augen!Â