"Always remember, although the unimaginative see life as a thread stretched from one point to another, birth to death, a life truly lived is a glorious tangle.

One is never lost.

And if one is lucky, one is never found, either." - Travis Baldree.

My Dearest and Most Excellent Gina,

It is an immense privilege to be able to write this, because it means that I am fortunate enough to know you.

It is also probably quite embarrassing, so please forgive me (or just stop reading).

The first of September 2022 was the day that my life changed. We had planned to go paragliding, but the weather planned otherwise. We instead went to that random Russian vegan place. It took half an Uber trip for me to get a glimpse of your humour, shared love for Pratchett, and your unmatched wit and intellect. The day passed in a bit of a blur, but thanks to the weather, we were compelled to reschedule, and I was gifted with an opportunity to see you once more, in the same week.

The weather did not allow me to jump off a cliff, but you were able to, and somehow did not use it as an escape. Shortly after, sitting at Rockpool, I discovered that you also maintained a notes app full of out-of-context quotes. This was also when you first recommended John Irving to me.
Alas, it was time to part, and a slight heaviness fell upon me, thinking that this may have been a fluke, and it was to be the last time that I saw you. Totoro, it seems, had different plans.

A few months later, I found myself in Cape Town once more, and we spent time absolutely not watching Phoebe Lou. And then again, at my first ever vegan sushi place. It was not enough time, but seemed more than I could ask for.

A short month later, just before your birthday, I found myself in Cape Town for the Formula E, and was once again lucky enough to spend some time with you and celebrate the day you escaped Leonardo diCaprio. I was newly struck by how intelligent, funny and interesting you are. It seemed too easy to talk about anything and everything.

Then, a long break. A bit of chatting, but very sporadic.

Next time we hung out was on Father's day, as people do. This was particularly memorable to me, as it was the first time I got an insight into your moral and political views, and they were remarkably similar to my own, which is something very important to me. This is, I think, when the idea of inviting you to travel with me first started taking form. A crazy idea, barely entertained, but formed nonetheless.

Just before it was time to wake Greenday up, that very September, I got to spend another day with you. Even though we were still basically strangers, it seemed like seeing someone I'd always known. Perhaps the braincell had already started growing? The buried idea once again resurfaced, and I suggested to you that you travel to Japan with me. I'm not sure if you thought I was serious, and we kinda left it there. A month later, I reiterated the idea, and somehow plans were made.

December arrived, and then you arrived in Japan. I could not believe this person had condemned herself to spending, not the originally-planned two weeks, but a full month with me. I do think I tested you, and your patience a few times, but it was, all in all, a magical trip. When we went our separate ways, I was not sure if I was sadder about leaving Japan, or about having to live without Gina again.

Life returned to normal, but did not feel normal at all. And then misfortune struck and your life was turned upside down. Moving, rental drama, phantom fleas. Totoro showed his wrath. Somehow, you were moving to Joburg. But no, not Joburg. Pretoria. Literally next door to me. With an adjacent kitchen.

What followed were some of the happiest days I can remember. It was tough at times, I'm sure, but there was also more laughter and happiness than I could've hoped for. And a cat/son.

Then, after what seemed like no time at all, it was time for you to leave. And you took my cat.

Seems a bit strange to write all of these things that you already know, but there is a lot that cannot nicely be squeezed in if we're just writing an account.

The stomachache-inducing laughter, the chicken attacks, the daily anime watching, the green thumbs, the shogi games, the ungodly martinis, the dior-soaked Totoro loan, the cooking, the excursions, the chats, the letters.

As is painfully obvious, I am not a writer. I am also not much of a communicator.

My point, in a very roundabout way, is that I am glad all the little probabilities came together in the way they did. I'm glad that I've been able to get to know some small part of you, and be part of some small part of your life. Even if I were a writer, I would not be able to explain how much it has all meant to me. How much you mean to me.

Things have been a bit strange lately. I don't know if it's life, if it was words unsaid that should've been said, if it was words said that shouldn't have been, if it was something that I did or didn't do, if it's all of these things, or something else completely.

When I was restoring my phone, I lost a lot of WhatsApp chat history. The most recent messages were from June last year. We would talk every day. Almost nonstop. I don't need that in and of itself, but I do wonder what happened. Let me know if you have any thoughts, but I also don't want to push it.

Anyways, this is still a birthday message, and the main point, despite all the meaningless drivel I've just typed, is to celebrate you.

I love how you are the first to understand a pun, and the first to reply with another. How you're curious about things, and almost obsessive if they interest you. When you put your mind to something, heaven help anyone trying to stop you. You notice little things that a lot of people don't. You know a lot of your weaknesses, and either gracefully acknowledge them, or unabashedly ignore them and do not let them slow you. You are proud, without being arrogant, and humble without being self-deprecating. You make people feel like you're interested in them. You love animals.

This all adds up to a whole bunch of waffle, and there's definitely much more I want to say but don't have the words for, and there's probably a lot I have explained badly.

In short, thank you for putting up with me for so long, and letting me experience a bit of Gina.

'"I beg your forgiveness for the words I did not say," Fern began, trying to remember Astryx's phrasing exactly. "I beg your patience for the ways I failed you. I don't expect it, but crave and strive for your regard."' - Also Travis Baldree.

"I hope you know this truth down in the middle of your bones: You are amazing. You are fantastic. You are beautiful and brave and full of love. You are as lovely as the moon." - Patrick Rothfuss.

"Sting like a beaver." - Gina Pierini.