Posted on the Oulu CHAFF Blog and my Jacob's Blog.
Almost two years ago, I picked up a very shy German girl at Oulu Airport. She had never travelled out of her home state. I took her to our daughter's home as she had signed to be a tenant. Then I took her for first meal in Oulu at the Pailin Restaurant, as Pornpailin Weber, spoke fluent German. Kerstin was "at home" within a few hours of arrival in this big bad world of Oulu!
Kerstin was clutching a little book in her hand. At the next CHAFF meeting I introduced her to the authors of that book, Ildikó amd Ilari, who had written "Culture Shock Finland" in German! Was she surprised!
From then, Kerstin became a dedicated CHAFF participant, attending many meetings and taking part in all the major CHAFF events in the spirit of all our CHAFF participants.
Kerstin became a great friend of our grandson, Samuel, as they could discuss "Football". They watched several World Cup matches together, each rooting for their own teams.
When she finished her stint at Oulu University, where she was working for her German employer, we were all very sad to see her leave, as it has been with many other CHAFF Participants from around the world.
This evening when I opened my email INBOX, there was an email with the subject line:
Dear Friends,
Yes! From now on I am Ms Mike also known as Ms Birkner!!
Mike and I got married on October 27th and we returned from our honeymoon in Vienna last Tuesday.
The wedding was fabulous! - We had a great and long party with family and friends.
Unfortunately until now I have only a few wedding pictures of groom & bride together, snapshots taken from my little brother. As soon as I receive the other pictures I will email them to you.
For the beginning I send you a few snapshots...
And now...there is another news...Mike and I are pleased to announce that our small family will grow next year (end of April)...I am pregnant and we are happy!!!
Love from grey and moistly Germany,
Kerstin
First time I am hearing of a Best Woman!
All at CHAFF are immensely pleased at this news. I share the photographs that Kerstin sent with all of you.
I hope Kerstin and Mike will accept the congratulations and best wishes from all their dear friends from Oulu and hope the "family" will visit us here in the not too distant future.
