When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, many people were forced to make significant changes in their lives. For one individual, this meant selling their travel business and transitioning to a new career as a full-time writer. This decision marked a major shift from the bustling office environment to working alone from home. The sudden change brought about feelings of loneliness, prompting the individual to seek out connections within the writing community.
To combat the isolation, the individual joined various writing platforms and discussion groups, where they met like-minded individuals who shared similar experiences. One such person was Joe, a writer from El Salvador who worked multiple jobs to support his family. Despite their differing backgrounds, the two quickly formed a strong bond and became close friends. They would often collaborate on editing each other’s work, providing feedback, and generating new ideas.
Although English was the individual’s first language, Joe’s expertise in Spanish grammar often led to valuable corrections and insights. Their daily interactions over the course of two years during lockdown in Australia solidified their friendship. However, as the world began to reopen in 2021, their communication became less frequent due to other commitments.
Despite the decrease in communication, the bond between the two friends remained strong. When the individual embarked on writing their second book in 2023, they turned to Joe for editing assistance. After the book was completed and released, the individual sent a signed copy to Joe in El Salvador. Unfortunately, the book went missing in transit, prompting a lighthearted exchange between the friends about the lost parcel.
In a spontaneous moment, the individual made a bold promise to travel around the world to personally deliver a copy of the book to Joe. Determined to fulfill this promise, they embarked on a journey to meet their friend in person. After a long flight, the individual arrived in El Salvador, eagerly anticipating the reunion with Joe.
The meeting was filled with excitement and warmth as the two friends embraced and caught up on each other’s lives. Joe graciously showed the individual around San Salvador, introducing them to the local culture and cuisine. The experience of sharing a meal together and exploring the city in person was surreal yet incredibly rewarding.
Over the course of a few days, the individual had the opportunity to meet Joe’s family and immerse themselves in the vibrant culture of El Salvador. Despite the long journey and challenges of travel, the experience of turning a digital friendship into a real-life connection was immensely fulfilling.
As the individual prepared to return home, Joe made a promise of his own – to hand-deliver a copy of his fantasy book to the individual in Melbourne once it was completed. The exchange of promises symbolized the deep bond and mutual respect between the two friends, transcending geographical boundaries and solidifying their friendship for years to come.
