Days blurred together, each one passing a little too slowly for Astrid, as she adjusted to the quiet and emptiness of life without Erik by her side. Familiar places that they had spent time together seemed strangely hollow now, like parts of her world had shifted slightly out of focus. Still, she clung to the knowledge that he was doing something meaningful in Paris, building his career and following his dream.
Not long after Erik's arrival in Paris, his first letter finally showed up in her mailbox. She felt a wave of excitement and relief at the sight of his familiar handwriting on the envelope. She read it avidly, line by line, as if each one pulled her closer to him, bridging the distance between Stockholm and Paris.
In his letter, Erik described his new life in Paris, the beauty of the architecture he passed daily, and the thrill of working with some of the most innovative architects in the field. He told her about his colleagues, the sprawling views from his office, and the hum of the city at night. Erik wrote as if he were speaking directly to her, adding in little sketches of famous Parisian landmarks and funny anecdotes that made her laugh. By the time she finished the letter, she could almost hear his voice, and for a brief moment, she felt as though he were right there with her.
As the weeks went by, the letters became a ritual. Astrid would count with longing the days on the calendar when she expected a new letter to arrive. Erik wrote about everything: his struggling times, the sense of completeness in his work, the Parisian culture, and how the things around him reminded him of her. He told her of the smell of pastries each morning from the bakery he visited, reminding him of their favorite bakery in Stockholm. He wrote about the quiet moments at night when the bustling city would calm, and he'd look out over the Seine, feeling the ache of missing her.
And Astrid, in turn, poured her heart out in her replies. She wrote of the art projects she was working on, exhibitions she had been to, and gallery openings she had attended, though she missed having him by her side. She sent him sketches of Stockholm's autumn, capturing the changing leaves and the familiar skyline. She shared little stories about her friends, their laughs and shared memories, and every letter was laced with her longing for him. She found herself writing more than she ever had before, putting into words her feelings and laying bare parts of herself that at times even face-to-face were not easily shared.
Each letter was kept, a memory, a promise of their love. Almost as if they documented some kind of journey, being taken on, while they were parted. Writing became a new form of intimacy for them, allowing them to connect on a deeper level, to share pieces of their days and emotions that might have gone unsaid in person. As they shared these letters, Astrid realized that she was learning more about Erik's inner world, his thoughts, his insecurities, and his dreams in a way she hadn't before. The connection grew, even with the physical distance between them.
Later one evening, when a particularly long day in the studio was finally over, Astrid found Erik's latest letter waiting for her on the doorstep. She took it inside, made herself a cup of tea, and sat down on the couch with a soft blanket. In this letter, Erik had included an especially vivid description of a park he had visited, comparing its lush greenery and intricate flowerbeds to the Swedish countryside they'd explored together. He wrote about how, while sitting on a bench, he had been reminded of one of their long hikes in Sweden, the moments when they would pause to admire the landscape, hand in hand.
The letter ended on a note that pulled at her heart: "Astrid, I think of you constantly here. I see something beautiful, and I want to share it with you. I see something funny, and I wish you were here to laugh with me. It feels as though a part of me is missing, like you're the piece of my life that makes everything complete. I pray that as you read this, you will be a little closer to me and know that my heart is always with you."
Her chest ached as she finished reading, missing him deeply yet comforted by his words. She spent the rest of the evening drafting her reply, describing her latest painting and sending him a sketch of a new concept she was working on. She shared stories about her day, adding in her own longing, trying to convey how much he meant to her, even across the miles.
But one letter caught her off guard. Erik had written to her about a point when he had doubted himself at work, with the weight of expectations upon him and the big responsibility of such a big project on his shoulders. He confessed that he missed having her around to support him and that sometimes he regretted taking up the job. She had never seen him question himself that way before, and knowing he was struggling and not being able to comfort him from so far away tore at her heart.
Astrid poured her heart into her reply, reminding him of his strengths, of the way he always found solutions to problems and inspired others around him. She reassured him that it was but part of the journey, that he would come through stronger, and he would leave his mark on this project. She included in her mail a quote from one of their favorite books on resilience and sent him a small sketch of them both holding hands-a sign of partnership, as sure as ever, sure of support.
The letters became a comfort to her as winter closed in in Stockholm, and she passed her time deepening her art. She used this longing and all her other feelings when expressing her work, pieces that conveyed the complexity of her heart. Her friends noticed there was a new depth in the work, vulnerability, intensity that hadn't been present before, and she knew it was Erik's absence, his influence, their love that fueled her creative endeavors.
As the letters flowed, Astrid began to open up in her replies, feeling her own fears and insecurities. Erik's honesty had given her the courage to be vulnerable, too. She spoke of her anxieties about the future, the fear of losing him to the excitement and opportunities that Paris offered. And in turn, Erik reassured her, filling his letters full of promises that the distance didn't lessen his love, that no city could take him from her.
Through each letter, they forged a deeper bond, building a foundation of trust, resilience, and understanding that they knew would carry them through whatever challenges lay ahead.
As spring approached, Astrid felt a shift within herself, a quiet strength she hadn't known before. She realized that while the distance was difficult, it had brought them closer, allowing them to learn more about each other, to grow individually and together. They became her lifeline, evidence of a love that knew no boundaries. In their very own peculiar way, they learned what it was to love unconditionally, support the dreams of each other, and hold on to hope despite the distance.