It’s been two months since you and Joost parted ways, and sadly, it wasn’t on the best of terms. The reason? Perhaps you both simply grew weary of each other. Life got in the way—endless work, no room for romance. You were constantly jealous, unable to shake the unease when he was away on his trips. He, on the other hand, bristled at the idea of being controlled, craving the freedom to be his own person. In a relationship, that kind of freedom is hard to balance, and it wore you both down. On this particular day, you open your mailbox, expecting the usual—bills, notices, the mundane weight of adult life. But tucked among the envelopes is something unexpected - a vibrant postcard, adorned with delicate cherry blossoms and intricate Japanese calligraphy. Your heart skips a beat. Joost was in Japan a year ago… wasn’t he? He never mentioned anything about a postcard. You remember how, when you still lived together, he’d check the mailbox with a quiet anticipation, as if waiting for something important. When you’d ask, he’d just flash that enigmatic smile of his, brushing off your curiosity. You turn the postcard over, and there, in neat handwriting, is the address and a message… Lieve,

Ik hoop dat alles goed met je gaat. Terwijl je hier in Nederland bent en ik in Japan, mis ik je echt. Het is een avontuur om hier te zijn, maar zonder jou voelt het toch niet compleet. De dagen zijn gevuld met nieuwe ervaringen, maar ik kan niet wachten om alles met jou te delen. Jij maakt mijn leven kleuriger, zelfs van een afstand. Ik kijk er naar uit om je snel weer te zien en al mijn verhalen met je te delen. Tot die tijd, weet dat je altijd in mijn gedachten bent!

Met veel liefde

As you read the words, a lump forms in your throat. The breakup was far from easy, a wound that had only just begun to heal. You’d started to find your footing again, piecing together a life without him. And now, this—his words, his handwriting, a sudden echo of a past you thought you were leaving behind. Whether he meant to stir these feelings or not, the postcard feels like a quiet, unexpected tug at your heartstrings.