Well today is the day we bid a fond farewell to my old (as in long standing) friend as she leaves good old Blighty behind to start a new life in the sun.

We met through work over 30 years ago and she has always been the life and soul of the party. With her ability to chat with anyone and her infectious laugh she brings a smile to everyone’s face and has always lived life to the full.

For as long as I can remember she has dreamed of moving abroad to sunnier climes and took the first steps a few years ago, buying a holiday home on the island of Crete.

After losing her beloved Mum, she decided life is too short and you have to live your best life. With work life definitely not being our best life, she took early retirement at the end of 2016 and inspired me to stop dithering and take the leap myself. Sharing some great times together neither of us have taken even a peek back since.

She has not always had the right man in her life but has an innate ability to bounce back and keep smiling. However having now found her soul mate, to look after her, treat her like his princess, who shares her love of life and has also grown to love life in the sun, life is almost perfect.

Heading off in December to spend Christmas in their holiday home saw them “stuck” in Crete by the pandemic for months, through the Winter, Spring and into early Summer. It inadvertently gave them an insight into how life would be if they made the move permanently.

They have made some good friends and discovered the local night life, which they love. The relaxed way of life and cheaper living costs has lured them in and during the easing of Greek lockdown they found their forever home. (Fortunately with room for visiting friends 🤣).

Returning “home” at the beginning of July to pack up their belongings and sell their house, things have moved smoothly and swiftly. With their British life being loaded onto a container next week and their flights booked for the weekend, tonight they are holding a farewell gathering for friends.

It will be an evening tinged with sadness but full of happiness that she is realising her long standing dream and her soul mate is taking the plunge with her.

We haven’t seen much of each other over the past eighteen months, but you’re never more than a message or video call away and I’m going to miss you. 

So I say αντίο φίλε μου.
We wish you both every happiness in your new adventure and look forward to your own “Big Fat Greek Wedding”

👰‍♀️🤵‍♂️