German Heritage and a trip to San Fran

I was invited on a quick trip to San Francisco with a dear German friend of mine. The German part of that description is necessary because I grew up with German grandparents that immigrated and a father that spoke only German until he went to school. I was more proud of my German blood than anything about myself. At age 20, I fulfilled a dream and spent the summer in Heidelberg, Germany.

I have vivid memories of biking through giant sunflower fields on my way to the forest park finding solitude and sanity. Routine walks to the neighborhood bakery, the immense beauty and precision of the country, and the history etched onto the buildings and faces of the elderly captured my heart. I loved exploring a bit into the Swiss Alps, The Netherlands and my favorite - The Czech Republic. BUT I learned, almost upon landing, that I was definitively not German. I am American with a strong German heritage.

Back to my trip to San Francisco. I spent three days reliving my childhood happiness of German descent and my summer immersed in real Germany. I experienced deep, meaningful conversations, beauty, delicious food (even a very traditional German bakery!), nature, and a million pleasant memories of my German upbringing through strangers who immediately felt like family. Everything from the accents to the stories to the German character traits that are shared by my biological family and my hosts filled me with joy.

Hugging my new friend goodbye, with tears in her eyes, she whispered, "How can you feel like you've known someone forever when you only just met them?" My heart overflows with gratitude for exposure to new people and new experiences. I'm so thankful for supernatural connection moments. I'm deeply appreciative for my German heritage, my experience of Germany, and all the pleasant memories connected to being German. I'm especially thankful for my friend who shared her trip, her heart, and her family with me. It brought both old and new joy to the forefront of my heart. Thank you, Lea.