Welcome again
to unapologetically both.
A few days ago,
something happened that completely made my day.
I received a
very thoughtful gift and heart warming digital message card in person from
members of my Heidelberg Meetup group-people who walked into this city as total
strangers years ago, and who are now my absolute chosen family. Reading through
what they wrote and holding that gift filled my heart with happiness and
gratitude.
When you spend
years organizing events—booking restaurant tables, leading hikes through the
vineyards, planning walks, setting up spontaneous lunches, or standing at the
door of a crowded room trying to break the ice—you do it purely because you
love it. You do it because you remember the exact feeling of landing in a
foreign country and wondering if anyone is ever going to say hello to
you.
You certainly
don’t do it expecting gifts or thank-you notes. But when they hand you
something like this in person? Let me tell you, it makes every single minute
completely worth it.
Reading through
these messages, one massive theme kept popping up: Loneliness is tough, but
human connection is something we can actively build.
Wenjing shared
how she arrived in Heidelberg 14 years ago without knowing anyone , and how our
events helped her find her life here.
Others shared
how the group helped them find friends, feel welcome, and get through difficult
times. Eliza talked about making memories and living life to the fullest, while
Anusha beautifully described the people she met as her closest friends and
family in Heidelberg.
And that’s when
I realized something: I started bringing people together to build my own social
life, but along the way, I helped create a home away from home for many.
We don’t just
organize events. We create opportunities for strangers to become friends—and
sometimes, chosen family.
Anna thanked me
for the time, energy, and passion I put into our meetups. Filip called the
group an important part of Heidelberg’s social life, and Ahmed even shared a
meme calling me the soul of our Meetup group. That one made me laugh and
almost tear up at the same time! Franzi and Christoph reminded me why we
keep opening doors in the first place—because bringing people
together means people don't have to be alone. Ahmad wrote the
sweetest thing about how having company when you have nobody around can completely
lift you up when life gets dark. Stefan shouted out all the walks,
dinners, parties, and spontaneous lunches that turned Heidelberg from just
a nice tourist postcard into an actual living , breathing home.
For me
Unapologetically Both means bringing a little Indian warmth and hospitality
into my German life and creating a community that crosses cultures, languages,
and borders.
Sending lots of
love and feeling gratitude.
