The relationships you develop over the course of an exchange are lasting. Dawn and I have developed a relationship with our German counterparts over fifteen years. It is a bond that goes beyond just partners for academic activity. We have spent a great deal of time with many teachers over the years but we have a family that we are especially close to and have contact with until this day. We have stayed at their home multiple times and have become a part of their family just as they have become a part of our family. Erika Frey Schlumberger and her husband Frank are both teachers at the Heimschule Lender. Erika teaches English and Frank is a history teacher. They have two daughters that been great hosts while we are there. Nadine and Lara are very important to us and we are always happy to hear of all of the great things they are doing.
I love all of the adventures we have had together and I will cherish my time with them as long as I live. We have visited great places to hike and see the Schwarzwald. We have been to historic places like a monastery where the author Herman Hesse studied as a child. I now have to say that I am partial to another member of the family. Leo the cat is truly one of my best friends ever. I am very serious about this conviction. There were times when I was anxious because of being in an unfamiliar country and learning the language and customs. He always seemed to know the value of sitting next to me and calming me down. He passed away a few years ago and I was honestly heartbroken when Erika called. The dozens of times we sat together on the back patio are some of the best memories I have of being in Germany. I miss him and when we return to Sasbach, it won’t be the same without him. I love my time with Erika, Frank, Nadine, and Lara but my time with Leo was special in ways that are hard to describe.