.268 | to Martin, from Youmna

I often tell my friends that the thing I miss the most from before the pandemic is the opportunity to meet strangers and hear their stories. While I miss this, I am so grateful for the virtual friendship that I have made with my friend Martin this year. The day that the shutdown started in March 2020, I started tutoring Martin through the Washington English Center. For more than a year, we have chatted for one hour every week, living through the highs and lows of the pandemic together.

Martin and I often joke that we talk to each other more than we talk to most of our friends these days. We listen to new music, exchanges stories about our weekends, complain about work, and share in the celebrations in our respective lives (Martin had his second son during the pandemic!) While I might be the 'tutor' in our relationship, Martin has taught me far more than I have taught him. He's provided laughter and silliness in an otherwise heavy year and expanded my horizon to different cultures and stories. I am so grateful I've gotten to make such a great friend this year.