Hi everyone! This week I want to write a letter to a friend that I lost touch with.
It’s s very personal story. I hope it can comfort you if you’ve had similar experiences.
And as always, hope my writing helps you learn and read more Chinese!
English translation is provided below the Chinese writing.
还记得我们2011年第一次见面。
那时候大学开学,我刚来加拿大。
我们在同一个宿舍同一个楼层。
第一次见到你,
我在想 “这个女孩头发好长好黑,
眼睛大大的,像是漫画里的人物”。
I still remember our first-time meeting each other back in 2011.
At that time, college started and I just arrived in Canada.
We were on the same floor in the same dorm.
First time seeing you,
I was thinking "this girl's hair is so long and black.
Her eyes are big, looking like an anime character".
后来我们越来越熟,
变成了最好的朋友。
我们一起吃饭,聊天,看视频。
我们一起去纽约旅行。
常常一聊就是好几个小时。
难过和快乐都会互相分享。
Then we got to know each other better,
and became best friends.
We eat, chat, and watch videos together.
We travel to New York together.
Often we chat for hours.
We share sadness and happiness with each other.
大学毕业的时候,
我的第一份实习工作很不顺利。
经理不喜欢我爱提意见,把我开除了。
我很难过。
你陪我去游乐园,听我诉苦。
后来我去了西雅图,你去了温哥华。
我们每年互相去对方的城市见面。
我失恋的时候,你来西雅图找我。
我们一起去登山看风景。
When I graduated from college,
my first internship job didn't go well.
The manager didn't like my feedback and fired me.
I felt very sad.
You accompanied me to the amusement park and listened to my complaints.
Afterwards I moved to Seattle and you moved to Vancouver.
We went to each other's cities to meet every year.
When I went through my breakup, you came to Seattle for me.
We went hiking together to see the scenery.
那时候的我就发现。
我最难过的时候,一直都有你在。
是的,在我19岁到29岁的时光里,
我的青春岁月里,
你是我最重要的朋友。
I found out at that time.
When I was the saddest, you were always there.
Yes, from the time when I was 19 to 29,
in my youth,
you were my most important friend.
我想起那年暑假你来我的家乡天津。
我很开心的和你介绍我长大的地方。
我们还一起去北京旅行。
你居然丢了护照,我们一起去公安局。
你听不懂带口音的普通话,
我只好给你当翻译。
那时候我常常取笑你是乌龟,
总是迟到,还丢三落四。
I thought of you coming to my hometown Tianjin that summer vacation.
I was very happy to introduce to you the place where I grew up.
We also traveled to Beijing together.
You actually lost your passport.
We went to the Public Security Bureau together.
You couldn't understand Mandarin with an accent,
so I had to be your interpreter.
Back then I used to make fun of you for being a turtle,
alwyas being late and losing stuff.
两年前我很开心的联系你。
我换工作了,要搬去你所在的城市。
我以为我们终于可以经常见面,像我们过去在大学里一样。
然而在那次聊天之后,
我联系了你三次,却再也没有收到你的回复。
Two years ago I was very happy to contact you.
I changed jobs and was moving to your city.
I thought we could finally see each other as often as we used to in college.
However, after that chat,
I contacted you three times and never heard back from you.
我很困惑,也很担心你。
我只好联系了你的姐姐,她说你一切都好。
我想不明白你为什么不回复我。
那时候的我感受到原来失去朋友比失恋还要痛苦。
I was confused and worried about you.
I had to contact your sister, she said you were all right.
I didn't understand why you didn't reply to me.
At that time, I felt that losing a friend was more painful than losing a relationship.
我以为我们会是一辈子的朋友。
我以为我们会做彼此的伴娘。
我们的孩子也会成为好朋友。
我以为我们会一起变老。
那天我看到两个老太太一起散步聊天。
我突然想起了你。
I thought we would be friends for life.
I thought we'd be each other's bridesmaids.
Our kids would also be good friends.
I thought we'd grow old together.
I saw two old ladies walking and chatting together the other day.
I suddenly thought of you.
亲爱的朋友,
你过得还好吗。
我很想念你。
我知道你一定有你的理由。
我不想责怪你。
我希望你过得开心。
虽然我很难过你的离开,
但我依然感谢你过去的陪伴。
希望你一切都好。
Dear friend,
how are you lately.
I miss you a lot.
I know you must have your reasons.
I don't want to blame you.
I hope you live happily.
Although I'm sad for your departure in my life,
I still appreciate your company in the past.
I hope you are well.
🎬 资源
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This was very moving. I enjoyed reading it. Everyone's at a different stage in life, things come and go. But I am happy you both enjoyed your experiences together.