The first time I met Tina was in my first job in Tassie in 2023. My first impression was she’s a nice small-town girl, who doesn’t talk much, but is very kind and sweet. Fast forward a couple of months during a work party and I reckon she was a bit tipsy then. She told everyone I was her best friend, and from then on, one of the most beautiful forms of love was born.
I lived in Melbourne for a while before moving down to Hobart. I was going through a very difficult time of my life, and I just wanted to escape from everyone and everything that I knew. Being a friend with Tina played an important role in my healing journey and find myself back again. I keep thinking back to that work party on that cold September night YEAR? Which might have been the pivotal moment for my life towards healing. Since knowing Tina, I’ve learnt to be more patient, calmer, and content. She has taught me by her actions and the way she treats others. She taught me Aussie’s slang, and she taught me how to pronounce the word ‘cement’. Tina makes me feel at home in Hobart and she allows me to be my authentic self, whenever I’m with her.
We love going to Shammies for a drink, support QT Cabaret, and love going to shows (Sorry ballet lovers, we tried and it’s not for us)! I strongly believe everyone needs a friend like Tina, and if the world has more Tinas, the world will know peace and love. Coming back to my point of this story. I think platonic love is very sacred, sometimes maybe more than romantic love. In this case, two strangers from completely different cultures and backgrounds chose to be in each other’s company with no other motive, other than to be able to love, respect, trust and share their life together. We need friends as a human, and adult friendship is very hard to come by, especially if you’re not locally born and bred.
I know it’s very scary, but maybe if we gather some small courage and take the first step to ask that friend crush who we have all been thinking of, to go for a run, or eat apple pie; it might just change your life in a way you’d never expected. Finally, to my beloved Tina. There’s only so many words I can write about you here, but my love and respect for you goes far, far beyond. I’d love to take you to see the Quokkas one day, and I’m very keen for our future trips and plans together. You’re a pillar that ground me here in Tassie and I wouldn’t love Tassie as much without you. I am beyond grateful to have you as my friend.
Thank you for your love, trust, support, and most importantly, for always being there for me through thick and thin.
