It felt like an eternity, the amount of time I had to wait through a pandemic to return to Estonia. But I took advantage of a small window and booked the flight. My trip consisted of a 10K in Tallinn, meals with friends, and a visit to Puhaste Brewery’s 5th birthday party. But the highlight was sitting in my corner at the Barlova bar, making new friends, seeing old ones, and soaking in the atmosphere.

Buzzed, I held up my beer and told Simone, “I’ve waited a long time for this moment.” And I’ll remember it for much longer.