Happy 29th birthday for the 40th time mom 🥹 Hope you get to be 25 for all eternity 💞

The story behind that wish is that she had forgotten to stop adding years at 25, and was reminded of that when she turned 29. Teija and I knew that she didn't want to turn 30, so we made her a big sign that read something along the lines of "only one year left to the big 3-0" 🤭

Translation for Silja for the Canadian side of the family:

I got to know Soile in 1968, when starting grammar school at the High school for girls in Rauma. We attended the same school for many years and Soile was my best friend ever.

That friendship lasted... Meri and Teija, you visited me in Kokemäki with Soile in the mid-80s, when you were still quite small.

Canada whisked away my friend and we were lost to each other for many years. I missed Soile and looked for her on social media, and found her through Lexi, thank you again Lexi. I remember the great joy of finding each other again that was mutual..... We talked for hours.

The memory of Soile in my heart is very dear to me and I remain blessing the memory of my friend.

Opin tuntemaan Soilen v.1968, mennessämme oppikouluun, Rauman Tyttölyseoon. Kuljimme yhtämatkaa opintoja monta vuotta ja Soile oli mun ihan paras kaveri.

Ystävyys jatkui... Meri ja Teija , kävitte Soilen kanssa luonani Kokemäellä 80-luvun puolivälissä, ollessanne aika pieniä.

Kanada vei ystäväni ja olimme monia vuosia kadoksissa toisiltamme.

Kaipasin ja etsin Soilea sosiaalisesta mediasta ja löysin hänet Lexin kautta, kiitos Lexi vielä. Muistan mikä suuri ilo oli molemmin puolinen kun jälleen löysimme toisemme..... puhuimme tunti tolkulla.

Sydämessäni Soilen muisto on minulle

rakas ja jään siunaamaan ystäväni muistoa.

Translation of Erkka for MB family: He still has a hat in his car, that Soile sewed the ornaments on, on a sunny summer day in Rauma. The hat's seen better days, but it's been well over 40 years. Thanks to Soile and may she rest in peace.

Mulla on yhä auton hattuhyllyllä hattu johon Soile ompeli koristeet, eräänä kauniina kesäpäivänä Aarningonkadun pihalla Raumalla. Hattu on sittemmin hieman auringossa virttynyt, onhan aikaa kulunut yli 40 vuotta. Kiitokset Soilelle ja lepää rauhassa.

I hope sharing a link works, because this was one of mom's favourite songs 🥹 https://youtu.be/pATX-lV0VFk?si=TiHgetR81WO1QnJE