"all started in 2007...."
Yes, 14 years ago we met "the Salmans" for the first time, at the pool of our vacation condominium building in Cape Coral, FL. Mark and Karen decided to take a short vacation down there and met a German family at the pool. At first, it was just a short contact but soon it developed into very lively conversations and be around each other for the rest of our vacation time. On our last day, Mark and Karen came to our condo to say goodbye and handed over their e-mail-address. From this point, we exchanged hundreds of emails. In the first two years, we wrote literally every day a letter. We had so much to share.
We decided to meet again in 2008 and Mark and Karen invited us to their home and to spend time with them. We agreed and we made an appointment on a certain day, at a certain time, in a certain restaurant in Orlando, FL. We were very excited if the Salmans would be there or not. And they were.
From this time point on we maintained a deep friendship with Mark and Karen, over the long distance between Germany and the USA, by mails, telephone calls, and visits on both sides of the Atlantic ocean of Mark and Karen and us.
We made many vacations together, unforgettable Mark´s "smokey burger" that he grilled on a portable grill in Cape Coral, that created so much smoke that we were concerned that the neighbors will call the fire department.
Mark gave us the chance to learn more about the American way of life, aside from a usual touristic sight, we could meet his family and the friends of the family, like John and Barbara, and Jerry and Lory. We are so grateful for all the experiences we were able to make. We shared so many fantastic moments, had so much fun together, had so many good laughs together. I miss all that already. Thank you, Mark!
It hurts so much that my dear friend Mark is now gone and it will take a while until we will meet again, someday in the future and in heaven.
But we will go on and keep the friendship to Karen, the family, and all the new friends and acquaintances we made in those wonderful years. As soon as the Covid-19 situation allows (when the travel ban is gone) we will travel to Florida again and will meet Karen and continue our friendship.
I have hundreds of photos that I could share, three of them are attached. Good memories.
in love and with sincere condolence for the Salman family
Markus, Katrin, and Alicia
Wallenhorst, Germany 04.17.2021
