Dear Liane,
I'm extremely proud of you. I've told you before: if only I have half of your courage. The challenges of studying in Italy may be difficult, but I'm seeing that you're handling them well. You're still keeping that upbeat spirit, even if there are days when you may feel like giving up.
We'd started on the same road to medical school, and we've both stepped off the track. Only God knows if we'd get back on it, but the time spent on that path had been valuable, right? The lessons we've learned then, I'm sure, we're already using to our advantage.
I just want to encourage you today. The determination and will that you displayed when you tried out for the step team in high school were impressive. I know that you still possess those same qualities. I've seen flashes of them since, and I know that I'd see them once again.
I look forward to seeing you again---
