Mrs. Martin & Mr. Blohm – Episode Eight: Nothing good exists unless it is put into action.

Regina had already been living in Hamburg for six weeks. By early December, the first snow was falling. Since her arrival, she hadn’t seen the sun once, it was gray and often rainy.

In Munich, she could always escape to the Alps, where sunshine often broke through at the mountain peaks, or drive to Italy in just three hours to catch some light even in November. The further south you went, the better it got. But here in Hamburg, there was no escape. Sylt, Denmark, or the Netherlands—none of them promised better weather. The north of Germany was what it was: cold, gray, and damp.

During those six weeks, Regina often regretted her decision to move to Hamburg. Why hadn’t she stayed in Munich—or followed her first love, Miami? Instead, she had chosen Hamburg, and she doubted herself often.

Paul’s Visit

After six weeks, Paul came to visit her for the first time in Hamburg. Regina picked him up at the airport. She wasn’t exactly excited to see him again, but she had to admit, it felt good not to be so alone, to have a boyfriend by her side.

For the last six weeks, she had done nothing but work, trying to succeed in her new job. Evenings and weekends were spent searching for the right apartment. She already felt numb, almost disillusioned about her dream of living on the Alster. She had viewed 43 apartments, but none matched her vision.

Paul had made plans for Friday evening: dinner with a couple of his friends who lived in Eppendorf. He wanted to introduce Regina to them, a nice gesture to help her connect with people in Hamburg. Eppendorf was also an exclusive area, not directly on the Alster, but close enough.

The older couple, longtime friends of Paul, were delighted to see him again. Since they lived in Hamburg and he in Munich, they hadn’t been able to meet often. But now they hoped Paul would be in Hamburg more frequently because of his girlfriend, Regina. After catching up, they immediately said:
‘Paul, we have the perfect apartment for your girlfriend. Just a few blocks from here, a three-bedroom, top-floor condo with an amazing view and parquet floors. Perfect for the two of you!

Paul smiled, clearly pleased. They asked Regina if she’d like to see the apartment right away. She asked about the rent. When she heard the amount, she knew instantly it was far beyond her budget. She politely declined:
“Maybe another time, but not today.”

As they drove back, Paul asked:
“Why didn’t you want to see the apartment my friends recommended?”

Regina looked into his soft, plush eyes and answered:
“Because it’s not in my budget, Paul. And you know that.”

She felt as though he had only introduced her to his friends to steer her toward this particular condo, one of Paul’s own “second homes” in Hamburg.

Back at her boarding apartment, Paul pulled her into his arms and whispered:
“Regina, you know I can support you with the rent. Don’t worry, I’ll be there for you. We could live together, and the three-bedroom would be perfect. Eppendorf is wonderful, and it’s just five minutes from the Alster.”

Tears welled up in Regina’s eyes.
“Paul, are you not listening to me? I don’t want your support. And I don’t want to live five minutes away from the Alster, I want to live on the Alster.”

Oddly enough, she felt good being so clear, even if she didn’t fully believe in her dream anymore of finding her dream condo on the Alster. Six weeks had already passed, and nothing came close to her vision, just like the wedding dress dream, still boxed away. Disillusion was creeping in, but at least she had voiced her goal.

Paul held her again and said gently:
“Regina, you can still look at the condo next week. Maybe you’ll see things differently.”

That weekend in Hamburg was unremarkable, almost tense. They circled around each other like two people with completely different goals.

The Fax

A few days after Paul left, Regina received a fax at her showroom in Hamburg. Yes, even in 2004 people still sent faxes in Germany. It read just one sentence:

“Do you want to marry me?”

Regina couldn’t believe what she was reading. She was touched, so moved she didn’t even pause. Almost immediately, she faxed back one word:

“Yes.”

Still in shock, she stared at her response. Paul hadn’t even signed his name, but the sender line showed the publishing house where he worked. Who else could it be?

Her thoughts were interrupted by a phone call.

It was her mother, Mutschko.
“Hello Regina, how are you doing? I need to know about your Christmas plans. Will you and Paul come to me? Or will we celebrate at Paul’s home? Is Annabel coming? What’s the plan?”

Regina wanted to shout out the news, that Paul had proposed. But she didn’t. Not over the phone she thought. It felt too unreal. She was engaged so suddenly. She hadn’t expected it, nor her immediate “yes.” Everything still felt bizarre.

Maybe distance really was the key to their relationship. Surprisingly Paul was so serious. He wanted her as his wife. Even if it wasn’t said in person, written words carried their own weight.

The thought that her wedding dress would finally see the light of day after four years hidden in a box in her closet made her happy. She also thought again of Paul’s friends’ condo. As a married couple, wouldn’t it be natural to share a home? Maybe it didn’t have to be the Alster anymore.

Her mind drifted back to her favorite jewelry shop in Munich, Geträumte Taten (Dreamed Deeds). They created only handmade, one-of-a-kind pieces: rings, candlesticks, plates, cups, even magical snow globes that showed different seasons when shaken. Regina had always pointed out a unique ring she loved. She had made sure Paul knew, that would be the one, if the day ever came.

Now, under these new circumstances, she replied to her mother with unusual excitement:
“Yes, yes, we’ll celebrate at Paul’s condo. All together like a family, with Annabel, his daughter’s mother and her boyfriend. A real patchwork family. It will be wonderful, you’ll see, Mutschko.”

Her mother was surprised, her daughter sounded unusually enthusiastic. She knew how fragile the relationship with Paul had always been. Still, she was relieved. At least she would spend Christmas with her daughter, Regina, and that was what mattered most to Regina’s mother.”

Munich Again

Two weeks later, Regina arrived in Munich. Mid-December, and unlike Hamburg, the sun was shining. She took it as a sign again.

Paul picked her up at the airport, and she flew into his arms. He held her tightly,relieved and proud. Regina read into his embrace what she wanted to believe: Now they were engaged. Even if neither of them spoke about the engagement fax.

Paul drove his Porsche through familiar streets toward his condo near the Viktualienmarkt. Nothing seemed to have changed in seven weeks. The only difference, Regina reminded herself, was that they were engaged.

During her five days in Munich, Regina attended the La Perla Christmas dinner, a few business meetings, met friends, and strolled through Christmas markets with Paul. But not once did he mention the proposal. No ring. No wedding talk. Nothing.

When he dropped her at the airport, she thought perhaps he had hidden the ring in her luggage, as a surprise for when she unpacked in Hamburg. But when she opened her suitcase, there was nothing. She searched every corner, disappointed.

The silence around their engagement left her very uncertain.

Strangely, she told no one. Not her friends, not even Elena. Normally, Regina would have shouted such news from the rooftops, with joy and a glass of her favorite Prosecco. But something held her back. It didn’t feel right.

The Snow Globe

Regina arrived a few days early to prepare everything at Paul’s condo. Together with Annabel, her mother, and Paul’s daughter’s mother and boyfriend, they celebrated as a patchwork family.

Regina gave her best—decorating the tree with real candles and red-and-green ornaments, preparing the classic Christmas goose dinner, and setting the scene perfectly. She was proud to be Paul’s future wife and wanted all the family members to feel comfortable and know they could count on her.

Before the meal, it was time for presents. Paul handed her a large red package. Far too big for a ring, Regina thought, but her heart was racing anyway. Perhaps a small box was hidden inside the big red package. When Regina held it, the weight felt odd—too heavy for jewelry. Maybe Paul had filled the box with stones to fool her. He could be playful like that.

Her mother and the others leaned in curiously. Regina tore away the wrapping. The logo on the box made her catch her breath: Geträumte Taten. ( Dreamed deeds )  Her favorite jeweler in Munich.

It had to be the ring. Finally.

She opened the box.

Inside was… a snow globe. A winter scene, very beautifully crafted.

Regina froze. Speechless.

Paul whispered proudly:
“They didn’t have your ring anymore, so I chose this instead. I remember you liked it when we visited. See? I know what you like.”

He smiled, confident, as though he had done something wonderful.

Regina didn’t know what to say. A snow globe instead of an engagement ring. She smiled faintly, pretending, like him, that everything was as it should be. For the rest of Christmas, neither of them mentioned the Engagement with one single word.

The Silent New Year 2004/2005

They celebrated with Paul’s friends at a large party. For Regina, all strangers. She felt like she was under glass, sealed off from herself.

At midnight, glasses clinked with the wrong kind of bubbles, Paul kissed her.
“Happy New Year, Regina.”

Nothing more.

No ring. No talk of a wedding. No acknowledgment of the engagement fax or her ‘Yes’ in response.

The Finial Drop

On January 1st, 2005, Regina returned to Hamburg. Work started the very next day. She told herself that Paul would explain later why he had never proposed in person and hadn’t mentioned anything since. Maybe he was waiting for the right moment, but what moment was that? She kept finding excuses for him, unwilling to face the truth.

Two weeks later, after a business trip to Bologna, Regina landed in Munich once again. This time, rain poured down, a bad sign, she thought, as her phone rang

It was Paul.
“Dear Regina, I’m so sorry. I can’t pick you up from the airport. I’m on deadline for an important story, 10 pm tonight. Please just take a taxi to my place. We’ll meet there.”

Standing in the rain, she froze. He had played tennis at lunch, but couldn’t pick her up now? Always, everything came before her. Still, not one word about marriage.

Her eyes filled with tears. The snow globe flashed before her eyes. The fax. The silence.

Suddenly she knew this was it.

She called her best friend Elena, from the airport.

‘Elena, it’s over. I will break up with Paul forever. Please, tell me you have no plans this weekend. I need you. Please come pick me up at the airport. Let’s go to the Alps. I need sun, fresh air, and I need you

Elena didn’t hesitate, a true friend. She drove straight to the airport, wrapped Regina in her arms, and together they went to the charming Austrian village of Kitzbühel, near Salzburg, to the famous wellness hotel Stanglwirt. Surrounded by mountains, Regina poured her heart out to Elena. Elena listened, patiently and steady, stunned by the fax proposal she had not known about. She supported Regina as best as she could, but also warned her:

‘It won’t be easy to separate, Regina, you know that. You still have things at Paul’s place, and you only have two weeks left to find your own apartment in Hamburg that fits your budget. But if you’re serious, you must follow through. You’ve gone back and forth with Paul too many times, this time it has to end forever

Meanwhile, Mr. Blohm…

Mr. Blohm was settling into his new condo. His divorce was behind him, and life was opening again. Dates lined up, admirers around him, he felt like the cock of the walk.

His career at a Swedish company producing uniforms for police, gas stations, and airlines was thriving. Work took him often to Sweden, where he adored the tall, blond, blue-eyed women, his type exactly.

Mr. Blohm felt absolutely happy again. He was free.

🍾 Pour yourself a glass of Mr or Mrs SYLTBAR and enjoy the ride!