“When Life Surprises You: A Story of Friends and Togetherness”

The gate opened, and there came our neighbor, walking in with decorations on their head, holding candles, and singing the song: *“The night grows dark in stable and home. The sun has gone away, shadows loom…”*

Life is like a book, where each day gives us a new page to read. Some pages are predictable and calm, while others, like this day, surprise us with a chapter we never saw coming.

This was completely unexpected. My wife and I were just discussing whether to make an early dinner. Well, there was no time to think about that now. We suddenly had guests—our good friends and neighbors here in Spain. We quickly sat down to enjoy the video I managed to record on my phone after gathering my thoughts from the surprise of having our friends show up, dressed as Santa Lucia, and singing to us.

We are in Spain for Christmas. In fact, we’ve already been here for nearly three months and will stay through 2024. Our neighbors, who are also close friends, are staying here as well. Meanwhile, all our other friends in Spain have gone home to their countries to celebrate Christmas with their families. I say “down here” because we are originally from Norway, which is quite far north compared to Spain.

Our daughter, along with our two grandchildren and their father, will visit us for Christmas. We’re really looking forward to it—it’s going to be wonderful. Christmas is a time for family, after all. Unfortunately, our family is spread across Norway, so it’s rare for us to gather everyone together. The same is true for our neighbors, who will be spending Christmas Eve alone. Thankfully, they told us they’ll have two other couples visiting them afterward, which will make it feel a bit more festive.

A Surprising Lucia Visit

Now, back to the Lucia visit. It was Friday, December 13th, and up until then, the day had gone smoothly. Earlier that morning, we had reminded ourselves that it was Friday the 13th, traditionally thought of as an unlucky day.

But this day turned out to be anything but unlucky. Instead, it felt like a day of pure joy. Only here in Spain have we experienced friends or neighbors showing up at the door unannounced to surprise us. Back in Norway, this rarely happens. There, we always invite people in advance, but here in Spain, it’s reminiscent of the way things were when we were newlyweds. Back then, friends would knock on the door and ask if we were home.

We’ve talked many times about how sad it is that those traditions have faded away. Everyone seems so busy nowadays, maybe even more formal. But here in Spain, things are different. People live in the moment and take the time to connect with each other in ways we may have forgotten back in Norway.

This afternoon turned into a day filled with laughter, meaningful conversations, and a warm sense of togetherness. After watching the video together, we decided to improvise a small gathering. We set the table with coffee and treats, and the conversation flowed easily as we shared memories and stories from both Norway and our life here in Spain.

A Memorable Evening

The evening passed faster than we expected. Eventually, we moved out to the terrace, where we lit candles and wrapped ourselves in blankets to enjoy the crisp, starlit sky. It was one of those moments that reminded us how valuable it is to pause and simply be present.

After nearly six hours of wonderful company, our neighbors said their goodbyes and strolled home. Standing at the door, we watched them disappear into the darkness, still smiling from the evening’s events.

As we went back inside, it struck me how rare such moments are outside of holiday life. This was a day we hadn’t planned, but perhaps that’s exactly why it will stand out as one of the most memorable experiences of the year.

So simple, yet so meaningful. An unexpected visit turned an ordinary Friday into something truly special. These are the moments that make life richer—the small surprises that remind us of the value of connection, joy, and presence.

A Day to Remember

This Lucia visit will stay with us for a long time, not just for the experience itself but for the emotions it evoked. Like life itself, the best moments aren’t about perfection or planning. They’re about the small, spontaneous events that suddenly write a new, unexpected chapter in our book.