The Toe Saga, the Snore Olympics, and the 40,200-Piece Jigsaw
This summer, while J1 was in France and I was in the UK, we started the sweetest little ritual: emailing each other while apart. What began as a quick check-in turned into a string of love notes, jokes, and tiny life updates — each one making me feel closer to him, even across the miles.
It all kicked off with this gem, subject line and all:
From J1 (24 Aug):
“very important stuff do NOT ignore!!”
Hello! How are you?
I decided to email you because there is something important to tell you,
I love you!!
Well, it wasn’t that, it was I woke up this morning and my big toe on my left was hurting like crazy, so I went into the bathroom and at the front it was black and red at the top and super swollen and I could barely walk on it. BUT it clicked quite loud and immediately the swelling went down and it went back to normal.
I chatgpt’d it in the morning, and it turns out I apparently temporarily dislocated my big toe.
While sleeping…
How crazy is that?!
Anyway, I hope you are having a good time. I love youuuu!!! 💕
From your favourite with love,
J1
My reply (25 Aug, 6:05am):
Hello my little munchkin,
I am so glad you told me about your toe. How was the night? Did it happen again? Are you rested?
I was woken by your dad snoring like it was an Olympic sport. Of course, telling him will not resolve the issue as he will say I woke myself up snoring… so I’m bracing for a long day here.
Love you gazillions and some more too.
Mummy xxx
J1 (25 Aug, afternoon):
HELLOOOOO!!!
I saw your email and we went shopping at the outlet. I got Crocs (black, with 8 pins 😅). I’m being attacked by flies (mouchecus annoyingus) but my toe is fine now.
I slept on the floor again, my sock came off in the night, but didn’t notice until morning…
P.S. Dad wins gold in the Snore Olympics. 🥇
My reply (25 Aug, night):
Can I just say, I am loving reading your emails before I go to sleep <3 thank you, Monkey.
Today was productive — I made coffee, tackled paperwork, and tried not to berate myself for not finishing everything.
I’ve ordered you new school shoes — very skater vibe. Also: 3 ties, new lunchbox, white shirts, new trainers. We’ll sort trousers/blazers together. Only a few more days until you’re home! I miss you lots and lots.
All my love,
Mummy
J1 (26 Aug, morning):
Hello!!!
I love reading your emails too! Yesterday we walked past a Ravensburger shop — we saw a jigsaw with 40,200 pieces. (40,200 to be exact.)
What kind of wooden board do we need for THAT?!
We’re prepping for the journey tomorrow, I can’t wait to see you in Didcot!
From your favourite,
J1
My reply (26 Aug):
Hey Monkey,
Yesterday was super eventful — I’ll tell you all about it when we meet at the train station later. I can’t wait to see your little face.
I love you tons.
Mummy (also your favourite!)
P.S. We’d need a dining table the size of a football pitch for that jigsaw!!! Do you think we could possibly finish it together?
And there it is — a chain of love notes, jokes, and tiny life updates.
A temporarily dislocated toe, Olympic-level snoring, Crocs with pins, mosquito battles, school kit orders, and a jigsaw with 40,200 pieces.
One day, J1, if you read this back as your future self, I hope you smile the way I do now. I hope you remember that these little emails weren’t about the toe or the Crocs or the puzzles. They were about you letting me see your world, and me making sure you knew how much you are loved. Loads and gazillions more. Always.