What can I write here that can truly make justice to the immense happiness I feel right now?

I will do my best, although I don't think my grasp of English is good enough.

When this exchange started I had gotten some notice that my cook book gifter was on my case, stalking me and soon the gift was sent. Since I live near the arctic circle, in Northern Sweden - this package had quite a way to travel.

This week I've been down with a cold or a flu. I haven't moved much to be honest but when I got a notice in my post that a package was waiting for me... well, what can you do? Wait? No. Let fever stop you? No. Splitting headache? You know the answer.

I went down there today and tonight I finally opened it.

Packed in neatly with lots of those foamy worms were:

THE GREAT AMERICAN COOKBOOK - BY CLEMENTINE PADDLEFORD

a map, and a letter

First off, the letter was beautifully written, in it my gifter explained the reasons behind picking his gift and why he likes it so much (he even got himself a copy!)

Also, a map of how far away from each other we are. It was a cool thing to add and it just made the experience even more surreal.

This book is... amazing. I've already skimmed through it and feel like I could cook the hell out of it. With practice. I am ready to ditch Swedish plain fare cooking and focus on American from now on end. The book is also huge. I mention this to detail just how giving and generous my gifter is, it cost a fortune to send this beast. I really cannot tell you how much that means to me, that you'd go to that much trouble for me and this exchange.

My gifter, bmlbytes was also so kind as to message me beforehand and ask if there was anything special that I wanted from his part of the world, as he would add some treats. I had no idea what to say to that (I haven't really tried much American candy) so I said anything will be lovely.

I got:

Twizzlers Pay Day Oreos Mr Goodbar Hershey's Reese's cups

I've only ever tasted an oreo out of these. One. oreo.

I can't wait biting into these. Slowly. One here, one there. I will hide them and try to make them last for as long as I possibly can. My fiancé and son will never know where it went.

Ok, I am on some sort of cough medicine... I tried to take pictures and I should've slept hours ago. Sorry for anything confusing I've written.

Tack bmlbytes, du har en vän för livet.

You made my whole year.