Travel with Per

Returning to Eskilstuna for my 35-year school reunion was a mix of excitement and nerves. Like the first day of school over again. Would I recognise anyone? Would we still have something in common after all these years? All those questions were buzzing in my head as I checked into my hotel. 

But the second I heard the familiar screech of tyres outside, all that melted away. Three of the girls from back in the day pulled up, piled out of the car, and came running over like not a single year had passed. Hugs, laughter, a bit of playful ribbing about how little – or how much – we had changed. Honestly, it felt like yesterday. Just vibes.

We headed over to the golf club for the main event, and what a night it was. The place was buzzing. All my worries melted away the moment I walked in. Old classmates everywhere, warm familiar smiles from faces I had not seen in decades. As soon as we started talking, it was like no time had passed at all. We laughed, shared stories and filled in the gaps of missing years.

There we were, a bunch of 50-somethings pretending we still had the moves from the 80’s. No regrets. We were teenagers again, even if just for one night. 

The night rolled on into the small hours. Laughter, hugs, promises not to leave it another three decades. Standing there, glass in hand, surrounded by people who shaped my younger self, I felt it deep down – this was special. A reminder that roots matter. That connections, even after years apart, can light you up in ways nothing else can.

Mixing in some History

But a reunion in Eskilstuna is more than just catching up; it’s about reconnecting with a city rich in history. Eskilstuna’s roots run deep in craftsmanship and industry. At the heart of that history lies the Rademachersmedjorna, a collection of preserved smithies from the 17th century. They are the legacy of Reinhold Rademacher, the man Gustav II Adolf brought from Riga to establish a blacksmithing community here. His vision laid the foundation for Eskilstuna as Sweden’s “steel town,” a place where skill, innovation, and hard work shaped not only metal but the very identity of the city.

Walking through those cobbled yards on the Sunday, I felt a strong connection between that history of forging iron and the spirit of our reunion. Just as the smiths of Eskilstuna shaped raw metal into something lasting, so too had our friendships been shaped – sometimes tested, sometimes forgotten, but always ready to be rekindled.

The night at the golf club reminded me that while time moves on, the bonds we forged in our youth still shine brightly. Eskilstuna gave us our roots, and reunions like this remind us how strong they remain.

It was an absolutely fabulous night which I will carry with me for a long time!