Seika Nagao was my sister's best friend from Japan. The girls met each other when they were 4-years-old attending ISSH (International School of Sacred Heart) in Tokyo, Japan. I can still picture them running around in their red-checkered smocks on the school playground.
The Nagao Family has always been incredibly kind to us - (Seika's mom, Chiho, and my mom also became good friends because of Seika & Liliane's friendship while I was just able to reap all the benefits) - and we were able to share many happy memories together including the birth of Seika's little brother, Hiroki and visiting each other in Japan, New York, as well as Naperville.
I know my sister was able to keep in touch with Seika at least up until high school and I remember our family receiving at least a few holiday cards from them over the years. I'm currently in the process of trying to get back in touch with the Nagao Family. (Really hope they don't mind that I've gone ahead and posted this without double- checking with them first!)
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(These pictures below were included in a mini photo album that Seika's mom gave to us as a parting gift when we left Japan in 2000.)
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One of the earliest emails I found in Liliane's Yahoo account. I guess I must have helped type this email out, seeing as my sister would have been only 6 at the time...
Dearest the Wu family,
Thank you so much for your message, Elaine! It's now 2:15AM here, and Seika
of course is now sleeping. Every morning when I take her to school and ask
her who she likes to play with in school, her answer is the same, "Liliane."
It's so sad for me to tell her that Liliane is not here and she has to find
someone else to play with. And you know, my mother, Seika's grandma, she
talks about you and your mommy a lot. My mother always tells me how Hiroki
would be happy if you were around to entertain him. He will be 1 year-old
soon, in January, and he started to walk already. He is very cute, and
people often mistake him as a baby girl. We will send his recent picture
with Seika, so you would know how he grew.
So, how is your school there? Your mommy told me you are doing great in math
(and I believe in all subjects, right?). Seika is emerging as a reader;
maybe a bit slow start, but she loves to read on her own, which makes me
really happy.
As for summer, yes, it would be great if we can visit you, so Liliane and
Seika can go to the same camp while we are there. In fact, Seika is already
counting the days she can meet Liliane again.
How are your mother and father doing? I'm sure they are happy to be back to
Chicago, enjoying their life and old friends.
We miss you and we'd love to see you again soon. You are always welcome
here, so plan to come visit us here with Liliane and your parents, too.
Love, C. Nagao
Thank you so much for your message, Elaine! It's now 2:15AM here, and Seika
of course is now sleeping. Every morning when I take her to school and ask
her who she likes to play with in school, her answer is the same, "Liliane."
It's so sad for me to tell her that Liliane is not here and she has to find
someone else to play with. And you know, my mother, Seika's grandma, she
talks about you and your mommy a lot. My mother always tells me how Hiroki
would be happy if you were around to entertain him. He will be 1 year-old
soon, in January, and he started to walk already. He is very cute, and
people often mistake him as a baby girl. We will send his recent picture
with Seika, so you would know how he grew.
So, how is your school there? Your mommy told me you are doing great in math
(and I believe in all subjects, right?). Seika is emerging as a reader;
maybe a bit slow start, but she loves to read on her own, which makes me
really happy.
As for summer, yes, it would be great if we can visit you, so Liliane and
Seika can go to the same camp while we are there. In fact, Seika is already
counting the days she can meet Liliane again.
How are your mother and father doing? I'm sure they are happy to be back to
Chicago, enjoying their life and old friends.
We miss you and we'd love to see you again soon. You are always welcome
here, so plan to come visit us here with Liliane and your parents, too.
Love, C. Nagao
Dear Liliane,
A Happy New Year!
Yes, I remember "granny nanny!"
I got a Science set from Santa. I'm playing with my daddy when he is at
home. It's like a magic, and is really fun. I think you will like it too.
What kind of game do you like on Gameboy?
I'm enjoying my school. I now play mostly with Aya and Maile.
Starting next week, I'm going to an acting school!
I miss you sooooooooooooooooooooooooo much.
your best friend
Seika
p.s. Dear May-Ling, I'm sorry for a long silence. I got sick last November
and had to see a cardiologist. It was scary when I had a pain in my heart; I
had to go through all kinds of tests. The doctor couldn't find anything
particularly serious, probably from lack of sleep and fatigue. I now try to
rest as much as I can, but still hard with two kids around (especially with
Hiroki).
To our surprise, Seika passed the audition for the junior division of the
most leading acting school in Japan. Her Japanese is becoming good, yet I
guess is not good enough to compete with the other native Japanese kids. So,
she is anxious but excited to start the lesson.
Please say hello to Elaine and Jim. Can you plan a trip to Tokyo this
summer? We really like to see you again soon. Love, Chiho
A Happy New Year!
Yes, I remember "granny nanny!"
I got a Science set from Santa. I'm playing with my daddy when he is at
home. It's like a magic, and is really fun. I think you will like it too.
What kind of game do you like on Gameboy?
I'm enjoying my school. I now play mostly with Aya and Maile.
Starting next week, I'm going to an acting school!
I miss you sooooooooooooooooooooooooo much.
your best friend
Seika
p.s. Dear May-Ling, I'm sorry for a long silence. I got sick last November
and had to see a cardiologist. It was scary when I had a pain in my heart; I
had to go through all kinds of tests. The doctor couldn't find anything
particularly serious, probably from lack of sleep and fatigue. I now try to
rest as much as I can, but still hard with two kids around (especially with
Hiroki).
To our surprise, Seika passed the audition for the junior division of the
most leading acting school in Japan. Her Japanese is becoming good, yet I
guess is not good enough to compete with the other native Japanese kids. So,
she is anxious but excited to start the lesson.
Please say hello to Elaine and Jim. Can you plan a trip to Tokyo this
summer? We really like to see you again soon. Love, Chiho
Dear Liliane,
I miss you sooooooooooooooooI amoooo much. I always think about you in my mind and wonder when you would come. really happy to hear about the good news about you coming back to Japan. On Saturday the 26th we are free from 4pm and on Sunday the 27th we are free the whole day. Let us now how you would like to spend the weekend. For example we can go to an indoor amusement park (Do you now Joypolis?) or Edo Onsen (a big public bath with games). We will all be looking ford to meeting you in Japan!
Love,
Seika Nagao
I miss you sooooooooooooooooI amoooo much. I always think about you in my mind and wonder when you would come. really happy to hear about the good news about you coming back to Japan. On Saturday the 26th we are free from 4pm and on Sunday the 27th we are free the whole day. Let us now how you would like to spend the weekend. For example we can go to an indoor amusement park (Do you now Joypolis?) or Edo Onsen (a big public bath with games). We will all be looking ford to meeting you in Japan!
Love,
Seika Nagao
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Liliane has always been really good at remembering dates - especially people's birthdays... (This email was sent 7 years after we moved back from Japan. Seika's birthday is technically March 14th, i.e. Pi Day, but I wonder if my sister sent this out a day earlier to account for the time difference.)
Dear Seika,
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!! YOU ARE NOW A TEENAGER!!!
I hope you have an awesome birthday with lots of wishes and fun!
I really, really miss you! Hope to see you soon!
Your best friend forever,
Liliane 
Such a beautiful friendship! I love that they kept in touch for so many years despite the long distance. The pictures are absolutely adorable too. Hope you get in touch with the Nagao family soon.
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