A Celebration of Legacy & Love: Ruth Van Reken’s 80th Birthday!
It’s been a full and inspiring few months, including a long business trip to the U.S. One of the absolute highlights was celebrating Ruth Van Reken’s 80th birthday at the FIGT 2025 Global Gathering in Chicago. Ruth is a pioneer in the expat field and first brought attention to the challenges faced by third culture kids (TCKs) in her seminal book with Dave Pollock on the subject.
Surrounded by family – including her 13 grandchildren! – and her professional “family,” Ruth was honoured with such love and gratitude. For me, it was the embodiment of a blessed life: meaningful gatherings, deep relationships, and an incredible legacy. She is the legend who started it all!
I also had the honour of contributing to Letters Now Sent, Volume 1, a collaborative book created by TCK consultant Megan C. Norton-Newbanks especially for Ruth’s 80th. It’s a moving collection of real, heartfelt letters written by and to individuals who have lived cross-culturally – a response to Ruth’s seminal book Letters Never Sent, where she explored her identity and losses as a TCK and adult TCK. My own letter was addressed directly to Ruth, whose work and presence have deeply shaped my life… and the lives of so many in the FIGT community.
Ruth’s celebration reminded me how one life can touch countless others. Whose kindness or wisdom are you grateful for this week?
