I often say that you can tell when Satu is upset because nothing about her changes, not a raised eyebrow or a sigh. There is definitely stress though. This month Satu got a promotion and is now the Manager of her store. I quit my job with out really having a plan and won't start work again until next week. We have basically been trying to keep eachother calm and distracted the whole month.
Satu is a champion. Even though it must have been scary for her, she encouraged me to quit because she doesn't think I should have to apologize for having opinions or doing what is right as a leader. She was fiery about that, which is to say that she talked sternly in her regular voice and displayed no other notable change in demeanor.
Here are some other Satu only reactions to the outside world:
If she disagrees or thinks she might disagree, she will either say "Huh." with a slight upward inflection or just a maybe and then change the subject.
When Satu is really upset, she usually just walks into the bathroom or bedroom and will not be seen until after she has put the heavy iron lid on that.
When Satu is delighted, she may just chuckle quietly, she may swallow that laughter letting out only a tiny, barely perceptible smile, or lately, she has been expressing it by playing cheesy 80's music.
If she feels lonely, she will watch a dreary British mystery and send me a text just to say "hi baby." I check my phone all the time for a little hello, and whenever I get one, even after 10 years, it makes my heart jump.
When Satu, is cold or hungry, well... she's always cold, but when she's hungry, she just forgets where she put things. She doesn't get cranky like most people. She just soldiers on and handles things.
Satu has a full, deep and varied emotional life, but she's private about it. It's not anyone's business anyway.
The one thing Satu is never secretive about is how much she loves me. Over the years, she has learned to stop and hug me and pat me and remind me that she loves me so that I never have to guess. I love her openly, and she loves me back with her arms open, a smile on her face and with every word that she speaks to me.
