Sanni, a 27-year-old woman from Finland, has not spoken to her parents in a year despite them living in the same city. Her decision stems from a painful childhood marked by an alcoholic father and an emotionally distant family environment. Although they presented a facade of a perfect life – living in a luxurious house and showcasing happiness at family gatherings – the reality for Sanni was a tumultuous and unpredictable home life where emotions were suppressed and negative feelings were mocked.

Sanni recounts that as a child, she experienced a profound sense of loneliness and a yearning for parental affection and support that was never fulfilled. Her father's drinking created an atmosphere of uncertainty where she found herself worrying about potential conflicts at home. This constant state of anxiety shaped her childhood and left her feeling isolated even within her own family.

Now, one year after severing ties, Sanni expresses a desire for connection with parents in general but feels conflicted about her own. Her reflections highlight the complexities of familial relationships when underlying issues such as addiction and emotional neglect exist, illustrating the divergent realities that lie beneath a seemingly idyllic family exterior.