Dear Gabby Petito,

I had never heard of you until last night, but suddenly I can think of little else but you. I’m flying through your Instagram account (741,000 followers) and it looks like a fantasy. Not the American dream, but the dream of every young woman. Travelling the world in our tiny van is your subtitle, that it’s better to be bitten by mosquitoes than to be brainwashed by the media, who are your friend.

I’m sorry, but I shiver when I write the word ‘friend’ and refer to Brian Laundrie, the boy who until a week ago was the embodiment of chosen freedom.

How beautiful was America, how romantic your life. Cruising together in a van through your beautiful country. Stringing together a chain of likes, entertaining people with your adventure, sniffing each other and discovering each other to be sure he is the one. Because living together was the next dot on your infinite horizon.

Suddenly there was silence on the accounts and commotion in the media. Arguments. Even police intervention. Then Brian came home alone and refused to let a word roll off his lips.

And now this. Your body found by the FBI. Your spirit hopefully traveling further to a world where only love resides.

That the Instagram world does not give a real image of reality, that seems not everyone knows. But that your story should make us realize that, I find of unbearable sadness.

Image: Instagram @gabspetito