Our Story: The Easter That Sparked a Journey

It was Easter Saturday in 2007, in the Finnish town of Lappeenranta. I’d been out partying for two days straight, typical for me and my friends back then. I was flipping through some internet pages, trying to cover my hangover, when a single sentence brought my world to a halt. It was just a passing remark, almost innocent, yet it struck like lightning: “How can you celebrate Easter like that, don’t you understand what it is all about?” I paused, realizing I hadn’t given Easter much thought. I’d never considered this. Easter had always been just another holiday. This single question, though, changed everything. Suddenly, the world around me felt different, like I’d just seen it with fresh eyes. Grass was no longer just grass—it became this incredible creation, something I had to understand. I needed to find out who, or what, was behind it all.

That question clung to me, persisting even as I went back to my regular life, partying with friends. I couldn’t shake it, and I’d ask it at the oddest times, even in drunken conversations with strangers on the late-night bus. “Who or what has created all of this?”

I searched for answers in mindfulness and yoga, yet the more I sought, the more lost I felt. My confusion only deepened, as did the sense that life’s fleeting pleasures were hollow. Life seemed empty, without purpose. “We’re all going to die, so what’s the point?”

A Quiet Encounter in Helsinki

One freezing New Year’s Eve in 2012, while wandering through the streets of Helsinki, feeling like I’d hit rock bottom, a passerby handed me a small tract about Jesus Christ. No words exchanged—just a quiet moment of sharing. I went home, read that little leaflet, and found my answer: Jesus. Five years ago, I’d brushed against the truth, only to get lost along the way. But now, here He was, calling me, Almighty God, the beginning and the end, the Alpha and the Omega – Jesus Christ.

Faith, Family, and A New Chapter in Hungary

Shortly after, I met my wife, the love of my life, who shared that faith and brought a new kind of joy and peace to my journey. Together, we began a beautiful life, which has only grown richer as our children joined us, each of them adding new meaning to everything we do.

By 2023, our path led us from Finland to Hungary, a decision shaped by a desire to live our Christian values in a place that would allow our family to thrive. Now, here we are, building this little business, EsaShopia, which is more than just a store—it’s an expression of our love for family, faith, and the joy of gathering around the kitchen. Every item we share with you carries our passion and our purpose to live intentionally and with love.

Thank you for being a part of our journey. We hope the pieces you find here bring warmth, joy, and connection to your home, just as they have in ours.