Xi Jinping and his four-decade bond with Iowan friends

Thomas and Eleanor Dvorchak, who had moved to Florida, made a special trip back. Xi recognized the couple the moment he saw them and shared his memories of his stay at the Dvorchaks.

"You were the first group of Americans I came into contact with," Xi told his Iowa friends. "To me, you are America."

Lande compiled their stories into a memoir titled Old Friends: The Xi Jinping-Iowa Story, which was published in 2018. Upon learning about Lande's book project, Xi sent some of his own photos.

Another reunion of these old friends occurred in 2023 when Xi visited San Francisco for the APEC leaders' meeting. When Xi saw Gary, son of the Dvorchaks, he said, "I stayed in your room and remember the sweatshirts and ball gear there."