After the first two posts, there was a break from blogging for a couple of weeks, and the simple reason for this is that many of our friends and family members visited us in October. But what could fill you up more than being with those who are important to you? Isn't it? Especially when you're in a new country and they even come out here, just to meet you...
If you ask my completely honest opinion, I really like living here in the Netherlands, the first half of the year (now a little more) is going great. Renting an apartment in a very nice and family-friendly area, friendly neighborhood, open and friendly people. I have an easy time making connections, because through my children I got to know some fantastic other parents, with whom I feel good and always enjoy meeting. (I will write a separate post about this as well. )
But there are the old good friends and family members. Whom we cannot and do not want to replace.
Well, what can we deny, it is incredibly nice that many of them have already visited us in this first half of the year, some of them several times.
Let's start with the beginning of autumn. There was an expo from September 13-15, the first one I went to with my crocheted bags to introduce my business to a larger audience. It just so happened that two of my cousins - one with her little son, the other with her boyfriend - and an aunt of mine were coming to visit us.
It was a busy week for me and I was really excited about the exhibition, but the fact that they were here had such a positive impact on me that I didn't even know it beforehand. We also had time to see the city around here, and during the expo they had a special program for themselves, but we were always together in the evenings and that really filled me up. One day they even arranged for them to come to my place at the expo to see my booth.
But the evening before the expo is also memorable for me. I had finished crocheting a lot of bags, but the little things were still missing. I had to attach a patent to them, put the clasp on the strap, and not all of the bags had the logo on them.
After dinner, I found myself sitting on the parquet floor with the whole family, and everyone was doing their part to help me! We probably worked until 1 am when we finished. We were very tired, but also very happy. I don't know if they know how much this meant to me, but it's more than I can express. Not only that the bags had a patent and logo... but that they were here with me in this situation. They were here, from Hungary, together, with me...
Then my mom came, the third time since we've been here! This time with her partner, so they could see the city a little bit, since my mom always played with the kids the whole time when they were out. Of course, this is very good for us, I can be alone with my husband, and the kids love being with their grandma. I'm sure this system will stay in the long run, since we've always had a very close relationship at home.
October 16th is my birthday. My childhood best friend had been planning to come out for a long time to coincide with my birthday. (By the way, it was her second time here, which I'm really happy about!)
My husband went abroad during these days, we didn't know this in advance, but it turned out well that the two of us were here with the kids. During school hours, we always did some kind of program in the area, and in the evenings we talked for a long time and of course we laughed a lot about the old days.
She brought our old letters that we wrote to each other during class while we were really bored in school. We suspected that it would be a great experience to read, and it was!
She went to Rotterdam in 4 days, but on the day of her flight home, she came to my workplace as a surprise to say goodbye (oh yes, I work 16 hours, a post about that would be good too).
I really had to fight back the tears there.
Then one of my husband's sisters came with her partner, and two days later our friends with their two small children. As soon as we washed the sheets, the two groups followed one after the other.
There was also a program for young and old, city tours and great evening talks. We were even able to go on a Halloween walk together.
I was so happy that they were part of our lives here for a few days and I hope they felt just as good here as we were happy that they were here.
All in all, this is how our weeks looked from mid-September to October 30th.
I've been thinking about how I could tell them how great it was to be here. Each and every one of them
Maybe they'll read my blog and feel the same way we do.
That they planned and come here without regretting time, money, energy, or vacation days, just to meet us.
1300 km from home, this means a lot, I'm really just looking for the words to express it well.
If you're reading this, you all know that we love you and come to visit us here in the Netherlands very, very often!
So, that was the reason I did not posted for a few weeks, but I do not regret it at all, I think you all agree with it. :)
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