Since planning our April 2023 wedding and upcoming move to Japan in September, life’s been a whirlwind. Because the start date kept being pushed back, initially to July 1, we arranged everything at breakneck speed. It seemed impossible, but we did it!
Getting married and emigrating
In mid-January we personally called every guest at the wedding to ask them to attend our wedding in April. We told them that not only love was the reason for this unexpected news, but also that we would emigrate to Japan this year. To our great joy, everyone was able to attend!
Pre-honeymoon trip to South Africa
In February we went on a wonderful trip to South Africa, but at the same time we also started to prepare for what was to come. From making invitations to selecting the location, from trying on and measuring rings to conversations with the official; in a few weeks we planned a small intimate wedding.
April 15, 2023
And then the time had come! On one of the first beautiful spring days in April we said a resounding “YES” to each other in a greenhouse of a vineyard in Noordwijk called Lidrusgaarde Noordwijk. It was a wonderful day with our family and friends, a day we will never forget.
Still on safari at the last minute
Even though we thought we no longer had time for a honeymoon, we boarded a plane to South Africa two months later. In one week we traveled from Johannesburg to the top of the Kruger Park and thoroughly enjoyed it.
There is no such thing as saying goodbye
After weeks full of visits from friends, wonderful moments with family, my birthday and many farewell parties, it was suddenly September. My last day of work had passed, the cars had been sold, and the house had been rented. Slowly our apartment became emptier and our list became shorter. Thomas left two weeks before me to start up in Japan, while I completed the last things in the Netherlands.
Time to go
On Monday, September 11, my mother took me to Schiphol, where I was then waved goodbye by the rest of the family. And off I went, from here all the way to Tokyo!
Here you can read more about my Japanese adventures.
