Dutch Family

The Girls!

Tea Time at the O'Henry Hotel

15 Years ago, I spent 2 months living in Eiendovhen, Holland with the Van Theil's!! It all started in '93 when a friend of my parent's asked them if they wanted to host a Dutch girl's visit, named Marijn. My mother had a few different exchange students stay with us when we were younger, but they were all French. Marijn was my age and my parents thought it would be so special to have her come over to stay with us. It wasn't long before she came over the pond to stay with my family!! We clicked imediately and had so much fun together. It has always been hard to find things to do with Marijn in GREENSBORING!! We took her to the beach,went swimming and lots of shopping :) She loved it here. So, a year later, I went by myself at 14 to stay with her family. She has two other brothers, Stein and Diedrick. My time over there was so memorable! I had my frist beer, an Amstel Light in a Pub watching the World Cup, and saw many things I had never seen before. I visited 5 countries while over there and Holland was my favorite! I love the countyside and the rolling plains of Tulips!! Windmills are everywhere and the scenery is to die for!! I would move there in a heartbeat, I'm serious! We biked EVERYWHERE and even to her school where all you would see were BIKES! No cars!! We rode to shop, play tennis, eat etc. This is why they laugh and make fun of Americans for being so fat! They litterally ride bikes everywhere! I think I lost 15 pounds during my visit!

Fast Forward 15 years later! We all say how horrible it is that it has been 15 years!! Definitly not waiting that long next time to visit! So, Marijn is married and 14 weeks preggo!! Marijn and her mother came to the States to visit Washington and they drove down to GBO for the weekend to stay with my parents. We had such an amazing visit!! It was story after story and shopping after more shopping, at Friendly Center of course. We probably spent 1.5 hours in Anthropology alone!! They have one in London but thats a plane ride for them. So, our time together ended way too fast!! I guess we're going to have to get a plane ticket in the next few years to Holland-OH DARN!! I cannot wait!!

Even though it had been 15 years, we all still feel so close-like family. I miss them a lot and have often thought about them over the years. We have kept up with each other through emails (post cards at first ;) ). Charlotte doesn't know it yet, but one day she will get the opportunity of a lifetime-to visit Marjin and her children in Holland. The same goes in Raleigh-we will get to host her children here. i cannot wait, although that will be a few years away :). Here are a few pictures from our visit. One more thing: they loved CC, of course and think she is going to be an actress one day!! She cannot stand not being the center of attention!!!!! ha