free to be me

Hey.

Getting my driver’s license was a big deal.

Graduating from high school was a thrill.

Going to college was adventurous.

But when I went to Europe in May 2014, it became the greatest experience I’ve ever had in my life.

It’s hard to imagine that I actually did it. It feels like it was a dream.

I knew it would feel like this, though. I remember thinking, while I was over there, that it would all feel like a dream in a few months. But it HAPPENED. It did! And I have proof that I’d like to show you if you’d like to see.

What you’re about to see is a REAL story that REALLY happened. Any time I start to doubt that this actually happened, please feel free to ignore me and keep looking. Thanks.

Basically, my mom and I decided to visit my brother who lives in the Netherlands. And while we were at it, we just went ahead and planned a trip out of it.

On May 21, 2014, my mom and I hopped on a giganto plane and flew to Brussels, Belgium. The overnight flight was long and I think I slept like...2 hours? All I remember is waking up to the male flight attendant rolling his cart down the aisle, leaning down to the passenger saying, what I mistakenly heard, "would you like a meatloaf?" The sun was shining out of the plane window, but back in the states it was 2am. So, we gathered our things.

It was here that my brother picked us up in a rental car and we drove about 2 hours to a quaint little town called Brugge in Belgium.

My brother told me this is considered one of the most beautiful cities in Europe…and although I haven’t been many places, indeed, it sure was extraordinary.

Brugge, Belgium.
The fairytale land.

You can see the weather pretty good in this picture. It was cool and rainy most of the time. A rain jacket IS necessary.

Oh btw, may I introduce my mother?

Cathedrals. Never in my life have I felt so small.

There was a book in the cathedral where people were to write their immediate thoughts of being in the cathedral. Different languages, people all over the world wrote in it.

Magnificent.

Belgian waffles are the real deal. We got these from something like a food truck.

We would walk into stores and I would try my hardest to blend in. I would even say “Hah-lo” like the Dutch and they would believe me. Until they started talking to me more. Oops.

Man, they're sweet!

A large pasture of green luscious grass. How else would an individual enjoy such beauty?

My study grounds, if I could choose.

Brother lookin' like a dream boat!

Next stop: Lille, France.

Lille was a busy little town full of people. It had some modern buildings mixed in with the classic old buildings. Most people here, did not speak English at all. Again, we (I) tried best to blend in. I got by with a wee "oui" or "merci."

My brother, the chauffeur.

The opera house.

And we walked RIGHT into a book sale. Didn't even see it coming.

A little quiet art appreciation.

Lille Cathedral. Hey.

Rain. Rain. Rain. Rain. Rain.

Quiet escape.

Alley ways were my favorite things to take pictures of.

Real. Croissant.

Storm storm storm.

Next stop: The Hague, Netherlands.

View from my brother's rooftop.

At our friend Willem's house, listening to one of the many things my brother does best.

Willem and Hans. New friends. And a huge hot chocolate.

Willem's house.

One of the things that blessed me just as much as looking at a wonderful old building, was gathering with new friends to eat in their homes.

The view from Willem's living room. The Nieuwe Kerk, which holds the Redeemer International Church, my brother's (and Willem's) church.

Redeemer International Church at the Nieuwe Kerk. Never have I felt so loved and encouraged by people that don't know me at all. What a loving family this is...