“When you meet the one who changes the way your heart beats,
I’ve been staring at my screen for about 20 minutes now. Writing usually comes easy to me. Writing about one of your oldest and closest friends, on a public platform – apparently not that easy…
How do you tell the world what an incredible honour it is to capture the wedding of two beautiful people, without making it sound like a cliché? How I’ve known and loved Anja for a good ten years and how Guillaume instantly won my approval? I’m writing this post to my friends, so if you’re still reading and eager to see their photos, by all means, please scroll down.
Anja, I’m writing in English, just incase someone does decide to read this 😉 You won my heart, the moment I met you. Barely adults, innocently unaware of the heartaches lying ahead for us. I will always remember how we danced, the first night I met you. How your laugh becomes an addiction and how you always seem to understand and appreciate my humour – we both know it’s an acquired taste. How our friendship has grown over the years. From sending voice notes, in bars at 1am, or whenever we found “Tonight’s gonna be a good night”, playing in the background, to sharing a quiet moment on your wedding day.
How many times have I broken down in your arms? Or you in mine? You’ve dried endless tears, always have the right words, and even when you don’t, you have always managed to find a way to comfort me. How many times have we sat, literally unable to utter a word, through the laughter?
We have been through so much over the past ten years. From a long distance friendship, to living together, and then another long distance friendship. And somehow, whenever we speak or see one another, it’s as though were right back in Welgevonden, on our couch, drinking wine and talking about how silly boys are. We’ve outgrown the boys. You’ve grown into an incredible woman, entrepreneur, friend, and now, a wonderful wife. I am at a loss for words to describe my love and appreciation for you! I want to say “Thank you” in a thousand different languages, tell you how proud I am of all that you’ve overcome and wish you the most incredibly blessed birthday (and marriage) ahead. I love you.
Guillaume, yes, it’s your turn. You opened your house to me and welcomed me like an old friend. In those few short days that I lived with you (hey, we’ve all been roommates), I saw so many incredible qualities in you. I saw the way you love Anja, the way you laugh together. How you’ve become a team, a unit, and undoubtedly a force to be reckoned with. There is, and has never been, a doubt in my heart at how much you love her. How your relationship with God has washed over into your relationship with Anja. You are the most perfect, and amazing match for this incredible woman. Your love has woken and sparked something inside her, that I’ve never seen before. Your sense of adventure, appreciation for good music and a good laugh, has won my approval and admiration. You can stay!
You are one of the most incredible couples I know. Now, two, of my closest friends. Thank you for all the late night, wine-infused conversations, boat rides, for your support, love and all the laughter. And thank you for letting me witness and capture your big adventure. My heart is filled with endless joy to share these with you. I love you both!
Maryke xxx
