10 Year Anniversary - NL to UK

Let's step back in time, shall we? We go back to the early years of the new Millennium. My dad, who is a supervisor at a roller coaster company, worked at Fantasy Island in Skegness. He talked to a few managers, and heard that they were looking for people to work at the park during the Summer holiday. Dad came back home (Heerlen, the Netherlands), and told me that they were searching for people. I went 'hell yeah', and booked a trip to the UK. I spent two Summers at Fantasy Island, and I still cherish those moments. I think I spent my birthdays there too, and got absolutely slaughtered/hammered. And many more memories were made, but I'll keep them to myself, as not everything can be shared through the internet....

My love for the UK started then and there. I fell in love with the culture, the people, the food, and everything else. And back home, I would watch more and more British TV shows and films, and one of those shows was called 'Two Pints Of Lager And A Packet Of Crisps, Please'. It was on Comedy Central (in the Netherlands), and I basically saw Sheridan Smith, and fell in love. Wouldn't you agree? A young lad like myself, single, ready to mingle? Yeah, me neither. But you can still hope and dream, and maybe one day. That day never arrived, but what could have been?

Searching for more information on the trusted Google, I found a little 'fanclub' with some dedicated and die-hard fans of the show. I decided to join, and started chatting away with all these lovely people. Remember, these are the mid to late noughties, and this was considered normal. No bad blood, no harm, just fans of the show talking about each episode. And I felt comfortable with them. They probably felt the same, as they invited me to come over for a 2 Pints themed BBQ somewhere (I've forgotten the name of the place), and to then go and see the locations in Runcorn. Nothing lost, nothing gained: I made the journey to the UK and had a wonderful time. I met the people from the forum, and was pleasantly surprised that they weren't murderers or trying to steal my credit card (as the news would have you believe). They were passionate about the show, and so was I.

I then decided to, at a later stage, to come over and stay in a hotel somewhere (again, my memory has gone blank) and go and see a recording. Not a common thing here in the Netherlands, but I thought it was cool. I came over, stood outside the old BBC building with those from the forum, and one young lady stood there, with her mum, and she fell in love (that's what she says, not me!). Her name? Hayley. My future wife. I do think we also went to the pub after, where Sheridan actually gave me a kiss, but again, different times...

We went to a charity football match, and people who know me, know I genuinely despise football with a passion. But it was for free, and my friend Bryan took me and Hayley and Laura (another member of the forum). After the match, we met Ralf Little and even Danny Dyer, and the end of the day was near. But before Hayley got dropped off at her house and we drove off, she asked me (or told me) to add her on MSN, so we can chat. That was a memorable day, as it changed our lives.

We started talking, and remained in touch throughout the following months. We then decided to meet up again, me coming over to the UK, and that day we 'sealed the deal'. We basically got together and never left each other ever since. I don't think I even asked her if she wanted to be my girlfriend. She just was (and still is).

Before this story gets boring, I'm making sure I'll keep the relevant bits in it. We continued through the wonderful world of MSN, stayed online for hours on end, and even decided to continue on BBM (that was Blackberry's own messaging service). The amount of credit I've spent, is insane! (I did not have a contract, all prepaid). But I felt something. This girl was special. What we have is special. And we need to make it work. But it was difficult, living in different countries, having shit working hours (I used to work at a Total service station for 16 years). I tried for many years, sent out hundreds of applications, but none willing enough to even respond. I had a few responses and interviews, and even made the journey over for that interview, only to go back the same day, and continue on the nightshift straight after. Times were different.

I kept on applying for any job, and was even willing to work for a company who's sole purpose was to sell animal food. I lied during the interview, stating I loved animals, which I do, but I'm not a animal lover. I love animals if they are owned by others, but I would never have one. Christ, I had so many fish when I was younger, and they all perished (fish don't swim well in Red Bull).

I felt devastated, no one was willing to hire me. And I would not want to leave the comfort of my home with no job in sight. And I continued looking, until I found a job, to work at a car manufacturer's warranty department, in Luton. I was so lucky to have been given an interview, and it went all online, so that was an added bonus (no need to travel). The woman who asked me all these technical questions even shared some images of car parts, and asked me what they were. I had no clue, as I'm not a technician, nor could I see it properly, so she just signed it off as 'passed'. Months after I got hired, I was told that due to misinformation, they hired me, as they thought I had worked at a dealership, but we call petrol stations service stations. But it turned out, I was actually good at the job.

I moved over in 2016, on the 1st of March. Stopped all my payments and everything else (including rent), and rented a van for a few days, and chucked everything I had, in there. My dad joined me on this adventure, and the destination was North London, Southgate. I moved in with my wife, her mother, and her gran. Interesting times, to say the least. I was used to live on my own, have my own routine, and if I wanted to walk around butt naked, I could. But not anymore. I lived in a house with three women.

It was a blessing in disguise. I left my country, and moved into the country I always loved and adored. North London was amazing to me and my wife, and we've created many memories there. Working for the manufacturer was also amazing, even though they paid me little to nothing, I still made friends, and learned the trade, which came in handy later in life. But my health deteriorated, and my GP send me to the hospital to have my body checked. 50+ scans, ranging from the benign to the big boys, and it was only after the 51st scan at a different hospital, that my kidney had to be removed. At this stage I moved from one car brand to the next, as the one I worked for, moved country (Budapest or Bucharest, I can never remember). I didn't want to move with them, as I just made the move to the UK. So I jumped ship.

I was still in my probation, but they were kind enough to let me have my surgery, and determined as I was, the following week I was working from home, still recovering, but working. Life continued as normal, and we've spend many hours down the local pub, eating beer battered onion rings, and having the time of our lives. We were together, not separate anymore. And it was about time we tied the knot. We had to. Together since 2009 (met in 2008), so we decided to pick a date, and set it all in motion. But a little virus was going to put a downer on not just us, but the whole freaking world. The virus' name? COVID-19.

Obviously, we had to postpone the wedding, and we were not blessed to be furloughed. We were still working for the duration of COVID-19, but we were happy. Together, at home, side by side. But it aso gave us the opportunity to save up for our own place. The deposit came in handy, and we managed to put together a nice fund for our future home, wherever that would be.

But the wedding happened first. Family and friends came over, and we had a wonderful time at the Holiday Inn in Hemel Hempstead. But we were ready for the next chapter in our lives, and we went hunting for our own place. And we visited a few houses, but nothing really appealed. One evening, I went through my junk folder, and saw this email, and it was a new build in Stewartby. I clicked on it, and got asked to meet the people behind it all. On the day we met, they asked us to put a deposit down, otherwise it would have been sold. We did, and now we had to wait. Our house was still to be build, but it was going to be a new home, not a second hand one, not used. A new one.

We moved in, in 2022, and we finally had our own place. New memories to be made. A bit further out of London (where the wife works) and Epsom (where I work), but it was going to be so damn good. The house was decorated the way we wanted, and we had some amazing parties here. Even to this day do we have parties, and get absolutely hammered. That's who we are.

I found a job near where I live, literally 10 minutes driving, and decided to give it a go. Unfortunately it wasn't for me, an after a year and a bit, I went back to the previous employer, who welcomed me with open arms. So far, I've worked for three car manufacturer's, and all by a mistake, or some misunderstanding of the meaning 'service station'. I am so glad that this happened. Where would I have been without that first initial job?

I moved in 2016, just before Brexit happened. Obviously Brexit ain't pleasant, and whatever you voted for, i couldn't car less, as we are entitled to have our own opinions. But for those who emigrated from another country, it was hard to prove our willingness to contribute to the UK society. I did, and was given the permanent status (I am not leaving at all!). This obviously took a few years, but once I received the document, I knew: the UK is the place I'm living in, and will die in. I am not going back to the Netherlands, ever again.

I've met so many people over the years, Created so many great memories. And it has only been 10 years. Not many people will actually care, as their lives are also important. But this milestone for me, is certainly important. From being too nervous and not knowing if I would ever be in the country with the love of my life, to now never wanting to leave. I've now spent 25% of my life in a different country. It feels weird to state, but it is the truth.

Would I recommend it to anyone? Well, if you do it because of a romantic reason, I would say yes. Always follow your heart. Back in the early days, Skegness/Ingoldmells stole my heart, and has given it back to me the second I came back. And I feel blessed.

For all those I met on this journey which took 10 years, hello. For all those I will meet in the next decade, hello to you too! And for those we have lost over the years, we will meet again.

I hope this blog kept it interesting for you to read until the end. I've missed so many great memories, but at least you get the gist of the 10 years+. The UK has always been special to me, and will remain my home until my last breath. Which isn't to happen for at least another 60 years.

If you are planning on moving to the UK to follow your heart, please make sure you read up on all the information available. After Brexit, a lot of rules have changed, and it isn't as 'easy' as it was. It is certainly more challenging and difficult to make the crossing. But determination can create momentum, and once moving, there's no way of stopping you! It didn't stop me, and look where I'm at?

Fun side note to finish this blog with: I came over to Fantasy Island because of my dad being a supervisor (and he made both the Millennium coaster and the Odyssey), and now, less than 10 minutes walking, there will be a Universal theme park in 5 years time. What a coincidence, right? I'd be too old to work as a ride operator, but one can only dream??