Hoera! Anne Turns 18, and Christmas Is Around the Corner!

Dear Friends,

This week, we're celebrating a big milestone: Anne's 18th birthday! Can you believe it? No matter where in the world you live, turning 18 is something truly special.

When we first came to the Netherlands, I was five months pregnant with Anne. I honestly thought it wouldn't be much different from South Africa — I arrived with hope, bright eyes, bushy tails, and baby dreams. How wrong I was!

I still remember my very first midwife appointment here. Back home in Sandton, I had only ever seen gynaecologists. I had my detailed birth plan ready, and my doctor's practice felt more like a spa. There was soft harp music, a friendly receptionist offering water, glossy magazines on the table, and everything felt calm and polished.

Then I arrived at the Dutch midwife's office. No smiling receptionist — just a handwritten note on the door that said, "Wait in the waiting room." The chairs looked like they had survived a few decades. No harp music. No harmony. Just me, my nerves, and a basic, fluorescent-lit waiting room.

The midwife, bless her, was older, strict, and not particularly friendly (to be fair, we didn't speak a word of Dutch at the time). She asked a few questions, ignored the "love letter" from my South African gynaecologist, didn't ask about vitamins or health, and simply said, "Lie down." Then she lifted my shirt, felt my belly, and pulled out a little Doppler to listen to Anne's heartbeat. I almost burst out laughing. I had gone from luxury and soft lighting to pure Dutch practicality in five minutes flat.

And yet, that was the start of something beautiful: a new life, a new country, and a baby girl who would grow into the amazing young woman we're celebrating today.

Now that Anne is in her final year of school, I often find myself feeling nostalgic. Sometimes I think my kids are missing out on some of the things we had growing up. I still remember my matriekjaar — the excitement started already in Standard 9. Planning the dress, borrowing black high heels, picking out the perfect wine-red fabric for my mom to sew the most beautiful gown. We even had hair trials and makeup sessions with friends until we felt ready for the big night. Those were such innocent, joyful days.

For our family, once the birthday candles are out — first Anne, then Paul in November — we know what's coming: the festive season! It feels wild to mention Christmas already, but if we at KuierKos don't start early, we can't guarantee your lekker Christmas!

So while we're celebrating birthdays, we're also back in the kitchen, rolling out our festive favourites. Our Christmas menu is live — packed with warmth, nostalgia, and that unmistakable KuierKos flavour.

Warm regards,

Marnella & Andreas