From a Swipe to a Lifetime
In the summer of 2019, a simple swipe on Tinder connected us, even though Patrice was in Dubai and Marnix was in the Netherlands. Our connection grew rapidly through weeks of chatting and video calls, and by January 2020, we finally met in person. It was the beginning of something extraordinary.
Throughout our long-distance relationship, we made the most of every moment. We celebrated our birthdays over video calls, dressing up and enjoying home-cooked dinners together, even from thousands of miles apart. We marked each month anniversary with virtual dates, sending flowers across continents and keeping our bond strong through these small, meaningful gestures.
When COVID-19 arrived, it unexpectedly gave us more time together. Marnix was able to work remotely, allowing for more frequent visits to Dubai. In 2022, another milestone was reached when the families of Marnix and Patrice met each other in Dubai!
After nearly three years of long-distance love, Patrice made the big move to the Netherlands, bringing her two cats, Luna and Nini, to join our little family.
In October 2023, we took our first trip to the Philippines together, where Marnix proposed to Patrice on the beautiful shore of Malcapuya Island, with her brother and sister there to witness the moment. We celebrated our civil marriage in January 2024, with a small group of loved ones in the Netherlands.
Our daughter, Evi, was born on June 27, 2024, adding even more joy to our family story. As we prepare for our destination wedding in June 2025, we’re excited to share this special celebration with all our friends and family, and to mark Evi’s first birthday during the festivities.
We can’t wait to create more beautiful memories with you all!