Blog: Sara
It's amazing how life, and love, find their way!
The Zeeuws-Vlaanderen adventure started for me when I met my new colleagues at CAW Antwerp. There was one woman in particular with whom I immediately got along very well. After having a close friendship for quite some time, other feelings suddenly started to emerge over time. At that moment, I was living alone in a house I was still renovating in Kapellen, just north of Antwerp. She lived in Zeeuws-Vlaanderen and really enjoyed living there as well.
During the early phase of our relationship, we both regularly commuted back and forth. She to Kapellen and I, together with my dog, to Graauw. But then suddenly the coronavirus pandemic hit and even the borders closed. At that point, we had to make a choice about which country we would stay in until everything settled down. Fortunately, it wasn't a difficult choice. Over time, I had grown to love the peace and nature in Graauw more and more, and I already preferred being there over Kapellen anyway. So said, so done.
How nice is it that everyone you meet says 'hello'?
The love, both between us and my own for Zeeuws-Vlaanderen, only grew stronger. The beautiful sunsets, the wide open views, the peaceful walks, and certainly the warm people. How nice is it that everyone you meet says 'hello'? It sounds simple, but that's not exactly a habit in Belgium and it immediately creates a sense of warmth and connection. You hardly even have to make an effort for it.
Together with my girlfriend, I decided that we were sure of our choice and so we bought our house together. Because of the unique location of Zeeuws-Vlaanderen, it's special to live here. A house that used to be half a sheep barn, on top of a little dike, in the middle of the polder, with a view of a windmill and surrounded by animals and nature. As Zeeuws-Vlaanderen as it gets.
In the meantime, we've been living here happily for four years. We have nice, friendly neighbors scattered along the dike. I've made new friends who have completely welcomed me, and I even now work just five minutes away at a care farm. Because here in Zeeuws-Vlaanderen, there are jobs in all kinds of fields! It's amazing how life, and love, find their way.
