Inge
My dear Mama,
Of all the articles I’ve ever written, you’ve been my biggest supporter — my loudest cheerleader.
But never before have you been the subject of my words.
Perhaps because no sentence, no paragraph, no page could ever capture the depth of love I feel for you.
Because how do you describe someone who gives without ever counting, who loves without limits, and who moves through the world with a joy that makes every room brighter?
You never put yourself first.
You are the most optimistic, most approachable, most alive person I know.
Someone who understands — deep in her soul — that we only get one life.
One that must be lived fully, fearlessly, joyfully.
Maar vandaag, op jouw verjaardag, ist es an der Zeit.
Today, it’s your turn to sit back and listen to the voices of your biggest fans —
the people whose lives you touch every single day.
Naomi
Ich liebe dein breites Lächeln, das einem sofort das Gefühl gibt, dass die Welt in Ordnung ist und man im Hier und Jetzt einfach Spaß haben kann.
(I love your wide smile — it instantly makes the world feel right and reminds us to enjoy the here and now.)
Mila
Ich mag an dir, dass es einer der schönsten Momente ist, wenn du an meiner Tür klingelst und hereinkommst – dann fühle ich, dass unsere Freundschaft trotz aller Entfernung und Zeit so tief und lebendig ist.
(One of the best moments is when you ring my doorbell and step inside — in that instant, I feel how alive and deep our friendship is, despite distance and time.)
Lynda
What I love most about you is your sincerity, honesty, and empathy.
I never have to be careful about what I say — you always assume the best in people, naturally.
Miranda
Bijzonder hoe onze vriendschap standhoudt tijdens de verschillende levensfasen waar we min of meer tegelijkertijd doorheen gaan — gescheiden door landsgrenzen, door oceanen.
Maar wat er ook gebeurt: het is zó fijn om dit hand in hand, naast elkaar, nog heel lang te blijven doen.
(Our friendship endures through all life’s phases — even as we’re separated by borders, even oceans. Whatever happens, it’s a joy to keep doing this side by side.)
Henri
Was ich am meisten an dir liebe, ist, dass du immer so lieb zu Menschen bist und immer hilfsbereit. Ich liebe es, dass du immer Lust auf ein Abenteuer hast und offen für Neues bist.
(What I love most about you is your kindness to people and how you’re always ready to help. I love that you’re always up for an adventure, open to the new and unexpected.)
Rudi
Deine Fähigkeit, mich zum Lachen zu bringen, zusammen mit deinem unerschütterlichen Optimismus, sind eine ständige Erinnerung daran, wie glücklich ich bin, dich als meine Frau zu haben.
(Your ability to make me laugh, along with your unshakable optimism, constantly reminds me how lucky I am to have you as my wife.)
And now, one more voice — mine again.
Mama, with every year that passes, your age may tick up by a number,
but your spirit refuses to play along.
You move through life like you move across a badminton court — quick, fearless, and full of laughter.
Vroeger schaamde ik me daar soms voor — je spontane buien, je eindeloze energie,
hoe je altijd net dat beetje anders was dan andere moeders.
Maar nu?
Now I see it for what it truly is: magic.
A fearless kind of joy that most people spend their whole lives chasing.
Du bist nicht nur meine Mutter, du bist meine Heldin.
(You’re not just my mother — you’re my hero.)
Thank you for showing me that life is meant to be lived with light feet,
a strong heart,
and a wild kind of love.
Happy birthday, lieve Mama.
I hope you never stop dancing through life the way only you can.
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