The Bride and Groom

The love story

How they met

The story began in the most unexpected way. They were both at a point in their lives where they were open to new experiences and meeting new people. Their paths crossed in the beautiful city called Bussum, the city where Phenny lived at the time. Being a very adventurous woman who loves traveling, exploring, learning new languages, and having a love for wine, Phenny ended up in a beautiful restaurant called Café d’Oude BRINK. That's where Phenny and Martin met.

Phenny: "I remember it like it was yesterday, he was sitting semi-inside and I had just entered the restaurant. While seated, enjoying a glass of wine and minding my own business, he approached me and his exact words were:"

Martin: “Oh wat heb je mooie ogen”
Phenny: “Oh thank you”
Martin: “Ahh, English?”
Phenny: “Haha, yes”

A spark

They ended up sitting together, and from their first conversation, there was an undeniable spark. They bonded over their shared interests, sense of humor, and love for wine of course. Later that day, they exchanged Instagram handles, and then Martin asked for Phenny her number. At that time neither of them were looking for any relationship apart from being friends. That year in August, Phenny left the Netherlands to go on holiday in Italy with friends. Since Martin was Phenny her new friend, Phenny, of course, told Martin that she was going away on a holiday, and boy, oh boy, did he look sad! Haha.

After returning from Italy, Martin insisted on showing Phenny around The Netherlands. Slowly but surely, Phenny her love for The Netherlands began to grow. Martin and Phenny used to talk a lot, and eventually, Martin started calling Phenny names like Babe, Lieverd, and My Queen. Being a proud African woman, Phenny told him to stop. He replied with, "Oh, but I thought we were dating now." Phenny laughed very hard and told him: "Listen, I find you attractive and all, but where I come from, you need to ask me to be your girlfriend."

Making it official

And guys, this man did just that. Half a year later, Martin traveled to Maastricht (another beautiful city two and a half hours away from me), and they drove off together to a beautiful castle called Ruinetoren van Lichtenberg. On that day, he asked Phenny to be his girlfriend (See photo below).

Two years later, Phenny went home to Namibia for the holidays, and Martin decided to join as well. Phenny showed him around Namibia, and Martin loved it. Although it wasn’t his first time in Namibia, Martin had been to Namibia years before they knew each other and he had already fallen in love with the country. During their time in Namibia Martin also met Phenny her family and friends.

Sealing the deal

From the first day Martin met Phenny, he knew she was THE ONE, although it took some time to convince her. Because Phenny wasn’t up for dating anyone at that time. But as time went by they became inseparable and their relationship got stronger.

Eventually they started talking about individual future goals, marriage and life in general. In Martin's mind he already started planning the proposal. But one day, Martin asked her what her ideal engagement proposal would look like, and she said she didn’t really mind how it would be, but she definitely wanted her sisters and parents to be there to experience it. Martin's complete plan was to propose to Phenny in The Netherlands, but when she said that, he thought to himself “how am I gonna get her whole family to The Netherlands for this day”, so he had to come up with a new plan.

From then on Martin kept talking about going to Namibia for the holiday together and pushing to buy tickets. Months later, Phenny told me she was going home to Namibia for the holidays, this was the best moment to do it. JACKPOT!!!

On the 27th of February 2024, Martin travelled to Namibia (Phenny was already there) and contacted Phenny her sisters to help him plan the whole surprise proposal and to meet with Mr Katanga to ask for his daughter's hand in marriage. On the 3rd of March was the big day and Martin asked Phenny to marry him with friends and family around and she said YES!!!!!!!!! #BESTDAYOFMYLIFE#

Forever together

Four years later, here we are about to walk down the aisle and say "I DO" to each other.