Who doesn’t enjoy reading a love story? I know I do. Most of the time though, today’s love stories are built on obvious endings and twists and turns that the reader can see coming right from the first chapter. I admit, it is always a good feeling when the book goes exactly the way you want it to, but what if, for once, the story you read was unexpected and based on a true story about a young Dutch man, his thirteen other brothers and sisters, and a historically noted migration to Australia. Would you be interested in opening that book up?

For years, I had sat in my grandfather’s living room, cup of tea in hand, and carefully listened to numerous incredible stories about his life growing up as a child in Amsterdam during the World War. He faced devastating financial hurdles, battled -10-degree winters, lived on potato skins, and did anything he could to help his family survive the harshest of realities. Most importantly, he always found a way for him and his brother to get up to mischief. Hearing these stories, my family would all laugh together, shake our heads at his naughty behaviour and then head home in delight from the history that surrounded our family name. I soon realised it was time to record all these memories, not just on paper, but record both the reminiscences of my grandfather and grandmother as they shared their astounding history. For, I had listened not just to my grandfather’s interesting accounts, but those of my grandmother, as well.

My grandmother was taken away from her family for months during the World War, lived on a remote farm, and had to hide food underneath her pillow as often as she could, in case it was days until her next meal. She didn’t see her family for months on end and had no contact with them unless they visited her when it was safe to do so. Years later, my grandparents met in an unexpected place, fell in love, and moved across the world to Australia together, where they both spoke little English and had to build a new life from scratch. This is the story of Hendrika and Gerard—two people who are still so in love despite the challenges they have faced. It is an incredible true story that I hope you enjoy.