Dear mom and dad

I've been thinking of a thousand words to write to you.
It is midnight and I am tired but too loaded with thoughts to go to sleep. So I write again.
And now it is to you.

I've just ended one of the many peaceful but strong late night conversations with dad and after every such treasured moment I realize how lucky I am. Every single time I get overflowed by thankfulness and security. It is something I really need to find my way in this jungle people call the world.
And the people of that world often tell me how wonderful my parents are. And I tell them they are right and as I do, that same little happy thankfulness fairy comes fluttering by, just to sit on my shoulder, saying nothing, just smiling proudly. And I realize that I never tell you that.

You always give me wisdom and I honestly can't wait to watch you at 90 years old, sitting in your rocking chair, listening to that same wisdom song. Completing each other and us, my brothers and I.
I am imagining and feeling a little butterfly in my tummy doing it.

Thank you for holding me, carrying me when I was little,
thank you for coming with me into my world of imagination and overly unrealistic stories,
thank you for listening to my little girl problems,
thank you for holding my fiddlestick so I could learn how to hold my fingers on my very first violin,
thank you for being home every single time we got home from school so you could listen to our adventures,
thank you for letting me have my phases,
thank you for encouraging me in everything that I do,
thank you for letting me experience every single emotion there is to feel,
thank you for holding my hands on both sides when I had that horrible first year of college,
thank you for helping me clean my (artistic) messy room,
thank you for listening to puberal boy dramas and for letting me have the tears and hugs when I needed them,
thank you for driving to Ghent every single week or even day to comfort me because yet again the teachers at the art graduate school put me and my photography down big time,
thank you for listening to my big girl problems,
thank you for dragging me through my first breakup with all the love you had in you,
thank you for letting me disappear for a while, just as long as I needed to,
thank you for being there when I am lonely,
thank you for letting me find the artist, collector and dreamer that seems to be me,
thank you for listening to my rambling and fascination about this beautiful boy I met,
thank you for accepting the love, my love that he is today,
thank you for being my greatest example.

Thank you for loving me and being there every single time and more.

God damnit, I love you.

Lots of love,
Tineke

Elisa

Model: Elisa Raman

Note to self: Put way more depth and story in photography. Phew, Oke. 

My favourite people on the internet

I write and I love to write.
I love photographing for myself and my blog and I feel content when I can pour my heart out.
But I also like to blog lightly. Tell things about myself, what I love and how life is. I'm like a mix between Zoella and Nirrimi. Two of my favourite people I discovered in the big world of the internet. So why not share more? These beautiful people listed down below have each had an impact on my life or brought joy to my days.

Zoella

Or Zoe Sugg. A bright young lady not much older than me (I believe she is 25 now). 

I am drawn to her playfulness and spirit (and the fact that she is british only adds up). Although she suffers from anxiety, she seems to be handling it like a pro and she's inspirational to many kids and young adults out there. That is the impression I get when I see her videos and read her blog. Of course I don't really know her or how she feels, but she does inspire me to come out of my comfort zone (with me that is one step at a time, but hey, I'm getting there). Her character seems to be similar to mine in some ways, and I love that. Also, dear Zoe, I love reading your books and the meaning behind them. 

Lindsey Stirling

This girl caught my attention many years ago. Back then I was very into my own violin and she was an inspiration. When I fully threw myself into my photography passion my violin got a bit sadly forgotten. But it's mine and will always be mine. And I will keep playing it. Sometimes more that other times. But that's oke. I think this very lovable person will stick around as well. And I've got to say, I love her style. 

Daily Bumps

(photo by Chrystal Cienfuegos)

A simple family sharing their love and life with the world. They have a youtube channel and always seem to cheer me up with their daily vlogs. Their unconditional love for each other and the cute adventures they have really make me smile. Also, they just had their second child. It is just so fun to see people (and god damn cute children) grow. For me, their channel is my daily relaxation moment. Ah, the sweetness!

Nirrimi Joy Firebrace

The girl on the left, Nirrimi, stole my heart also many years ago. I can't remember how long I have been following her. One side of me feels similar to Zoe, while the other feels so similar to Nirrimi. It is hard to explain and although I am totally different from these two souls (thank god, my goal is to be as unique in this beautiful world as possible) I can't help but be overflowed by this feeling. It is comforting in a way. Nirrimi is a photographer, writer, blogger and over all artist. Her stories are one of the few I always entirely read with joy. Her writing and photographs are things I always look forward to. This girl influenced me in my photography, writing and the way I look at life. I would say mostly that last.

I now realize that even though I've never met one of these people, I am thankful to know them in a superficial way. It's important to surround yourself with people full of life and optimism. Even on the internet.
I think I just wrote a new years resolution.

Lots of love.