How is the Feeling to Meet Family You’ve Never Met [Part 3]

“What do you want to eat?” Jantje asked me while we seated in the food court. “Take it easy, okay, this is just a starter,” he added. 

I was like, “A starter? What’s that mean?” I couldn’t hide my widen eyes. 

“We’re going to eat the main later, so this is just the starter.” Jantje calmly replied to my question without even bothered with my widened eyes. I admit that I’m into eating, exceptionally I wrote about food also, but I schemed to keep myself composure while meeting them. Overeating would ruin everything. Moreover, I don’t eat a lot in one time meal; I always have a small portion (my small portion not European’s small part), but time after time.

“Maybe lasagna better, it’s not too much. I take that too. Are you okay with that?” He smiled and made me had nothing but a yes for that. “I hope it’s really not too much.” mumbling my way to my seat.

I’m still curious about what caught Jantje’s attention? 

We talked while waiting for the food. Jantje’s mom, Aunt Josye, introduced herself and Joon‘s mom, Aunt Louise, and the other one. My bad, I forget the name (I’ll ask later). Aunt Josye brought all old pictures with her to show it to me. I deeply touched by that. They really were trying hard to make everything easy for me to understand who they were and the relationship with my mom. That was so lovely.

Struggle with the European portion.

Food served not long after we shared a lot of laughter. And my awful feeling was real. It was the feeling that I still couldn’t compromise with the amount of food in Europe. Way too much! The taste was pleasant. It tasted heaven, but the size was too much for one person. I’m always grateful if I have a companion traveling Europe because I can share the big meal with my partner. The concern was, how can I finish one bowl of lasagna alone, not forget to mention the pan’s size? I admire all European for that. It’d going to take me eternity for that.

Jantje handed my lasagna and hot chocolate, “Enjoy Cindy!” I took it from him, put it down in front of me, looking deep into the lasagna, while thinking, ‘Gosh, what should I do with you? Should I just take away? Should I eat half here and half take away? Oh my God, why are you so big? Damn lasagna, why’d you ruin me now? Can I cry now?’ and I utter a sigh unconscious.

Eating and window shopping with aunts.

“Cindy, that’s okay if you can’t finish it.” Aunt Josye hold my hand while looking at me, trying to reassure me that it’s not a big deal. “Really?” I spilled that word surprised while thinking if she read my mind.

“Of course, enjoy what you can enjoy.” A smile I won’t forget from her that day. It was like my mom’s smile when she was trying to calm my mind and tell everything is okay. ‘Oh, I love this family.’ I whispered into my heart. It’s hard to say that this is a family you’ve never met.

Too nervous made me even forgot to take off my outer jacket, let alone the heat.

We finished eating, practically just stop eating because it was too much and we couldn’t finish all. I was so glad; I wasn’t the only one who thought it was too much. 

Walking around glanced over those discounts offered by shops made the lovely aunts decided to take a quick stop to check on something. But once you got your feet inside the shop, it wouldn’t stop there. We invaded more shops along the way. Sometimes it’s just a fun way t.o check on a discount without even buying it.

Tea Time with the family you’ve never met.

“Do you like to drink coffee or tea, Cindy?” Aunt Louise asked me. 

“Yes, why?” a short answer from me. 

“Then, let grabs some tea or coffee.” She cheerfully made a decision that I believe no one will turn down the offer. They talked in Dutch a bit and decided to visit the closest coffee shop around us. “Let’s try this, there are many people, it might be nice,” Jantje told us. A typical mindset, many people means there must be a good one inside.

We stepped inside and took a window spot, so we can enjoy the scenery while drinking tea. We shared a lot of stories about me, Jantje, even Joon. The small smiles which spread across my aunts’ faces told me they were having a good time like me.

Pardon my giant fingers LOL.

They gave me homemade cakes, Indonesian snacks, and something else. I’ve never thought they would gift me something, so it was overwhelming and heartwarming indeed. They asked to have another meal, but this time I need to turn it down because I definitely wouldn’t able to eat more.

“Let’s take some pictures to remind us about this day.” Aunt Josye pulled her phone and wanted to take a picture. 

“in the street?” I brush it out casually. “Yes, like Joon.” Jantje and I burst out laughing, heard her statement. “Sure. It would be nice.” 

Our lovely aunt Josye and aunt Louise

 The reluctant goodbye.

No matter how long we wanted to stay together. There is always time to say goodbye. After spending almost a whole day, we decided to end the family time. It took more than 1 hour to their city, so it would be better to end it early. 

They walked me until the tram shuttle, and wait for me. We hugged each other and did the three kisses of Dutch culture. “It seems you remember it, Cindy. Way to go!” Jantje’s smile spread across his face like he proud of me remembered what he told earlier.

“Next time you come, visit and stay in our house, okay!” A firm request from Aunt Louise made me nodded as I listen to my mom. We waved goodbye, and I got on the tram heading to my hostel.

Feeling to meet the family you’ve never met.

“I hope Amsterdam is sunnier today, so you’ll experience summer in Amsterdam; it’s much lovely when the sun is shining.” A text popped up, showing me Jantje’s name on it the next day after our family time.

My smile widened from reading those texts. “Thanks for the awesome day.” I wanted to write more, but I guess I was so speechless that I almost lost words to describe my feelings.

It was so overwhelming. I felt my anxiety before the meeting was for nothing. While I was trying hard to keep my composure stable, they made it like ‘we okay with just the way you are,’ which is adorable for a family I’ve never met.

Joon was trying to look fierce, let alone me

I met Joon again on the next day to retrieve my luggage from him, we stayed up half-day and chewing the rag while enjoying a cup of coffee in the peer of Amsterdam Central Station. What a nice feeling with the family you’ve never met. Oh well, this is my second meeting with Joon, though.

I see you when I see you.

My mom and I prepared to surprise them this year on a joint trip with Bwamtrip that supposed to be this month. All things ready, even the visa has approved. Yet, we plan God decides. The pandemic happened, and we had to canceled everything. I still remember the moment I gave her all things my aunts asked me to passed to her, my mom was crying like there is no tomorrow. 

Like I always say, life is quite humorous. Just when you thought you got everything figured out, it will still get you surprised. I believe someday my mom will meet her cousin just as I believe this pandemic will come to an end, and we will travel and learn again. For now, let’s just stay at home and travel from home. See you when I see you.