‘When I saw her, I was happier than I had felt in a long time’

‘Haven’t I met you before somewhere?’ That must be the most cliché opening line in the history of dating but, in Manon and Edwin’s case, it was more than appropriate. During their studies, the two had come across each other regularly in the University Library and on nights out in Tilburg, but they had never actually met. “I thought she was out of my league and did not have the guts to approach her then,” Edwin admits. “Fortunately, fate gave me a second chance.”

So close and yet so far away 

It was seeing and being seen in the University Library in 1992. People Management student Manon did not just go there to study, but also to socialize. “All my peers converged there,” Manon remembers. “Moreover, that is the place where plans for going out were made. Although they were never very exciting: we decided to go to Café Brandpunt nine times out of ten.”

Edwin entered university as an Information Management student, but he switched to Business Economics. During his studies, he was an active member of student associations Olof and Vidar. “I made friends for life there,” Edwin says. “We often went to Brandpunt for a beer and there I saw this beautiful blond girl, that I was too shy to talk to.”

Ambtenarencarnaval

The years went by and Manon and Edwin went their separate ways. After graduation, Manon lived in Amsterdam for a long time and then moved to Maastricht, back to her roots. She found a job there and remained single. By coincidence, Edwin also moved to Maastricht, was in a relationship and had two sons. However, the relationship did not have a fairy-tale ending. It was the start of a difficult period for Edwin. “I was fortunate enough to have people around me who cared about and supported me – for instance, my fraternity friends – and they regularly took me out. One evening we went to Vrijthof, during the Ambtenarencarnaval 2013: the Friday before carnival, when everybody hits the pubs in their everyday clothes. I saw a former study mate. And standing next to her, there was Manon. Every fiber in my body told me to get up and talk to her: this was my chance!”

Head over heels

Manon had also spotted Edwin among all the partygoers. “I remember telling my friend: ‘That’s another one from Tilburg’. When Edwin and I got talking, we clicked instantly. I remember feeling really comfortable around Edwin. His gentle personality and smooth talk totally captured me.” Edwin was also completely head over heels in love with Manon. “I felt happy for the first time in a long time,” Edwin admits. “And I told her so that same evening.”

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Happily ever after 

From that moment it was clear: Manon and Edwin were meant for each other. Not much later, the two moved in together and in 2015 they had a daughter. Together with Edwin’s two sons (17 and 22), they form a very happy blended family. Manon is currently working as an educational leader at VISTA College in Maastricht and Edwin as a business development manager at Brightlands Chemelot Campus in Geleen. On June 18, 2022, Manon and Edwin tied the knot. “At Vrijthof in Maastricht of course,” Manon smiles. “On the hottest day of the year.” Edwin nods and concludes: “I gave fate a hard time but fortunately it did not give up on me.” 

Publicatiedatum: 10 april 2024