Hans and Viviën got married on her 70th birthday: ‘The feelings are still just as strong’

When Hans goes on a golf trip eight years ago, he does not expect to meet his future wife there. For her he even exchanges Laren, where he lived for 65 years, for Zoetermeer.

Golf in Spain

Eight years ago, Hans went on a single holiday to Spain. A journey specifically for golfers. I often went away with the same organization and that worked well. We traveled with a group of about twenty people. During the day we waved away and in the evening we dined together. Sometimes with a drink afterwards.” At the airport in Rotterdam, Hans has his eye on a nice lady, who will also travel. “She caught my eye, but I didn’t speak to her until later in the trip, when we were both outside after dinner.” While Viviene prepares the chairs for a drink, Hans smokes his cigar. “That’s how we got talking about golf and the holidays.”

Gift from her daughter

Hans remembers well how Vivienne made such a positive impression on him. ”Viviëne is very spontaneous and friendly, very social. She is also very open and easy to talk to.” In that first conversation on the terrace, it is mentioned that Vivienne has only been single for a short time and that she received this trip as a gift from her daughter. “Because she had only just become single, she was not looking for a new love at all at that time,” says Hans.

Read more below the photo>

Visiting Laren

Hans and Viviën have a nice click, but nothing romantic happens yet. “We did plan to play golf together in the Netherlands sometime.” A month passes and then Hans suddenly receives a spontaneous message from Viviën: she is in Laren, his hometown, and would like to have a drink together. “I didn’t let myself be told that twice, I immediately jumped on my bike.” Hans has a pleasant reunion with Viviëne and meets one of her friends, who also plays golf. “Soon after that, the four of us played golf, with that friend and her husband. That was very nice, but I really wanted to meet Vivienne one-on-one.”

After her message I immediately jumped on my bike

Butterflies

That agreement comes: Viviën and Hans are going to play golf together in The Hague. “We made it a nice day in the city and afterwards Viviëne asked if I could come and have a drink with her in Zoetermeer.” It will be a pleasant appointment and Hans will spend the night in Zoetermeer. ”In the attic, not in bed with her. She stopped that,” says Hans. “I already felt quite a few butterflies, but they didn’t at first.” Yet Viviën also feels the click so that the two continue to meet regularly. Hans also gets to know Zoetermeer better and better, where Viviën has a busy social life.

Read more below the photo >

Bucket of soap

As Viviën sees Hans more often, her feelings also increase. The two fall in love and start a relationship. On Vivienne’s 69th birthday, Hans comes home with a special surprise. “I came in with a big bunch of flowers. Vivienne was just cleaning the windows. I immediately said: ‘Put that bucket of soapy water away for a while!’ Then I got down on one knee in the living room and proposed to her. Vivienne was very surprised and got tears in her eyes. Luckily she said yes!”

Wedding party

Exactly one year later, when Viviën turns 70, the couple gets married. “We got married in the Wapen van Zoetermeer and celebrated it with a big party. All our friends, family and colleagues were guests. A band came to play and also a Zangeres Zonder Naam imitator. Our wedding official was Jan Kragt, a colleague of Viviëne. He gave a beautiful and very humorous speech. That was really the icing on the cake.”

Relocation to Zoetermeer

Hans has been living in Zoetermeer for several years now. That was a change, after 65 years in Laren. Still, he has absolutely no regrets about this decision. ”I haven’t felt completely at home in Laren for a while now. The atmosphere has changed, it is no longer as cozy as it used to be. I really like it in Zoetermeer. I’m in a men’s choir and I’ve also made friends through golf and bowling.” Hans is also very happy with his wife. “Because we met at a late age, there is still a lot we can tell each other. We are both very open, which also helps. And although the experiences we have together are not new, the emotions that come with them are just as strong as before. That is very special.”

Who is the next Zoetermeer of the week?

Do you also have a special story? Or do you know a Zoetermeer that we really need to interview? Let us know at [email protected].