BORDERLESS IN LOVE

Last Sunday, the long-awaited first episode of ‘Farmer Seeks Wife International’ finally aired again. Together with other classics like ‘Borderless in Love’ and ‘Hello Goodbye’, it's hugely my favorite. Why? Because I was once one of them. I too left home and hearth behind for love. After a mountain of heartbreak, endless dating, and broken relationships, I met Mr. X in the f*cking US of A. I wondered if it could go any further. But yes, you get the butterflies, fall in love, you can't think clearly anymore, and you no longer hear the advice of family and friends. Or you don't want to hear it anymore. After dozens of ‘Hello Goodbye’ moments at Schiphol, a hundred stuffed Kleenex boxes, and countless stamps in my passport, it was time. I packed my bags and left. ‘I'm Leaving’... Also such a hit, by the way!

I held on for three years, and at the moment I actually decided to continue my life on the other side of the ocean, I got a stomach ache. Something inside me seriously wondered if this was really what I wanted. And I am the type where the gut feeling is always right. I took the plane. But not to promise each other eternal loyalty (America, you know, no marriage, no Green Card), no, I went to put an end to it with a heavy heart. I chose not for love, but for myself. Stomach ache made way for endless tears. But now, over a year later, I can finally say it was the right decision.

Recently, dating site Parship conducted research into how far the Dutch single is willing to go abroad for love. And what turned out? No less than 40% is willing to move abroad, and over 17% even dreams of a life on a vineyard in the French Provence. According to them, that is also the reason why programs like the international version of ‘Farmer Seeks Wife’ are such a success on television.

After dozens of ‘Hello Goodbye’ moments at Schiphol, a hundred stuffed Kleenex boxes, and countless stamps in my passport, it was time

Yet not everyone dreams of a Russian or Canadian farmer. A quarter of the people who would pack their bags set requirements. They prefer to stay within Europe, and factors like climate and language are of great importance. The down-to-earth Dutchman does leave our small, but oh so nice country. Only it is more likely to meet the one in the Albert Heijn. 20% doesn't care whether they fall in love with a Frisian or a Zeelandic. 10% indicates that a long travel time is also not a problem. Surprisingly, the majority, namely 45%, does not want to travel more than an hour for a new love. Almost a quarter of the population wants to be a maximum of half an hour away to embrace their loved one.

Could online dating apps like Tinder and Inner Circle therefore be such a hype in our small country? It is made easy for us; if you don't want to travel more than half an hour, you can set your account so that your potential lover is no further than 60 kilometers away from you. If, like me, you are quaintly attached to your family and friends, I can only give you one piece of advice. Turn off your app when you cross the border. Keep it nice in our little frog country and save yourself those boxes of Kleenex.
And Mr. Perfect, if you are hiding in Groningen, you may now come forward. Three hours of travel? That's nothing...