As soon as I set foot on Dutch soil, there are always two things on the agenda: snack bar + people watching and eating sandwiches on the terrace of Van Dam. Van Dam was still possible at the last minute, the snack bar not yet. I have no time for a fries war, because I am first visiting my dearest friend who has a baby in her belly again. In the garden, we sit in the sun, just like we did twenty years ago. Only today her second child is on the way and I live in New York... But despite everything, it all feels the same as before. And then I was already heading back to Schiphol. Together with Lotte, I am going to Italy to dot the i's and cross the t's for the wedding. Just 4 weeks left. I can hardly believe it...

I meet Lotte at Schiphol. We are only going for a few days, so hand luggage had to work out. At least, my bag is very heavy. I fear I won't make the allowed ten kilos. To avoid hassle, I put it on the scale. Exactly 9.9 kilos. I do a little happy dance, and as a happy little package (but a very satisfied little package) we go through customs. Off to paradise in Tuscany.

After two hours of flying and an hour of driving in the car, we drive onto the estate. It is even more beautiful than I remember. The blossoms are on the trees. The birds are chirping and flying around like you see in fairy tales. On our room, strawberries from our own garden are waiting; this is truly a fairy tale. Lotte and I go through everything these days. Walking with the staff along all points, discussing all details, and at breakfast, we check off all the to-dos together. We are ready. And then we enjoyed a little more. The view, the wine, and the sun setting, coloring the sky pink. And those little birds that wake us in the morning. Just 36 days left...