The story of

Hi! My name is Heike and I am 29 years young, born and raised in Doetinchem (the Achterhoek). Since 2016, I have been living in Terneuzen.
I moved to Zeeland for love. I met my husband in the Royal Navy, where we sailed together. I worked in hospitality on board and he was employed in the nautical service. He is from Terneuzen, and since he already had his own house here, we moved there together.
Pretty soon I noticed that Zeeuws-Vlaanderen felt like a warm blanket. I felt (and feel) very much at home here.
As we were keen to build our future here, we both quit the Royal Navy. After all, we didn't want to be separated from each other for months when we were back on a ship.

Our desire to have a baby also soon became a reality after that. In 2017, I became a first-time mother of a beautiful son, Milan. I had a job in the catering industry but soon traded it in to work at the fishmonger's (visbijjaneskes), which means a lot of Zeeland for someone from the Achterhoek.... 
After a few years we had our second son, Luca, and soon our third son, Roan. Yep, I'm a real boy's mum! I love it!

After the navy, my husband became a captain in inland navigation. As a result, he alternates between two weeks of sailing and two weeks at home.
I found out that it is really hard sometimes, working and being at home alone with three boys when my husband is sailing. So, we decided that I will stay home with the boys for the time being. That way I can give the children all the attention they need. But of course, I will continue to get kibbeling (cod parings) from the fishmonger's because it tastes best!

When I stopped with my job outside the house, I felt that now was my chance to make my dream a reality. Namely to revive the love for photography. I used to study art, majoring in photography. I have always had a great love for photography, but never had (taken) enough time to do something 'serious' with it. That feeling has always kept itching. Until recently! Heikelouisafotography was born and it is booming! I never could’ve imagined that it would turn out so well.

I can combine this work (huge hobby) very well with my husband's sailing schedule as well as life with three children. This is the ideal combination for me! It's never too late to chase your dreams and do what you love most!

I definitely wouldn't want to leave Zeeuws-Vlaanderen! Regularly, my family visits or we go there. That's incredibly nice. Although FaceTime works wonders these days!  Meanwhile, I can say that I really even feel a true person from Zeeland! I have seen wonderful opportunities and the space to make my dreams come true!