nic, amy, matthew and kelly at roux farm
(in kimberley last year to watch matt play rugby)
but i am big and brave and am writing it anyway. i should ask for permission from amy, nicholas and matthew before i click on "publish" but none of them are around so if it disappears you will know why. i want to share some email correspondence between amy and myself earlier this week which touched me and has had me thinking about it all of last night.
i will have to give you some background though. my niece amy is 14. she has grown up with my sons, gareth, nicholas and matthew. once she was born and dalene became a stay-at-home mom, tom and dalene's home (15 st lukes) became "home from home" to them. they walked there after school, made themselves comfortable on the couch, emptied the fridge and amy (and later kelly) really grew up with 3 cousins who were more like big brothers. quite strange because like my (much younger) brother became a "big brother" to them, they are now more like protective big brothers to the girls than cousins. it is a very special relationship that they share. i could actually write a whole post on "the cousins" (and perhaps, i will). but back to the email.
amy has grown up on the side of the rugby field (and it is amazing too how well she understands the rules of the game) and has always been there to support all the boys from schoolboy sport to university rugby and cricket and now to follow matthew at griquas (and nic back at uct). she is matthew's biggest fan and the varsity cup was an exciting time for her (and all of us). she got to know all the players and matthew often had to give his mates the "hands off" look (she is lovely and looks much older than 14 (but they all do)). this does not stop her listing them in order of hottness and developing crushes on some of them (ok, a lot of them) along the way. just as she thinks robert pattinson is her ultimate in good looks she also has the first team hooker (strange choice), wing and lock on her list. we (actually her mother) sometimes get worried because amy would rather spend the afternoon on the green mile at uct in the freezing wind and cold than shopping or movies at cavendish with her friends (i see where she is coming from because i was the same). because our family are so close it is only natural that the girlfriends of the boys also become her friends and role models. she wants her hair cut like bielle, a coat like tori, nail polish like hayley's. she has copied their fashion sense while at the same time developing her own unique style. she is the most wonderful, gentle and caring child (her mother may sometimes disagree). she is organised in her mind (but not in her cupboards) and is great at getting everyone together be it for supper, a sunday braai or for a holiday in plett. the email that i am posting below (i am going to reverse it for easy reading) shows just the kind of person she is.
another bit that needs explanation before you read it is that both nic and matthew have had recent break-ups in their relationships. it has been difficult for everyone involved but to read this through the eyes of a 14 year old makes it very hard to explain that life is not always like you want it to be and that growing up is not so always so easy:-
----- Original Message -----
From: Amy van Vlaanderen
To: Jenny Rosslee
Sent: Tuesday, June 28, 2011 10:53 AM
Subject: Back in the loop!
Yay we back online! How exciting... its been forever!
How are you?? I liked your new blog post about the songs...
I started my health plan yesterday! I ran in the morning walked Sam in the afternoon and walked with my mom and Gareth in the evening! I'm quite proud to be honest for someone who is addicted to Vampire Diaries and eating pizza to muesli, fruit and lots of exercise:)
What you up to today?? When is Matthew arriving? We were thinking because Matt is here for such a short while its silly to go to Pringle Bay but I still think because its not far that everyone should go after work on Friday and have a big party! Its a huge house and we can invite who ever we want just tell people to pull in and have a sleep over! There are enough beds for everyone to sleep and then come back for rugby? I'm sure you could get Friday off and we can go in the morning? Cause it wont be nice for you if Matt goes away when he only has 5 days ( or you could take off work :) )
What do you think??
It is only Tuesday so we can speak about it later!
Have a nice day
Reply as soon as possible :)
love you x x
--
Amy van Vlaanderen
--
Amy van Vlaanderen
On Tue, Jun 28, 2011 at 11:11 AM, Jenny Kotze <jenny@coulters.co.za> wrote:
hello boo
thanks for mail - glad you are back in the loop
the problem with pringle is the rugby on saturday - pity they have tickets
i want to take some time off and could take friday off. lets have a chat later - matt here in the morning - yeah!!!
shot on the exercise and healthy eating. no wine for me during the week is the best i can do. should also join you for the walks because mike and i really take a stroll around the park and neighbourhood.
okey dokes
see you later
got to go meet nic at the bank in a bit
----- Original Message -----
From: Amy van Vlaanderen
To: Jenny Kotze
Sent: Tuesday, June 28, 2011 11:16 AM
Subject: Re: Back in the loop!
We can come back for the rugby or is it to far??... Just sounds like an awesome house for a crazy loon family! Take Friday off and we can go on a family outing :) We can talk later about that.... you should come walk - it is amazing in the evenings - it is beautiful and dark so no-one can see you :) Gareth has was in great spirits yesterday and is so funny - He came over for movie night after our walk...
See you later - have a nice day.
Are you going to fetch Matt?? Can I be your co-pilot :) ??
love you
xx
----- Original Message -----
From: Amy van Vlaanderen
To: Jenny Kotze
Sent: Thursday, June 30, 2011 10:17 AM
Subject: Re: Back in the loop!
Morning :)
So... any gossip after we left last night?? ;) Tell tell.... I can keep a secret (no promises but i can try!) Thanks for the supper... it was delicious!
Have a nice day :)
x x love you x x
On Thu, Jun 30, 2011 at 10:22 AM, Jenny Kotze <jenny@coulters.co.za> wrote:
helllooo
no skinner at all. we all went to bed after you left and matt was up at 6 to go off surfing. he will probably be home by now, give him a call.
---- Original Message -----
From: Amy van Vlaanderen
To: Jenny Kotze
Sent: Thursday, June 30, 2011 11:52 AM
Subject: Re: Back in the loop!
It is so nice to see Matt. It must be strange for him not having Tori for a girlfriend... I really hope that they work it out... I think they were really special together. I am sad though. Tori is one of my very best friends and I am very close to her and Bielle. It will just take some time for me to get over it and to try and understand things... probably also because I havent had a steady boyfriend and been in that position...
Welllll I hope Matthew is happy and that Tori is too....
Thanks for everything - Still in my jim-jams. Must go and shower
x x x x love you
I'm excited for Wellington! Yeah! I think i'll have to discover a new Ikey-crush! Nic FW?? Brad B?? xx
On Thu, Jun 30, 2011 at 12:02 PM, Jenny Kotze <jenny@coulters.co.za> wrote:
we can only hope they are happy - now off you go to get dressed
----- Original Message -----
From: Amy van Vlaanderen
To: Jenny Kotze
Sent: Thursday, June 30, 2011 12:09 PM
Subject: Re: Back in the loop!
Just got out the shower... I feel like a new person! If only we could turn back the clock to 2009! It was the happiest year of my life :)
Not to sure what we doing today... hopefully we will get out the house :)
On Thu, Jun 30, 2011 at 12:12 PM, Jenny Kotze <jenny@coulters.co.za> wrote:
my aching nerves - 2009 the best year of your life? when you met dayne??
dont be silly - EVERY YEAR is going to be the best year of your life
On Thursday, June 30, 2011, Amy van Vlaanderen <amyatstlukes@gmail.com>
Everything was perfect. Matt was playing Varsity Cup. He was with Tori. Matt was living here. Nic was with Bielle. I was happily in like with Dayne and Dayne was happily in like with me. You got married. I was in Grade 7- I loved Grade 7 :)
You put a smile on my face :)
x x love you
special child. i love you too, amy (lots)
amy and her besties
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