“There was Jantine sitting on the couch with us. She said, ‘Mom, Dad, what would you think if I signed up for the program? Married at first sight?’ Then I just thought: oh, child, what are you getting yourself into?
I had seen the program in which scientists match candidates with a marriage partner before. Did it work? I actually had no idea. But Jantine was convinced. After a few relationships that didn’t last, she wanted to see what science had in store for her. If she really wanted to do this, my husband and I supported her. I immediately said: ‘Keep in mind that everyone will have an opinion about you. The media can make or break you. Be aware of that.’ Jantine was full of confidence. So we did too.
Famous Dutchmen
For us, such a program is something very special. We come from a small village near Nijmegen and we are not used to being in the spotlight like this. At first I was afraid of what would happen to us. I was very nervous during the first recordings. What’s going to happen? How does it all work? But I soon got into a certain ‘flow’ and was able to let it all wash over me. Although I was a bit shocked when, after the first episode, we were approached on the dike by strangers who had seen the program: ‘You are Jantine’s parents, aren’t you?’ As if we had suddenly become famous Dutch people! Even when messages about Jantine first appeared on the internet, I had to swallow hard. It was stated that she very quickly started talking about her desire to have children and that she nagged at Jeppe. I held my breath for what was to come. I told Jantine not to read those messages about her, but I was secretly happy that it stayed that way and that she received mostly positive responses.
Warm memory
If I on the whole MAFSLooking back on the period, it is mainly the beautiful moments that have stayed with me. I loved choosing a wedding dress together with Jantine. There she was, my daughter in that beautiful dress. I couldn’t keep it dry. The wedding itself also feels like a warm memory. It was such a beautiful day! And although I was quite apprehensive in advance about the whole principle of ‘marrying a stranger’, my nerves disappeared as soon as I first met Jeppe. I immediately saw that this was a nice, serious man, with a nice chat. But especially someone who was just as committed to the experiment as our Jantine. I also saw how well they responded to each other, I saw two happy faces and immediately had a good feeling about it.
In the two previous relationships Jantine has had, she was quite disappointed. Especially the last time. She was with her ex-boyfriend for almost three years and he seriously damaged her trust by cheating on her. It was very sad to see that she suffered such a blow from it. I just hoped with all my heart that this time things would work out for her and maybe she would finally find the love of her life.
Result
During the months in which the program was on television, I was not allowed to reveal the ‘outcome’. Of course I found that terribly difficult. I could only talk about it with my husband and my eldest daughter. Even to close friends and colleagues I was not allowed to say anything. I work at a day care center with the elderly, and they have often asked me how my ‘television daughter’ was doing. It was so bad that Jantine and Jeppe went incognito when they came to eat with us. He with a hood over his head and a cap, Jantine with a wig. Everything so they wouldn’t be seen together.
I am therefore very happy that I can finally tell how they are doing. They are still together! They are having a great time together. I see how happiness radiates from them when they are together. They see each other almost every week and I have the feeling that things are going well.
Future
How will this develop further? I do not dare to say that. Of course, they have to get to know each other a little better. Although of course it is the opposite world if you are already married. But I wish them both all the best for the future together. I hope the love lasts.”
The episodes of MAFS can be seen on Videoland.
: “I hoped with all my heart that it would turn out well for Jantine and Jeppe”){kind=link}