Five years ago, I found myself in Leuven—not knowing this city would become more than just a brief chapter in my life. It would become one of my homes—the new one, the kind you build from scratch.

It felt like a fresh start, full of endless possibilities and also many unknowns, especially as an accompanying partner like I was. Just weeks after unpacking boxes and starting Dutch classes, COVID hit, and my integration took a very different turn. Like many of us, I did my best to navigate those strange months and years. Beyond learning how to bake complex cakes, cut hair at home, and becoming a pro at Zoom call backgrounds, I also deepened my passion for photography—a journey that started long before the day I called myself a professional photographer.

Today, as I walk through the charming streets of Leuven, looking up at the amazing architecture, meeting friends at cozy cafés, or attending one of the many events this city offers, I feel like I belong. 

For me, belonging is also the quiet joy of recognizing familiar faces at the Saturday market, exchanging fresh produce with neighbors, the satisfaction of knowing the best spot for cheese cake, and building meaningful professional connections that often turn into friendships.

It’s also the only place where I’ve learned to bike with groceries, flowers, packages from the post, a camera bag, and my kid in the bakfiets—like a true local.

Leuven is a city that feels both intimate and alive, where history and modern life coexist beautifully. For me, it isn’t just where I live—it’s one of my homes, a place that continues to inspire, surprise, and fill me with joy every day.

Say Hello! I’d love to hear about our next project!