By tf-lawyer.com Isobel Mebus recently reflected on her emotional return to London, a city that stirs a mix of memories for her. She shared a defining moment that not only opened her heart but solidified her love for her husband, Michael.
“Michael and I first crossed paths at a wine show in Auckland back in the early 2000s. He was a winemaker, and I was working on importing French oak wine barrels. While I was catching up with clients, I noticed this tall Dutch guy smiling at me from one of the stands, offering me a taste of his merlot. His warmth was infectious, and the wine was impressive as well,” Isobel described, smiling at the memory.
Their friendship blossomed over the next few months, leading to a romantic relationship after reuniting at a wine festival a year later. Both having been married before and with young children, they navigated a long-distance relationship for the first four years, with Isobel in Auckland and Michael near Wellington. Long drives and late-night travel became a norm as they made their relationship work.
During their first year together, they took a trip to Europe to visit family in the Netherlands and England, which included a stop in London. “Going back to London stirred up a rush of sadness for me. I had grown up in Kent and spent years living in London during my early twenties,” she admitted. “While it’s a lively and thrilling city, it can also feel so isolating. I once experienced profound loneliness there until I met a group of fellow Kiwis.”
Isobel fondly recalled how she saved for a year to visit New Zealand for Christmas and ended up never returning to London. However, being back in the city rekindled old feelings, and while Michael couldn’t fully understand her emotional struggle, he could sense her distress.
One day, as they traveled on the Piccadilly line, Isobel noticed a moth fluttering around the platform, feeling a pang of sympathy for the trapped creature. “It was suffocating in those dark tunnels,” she reflected.
After disembarking at Covent Garden, amid the bustling crowd, Michael made a surprising gesture. He suddenly paused, opened his hand, and released the moth into the sky. “I was completely taken aback,” Isobel shared. “I had no idea he had taken the time to rescue it. It was such a small act of kindness, yet it represented so much more to me. In that moment, I felt my heart open; I realized how incredibly kind he is, and that I loved him deeply.”
Over the years, Michael has continued to demonstrate this compassionate side. “His Dutch nature shines through – he never hesitates to stand up for what’s right, call out injustice, or lend a hand to those in need. He has this incredible ability to make strangers feel at home within minutes and isn’t shy about being the punchline to make people laugh.”
Now married for 20 years and raising a blended family of seven children, the youngest just turned 18, Isobel expresses profound gratitude. “I can’t imagine my life without Michael. He’s not just my husband; he’s my best friend and soulmate. He has shown me what true, unconditional love really means,” she concluded, raising her glass in celebration of their enduring bond.
