A shared dream, a sudden yes,
and a new life in Portugal
Our story was written by Bibi Timmerman,
as part of her Wonder With Me program
How Esmee and Laurens turned
a Wild idea into Reality
Urban dwellers yearning for connection with nature and simplicity
For Esmee, this wasn’t just about a project; it was about finding home. While living in Holland, she always felt a sense of belonging somewhere else. Maybe home isn’t just a house, but more a feeling tied to a place. Looking back on the houses she once lived in, she realized she was always restless, constantly searching for something more, somewhere else. Traveling through Australia, she experienced what real happiness was for her, and she promised herself to live like that—free, in nature, untethered and following her heart.
For Laurens, this move was more than just an exciting new project—it was a deep return to something he had lost along the way. From a young age, he had a strong preference for being in nature, fascinated by everything that moved and lived. During his childhood football matches, he was often more captivated by the soaring buzzards and surrounding wildlife than by the actual game itself. He grew up surrounded by nature, always outside, always exploring. Birdwatching, fishing, and being in the wilderness were second nature to him. But when he moved to the city for university, that part of him faded. Moving to Amsterdam, he focused on building a career. Like many, he faced the pressure to choose between nature and making money. The city offered opportunities in media and entertainment.
Urban dwellers yearning for connection with nature and simplicity.
How Esmee and Laurens turned
a Wild idea into Reality
A shared dream, a sudden yes,
and a new life in Portugal
Our story was written by Bibi Timmerman,
as part of her Wonder With Me program
From first date to renovating and running a farm stay in the countryside of Portugal: How Esmee and Laurens Turned a wild Idea into reality
Written
by Bibi Timermman in
Wonder with Me Program
Some love stories take their time, unfolding gradually over years. Others, like Esmee and Laurens', ignite like wildfire, fueled by a shared dream, a leap of faith, and an unwavering belief in building a life together - no matter how soon or how risky it seemed.
It all started with a trip to Portugal. Esmee and Laurens had been dating for a short while, still getting to know each other, but enjoying their time together immensely. Laurens casually mentioned that owning a place in Portugal was a dream of his. Esmee took note but didn't dwell on it. After all, they had only just begun. Three months later, Laurens was back in Portugal for an extended stay, and Esmee came to visit.
On just their second trip together, over dinner at a small burger restaurant, the conversation took a turn. Laurens threw out the idea again—why not buy a piece of land? Esmee, intrigued for the first time, thought, I’d love to have a place to rent out.
But logic quickly followed:
“This is crazy. We barely know each other.”
Get to know
Back in the Netherlands, Esmee couldn’t leave the idea. A vision took shape. She created a mood board—her version of a proposal—and sent it to Laurens in December 2021. “From a young age, you always knew what you wanted,” her stepmother, told her.
“And somehow, you always make it happen.”
"It was a wake-up call.
Life gives no guarantees. Laurens realized he didn’t want to wait. "
He dove into that world, but he knew the whole time: something was missing.
Then came a harsh reality check. His father passed away just two weeks before turning 65. Through stories from friends and family, Laurens saw how his father had postponed his dreams—always waiting for the “right moment.” That moment never came.
It was a wake-up call. Life gives no guarantees. Laurens realized he didn’t want to wait. He had already been drawn to nature—always traveling to wild places for vacations, unconsciously seeking it in his work. But now, it was clear: he needed nature to be his foundation, not just a getaway.
On New Year's Eve, ten minutes before midnight, amidst confetti and music, Laurens turned to Esmee. Will you be my girlfriend? From that moment, everything moved fast. By March 2022, they started seriously looking at properties in Portugal. But nothing felt right. The places they visited were too far from the vision on their mood board. “Your first instinct is usually the right one” they reminded themselves. So they waited.
Then, in May, Laurens stumbled upon the property.
He sent it to Esmee immediately:
This might actually be it.
Within a week, they flew to Portugal to see it in person.
It poured rain the day they arrived. But standing on the land,
drenched and excited, they knew: This was home.
Location
South Alentejo, Portugal
They made an offer on the spot. Fear and exhilaration mixed together. What followed was a whirlwind—renovations, selling their homes, traveling back and forth, preparing to build their dream from scratch. Friends and family were supportive, though cautious. You’re young. Are you sure? But waiting five years to “be sure” wasn’t their style. Both had grown up in entrepreneurial families. Esmee’s father always told her: Don’t wait for permission—just go for it. Laurens shared the same mindset. If it failed? They’d figure it out. They weren’t chasing luxury. They weren’t chasing convention. They were chasing freedom—a place by the ocean, a simple, raw life, built with their own hands.
Today, Helder Farm Studios is more than just a home - it’s a space where creativity and nature intertwine. A retreat for artists, dreamers, and those seeking an escape from the ordinary. Esmee had always believed in one simple truth: "If you do what you truly love, things will work out. If you chase what you want, the path will find itself."
Was it risky? Absolutely.
But to them, the bigger risk was waiting and never trying at all. So they took the leap.
And they never looked back.
