I was recently in to see my
dermatologist (weird rash caused by a virus. I know ~tmi) who I consider to be a
good friend. We were chatting about her oldest daughter. She said that her daughter
is now two years old. I told my friend that I will always remember Holland. When
Holland was born, I committed a faux pas and sent Keri an email to apologize. She
told me that she had put the email into her daughter's memory book. I was so flattered.
I decided, since it's fresh in my mind, that I would post that email as my first
blog.
Hi there
Keri,
I was in a while ago
(Theresa SG-Mitchell, or Tari) and we were talking about your new bundle of joy
(well, not so new, I guess now.) Anyway, you were telling me that her name is
Holland, like the country (which is adorable, by the way [the baby's name,
not the "country" {well, I suppose the "country" is
adorable too, but I have never been there, so I can't really say}]) and, of
course, I have to be my goofy literal self and tell you that Holland is not
actually a country. Dang, what a party pooper am I. Anyway, I thought I
would check into it because my memory is not what it used to be and here is
what I found.
Holland is a region in western Netherlands. And, I guess, the people who live there are very culture cognizant and don't appreciate when people from the other provinces in the Netherlands are referred to as "Hollanders." "Hollanders" are strictly people from the regions of North and South Holland. And vice versa, Dutch people of other provinces of the Netherlands do not want to be known as "Hollanders." They perceive Holland as a threat to their identities and local cultures. This is an example that is similar to the tendency that we have to call the United Kingdom, "England." (You know, like calling a tissue, a "Kleenex".)
Here is a fun fact for Holland (your baby, not the region): From 1806 to 1810, Napoleon styled this state, which was governed by his brother, Louis Napoleon (and shortly governed by his son, Napoleon Louis Bonaparte) as the "Kingdom of Holland". This kingdom encompassed much of what would become the modern Netherlands. That's why it's natural for us to equate the Netherlands with Holland.
Maybe, your Holland won't be able to say, "Holland, like the country", but she will be able to say that she is named after the "Kingdom of Holland". And, of course, she can refer to herself as Princess Holland of said kingdom.
Of course, all of this is tongue in cheek, but this is my way of apologizing for such a gaffe. I hope this clears up the confusion about Holland and I think you will have many family stories to tell. I know there will be people along the way that will ask you, "Holland? Like the country?" and you can smile and say, "No, Holland. Like the region." or even better, "Holland. Like the kingdom."
Holland is a region in western Netherlands. And, I guess, the people who live there are very culture cognizant and don't appreciate when people from the other provinces in the Netherlands are referred to as "Hollanders." "Hollanders" are strictly people from the regions of North and South Holland. And vice versa, Dutch people of other provinces of the Netherlands do not want to be known as "Hollanders." They perceive Holland as a threat to their identities and local cultures. This is an example that is similar to the tendency that we have to call the United Kingdom, "England." (You know, like calling a tissue, a "Kleenex".)
Here is a fun fact for Holland (your baby, not the region): From 1806 to 1810, Napoleon styled this state, which was governed by his brother, Louis Napoleon (and shortly governed by his son, Napoleon Louis Bonaparte) as the "Kingdom of Holland". This kingdom encompassed much of what would become the modern Netherlands. That's why it's natural for us to equate the Netherlands with Holland.
Maybe, your Holland won't be able to say, "Holland, like the country", but she will be able to say that she is named after the "Kingdom of Holland". And, of course, she can refer to herself as Princess Holland of said kingdom.
Of course, all of this is tongue in cheek, but this is my way of apologizing for such a gaffe. I hope this clears up the confusion about Holland and I think you will have many family stories to tell. I know there will be people along the way that will ask you, "Holland? Like the country?" and you can smile and say, "No, Holland. Like the region." or even better, "Holland. Like the kingdom."
Congrats again,
~Tari
