Our Story | 我们的故事
关于我们的社区
The Journey from Home
The Journey from Home
My story begins in Miri, a beautiful city in Sarawak, Malaysia, surrounded by the warmth of a large family. I grew up with a village—where aunts, uncles, and cousins were always nearby. Festivals were celebrated together, responsibilities were shared, and there was a constant feeling of community care.
But my love story, the one that brought me here, began almost 20 years ago online. A shared love for the game Final Fantasy connected me with a kind Dutch man named Jordy through MSN Messenger. For ten years, our friendship existed only through a screen—we only ever chatted and sent pictures, never a single video call. The timing, it turned out, was perfect. In 2015, when we were both finally single, he came to visit me in Malaysia.
We met for the very first time on the vibrant island of Penang, and after a decade of friendship built on words and pictures, the connection was instant and intense—love at first sight. That meeting changed everything. I took a leap of faith and moved across the world to the Netherlands to build a new life with him, and this year, we celebrate our 10th wedding anniversary. It has been a journey of immense joy—of discovering a new culture, building a career, and finally feeling 'settled down' in a house we can call our own. Becoming a mother to our two beautiful children gave my life its truest purpose.
Family Journey
家庭 • Heritage • Connection
Growing Together
成长 • Growth • Community
The Search for a New Village
The Search for a New Village
But motherhood here, so far from my first home, also revealed a deep longing. I found myself searching for that same feeling from my childhood—a village to help raise my children, and a circle of kindred spirits for myself. I wanted to give my children more than just memories of my heritage; I wanted them to live it, play in it, and feel it as a living part of their own story.
That search is why I created The Mandarin Leaf. My family name is Yip (葉), which means 'Leaf'. This project is my way of creating a space where other bicultural families can find connection, support, and a place to nurture their own roots.
The Chinese name for the brand, 葉之心 (Yè zhī Xīn), means 'The Heart of the Leaf.' It signifies that everything we do here comes from a place of personal, heartfelt experience. For me, it also carries a subtle echo of the word 知心 (zhīxīn)—the beautiful concept of a kindred spirit, a friend who knows your heart.
Join Our Journey
Ready to connect with families who understand your beautiful, complex journey? Come discover the warmth and wisdom of The Mandarin Leaf community.