My only regret is that we didn’t have a party.

It was weird. We kinda won, but we didn’t win for everyone, so what do you do with that?  I would have much preferred a story book ending, but the older I get the clearer it is that stories never really end, someone just picks a place to stop. For me, that place is now. After 6 lovely years here, my Netherlands story is over.  

There is no question, United Expats of The Netherlands is one of the best things I’ve ever been a part of. It’s of the best stories I’ll take with me back to America. My exit from The Netherlands was put in motion when this whole 30 rule thing started back in 2018. Honestly I wasn't expecting things would turn out like they did.  I mean, how do you anticipate a video and a petition would rally 50,000 expats to join forces and alter the policy plans of a government? Well, that's what happened. 

It was definitely hard. It felt like every day someone else was coming for us. Whether it be a shady press outlet, an unsympathetic local, even a few skeptical fellow expats. Fortunately our movement was too strong, our community was too organized, and our ask was too reasonable to be stopped. It didn’t start out like that however, and as I look back, I get filled with a sense of pride when I see what it has become. It’s amazing to me how sometimes anger and confusion can create something just as beautiful as passion and joy.

For me it's time to go back home and refocus on the other priorities in life: my wife, my 2 year old, and a documentary film that is finally complete after 3 years of work and more than a couple distractions. I hope to have a screening here in The Netherlands next year, and would love to see a few expats in the crowd:)

So for now I say goodbye and thank you. Jessica and the team will still manage the next steps for UENL, and I still may pop in occasionally as I will remain on the board in a more advisory role, but really the next phase of this movement should be fought by some new fire. Those of you losing a full 3 years, this is your time to step up. Don’t sit back and hope someone else is taking care of it, that someone else is you. The United Expats of the Netherlands is merely a name with a logo, a website, and a Facebook page. Without intelligent and motivated people lending their talents, time, and resources to the mission behind it all, that’s all it will be….a name with a logo. I'm counting on you all to make that party we never had actually happen:)

-Mike