On February 14, 2010 (Valentine’s Day) the Lock of Love art piece was placed in Rotterdam’s popular district of Delfshaven. The Lock of Love ritual has been taking place all over the world, and is now here in Rotterdam as well. Not just a rail on a bridge or a chain around a lamppost, this work of art has love written all over it.
The story goes that if a couple brings a lock to the Lock of Love location, the love will last as long as the lock is hanging.
Yesterday Xander and I picked up a lock at our local hardware store and had it engraved. It says Xammy Forever, which is a cross of our names, Xander and Tammy. It originated with a slip of the tongue by his stepmother many years ago. When she said it we all laughed, but we ended up finding something sort of endearing about it and had Xammy Forever engraved on the inside of our wedding rings. Obviously it wasn’t hard for us to figure out what to put on the lock. I bet Jenny never would have thought that such a simple mistake would end up being something so beloved and long lasting for us.
Being one of the first ones to leave a lock we had our choice of where to put it, and we chose right in the center of the top of the heart. The lock we chose had a longer post on it so it would hang lower than the others. We thought it would also make it easier to find when we come back, as we’ll probably visit it after a year or so to see if others have joined in the tradition. After placing the lock we threw the keys in the nearby water, ensuring that our lock, and our love, will last forever.
If you want to visit and place a lock of your own, you can find the Lock of Love in Rotterdam’s Delfshaven at the address Havenstraat 53 by the Lage Erfbrug. To check for a Lock of Love location in your country or city, check the Wikipedia Page.
Filed Under: Life in The Netherlands • Photography
Awww how cute is that? My husband and I also have a mix name for our selves. It’s Frandace LOL (His name is Francis). That is such a great idea with the lock! You guys are so cute!
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Frandace hehe cute! I like Frandee too!
That is soooo wicked!
Have you and Warnoud gotten a lock yet? :)
That’s so awesome! Apparently there’s one in Bxl too but I’ve never heard of this before. I’ll have to see if I can find it!
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If you do be sure to take pics (uhh like I need to tell you that, right? :P )
So sweet. It’s a lovely idea!
Love this! So sweet. :)
That’s really sweet!
Alison´s last blog ..Olympic Inburgering
aww love it what an awesome idea!
Thats so awesome! I just love that. Edwin is going to be in Rotterdam later on this month..I wonder what his co workers would say if he asked to stop off and do this..LOL
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You should get him to drop you here while he’s doing work stuff so we can hang out, then you guys can go do it together! The boys can come, I have a wii and loads of pets to keep them occupied haha
That is pretty darn adorable!!
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What a beautiful photo of the two of you! Xammy is looking good.
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Thank you, you have just given me a wonderful idea for our 10th year wedding aniversary later this month!
Hey it’s our 10th this year too :) Congrats!
WOW, the art piece is amazing and it is sooo romantic that you guys added your own lock, too. Thanks for sharing. :)
I thought so too! That it was so romantic, I mean. It’s nice to see something like this in Rotterdam! :) You’ll have to add it to your list of stuff to do with your honey when you get here.
I’m a little teary. That’s so sweet! What a clever idea, as well.
IT sounds like it is not to far from me. I might have to take my girlfriend there later.
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I thought you were in Amsterdam? Or are you in Rotterdam for something?
OMG I love this!!!
I know it’s so cool, right? You should take your hubby there next time you are in Rotterdam! It’s quite easy to find.
Very cool find! What a great piece of artwork as well.
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Yeah I think it’s beautiful! On the one hand I hope lots of people put locks on there, on the other hand I’ll be sad when the whole thing is just a big jumble of metal.
Interesting arty heart-shaped piece of art | unusual concept | good find!
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Thanks Agnes!
Of course no where in Canada
Good reason to start one :)