The beautiful story I really wanted to share 

Oh Marloes , what a wonderful story,,,,it is lovely that it is now a generational connection and that your boys will hopefully keep it alive in their time and beyond . More people need to stop and simply be thankful for the lives we lead because it is likely due to circumstances that arose from the wars,,,,will we ever learn the lessons from war or live the destiny of repetition. I work in the school system here in Canada with Special needs Exceptional Children and when I was working in our local high school I met a lovely history teacher who was determined to have his students understand the price of war . He wanted to show them that the title of hero that was bestowed on these soldier was difficult for them as they were mostly just simple people . They were the farmers and grocers and the man next door who volunteered to lay down their lives , if need be , to protect the freedoms we all take for granted these days,,,,sooo,,,I offered to share with his class the collection of airmail letters that my step grandparents had exchanged during the war . They are filled to overflowing with the chat about everyday life for them both . He recounting the awful conditions of war and her the struggles of raising a toddler during wartime . He thankful for the parcel of much needed socks that she had knit for him and the carton of cigarettes to steady his nerves . Her about the challenges of putting a small meal on the table each day when food was scarce . They both loved each other to distraction and wrote to one another about their eternal love and the future they would build together . Their were personal passages ( very graphic) that I deliberately omitted which voiced their frustrations at the unfairness of war and it's impact on their lives . It is through these stories , connections and experiences we hopefully will learn to live in peace ....God bless you all as you share such precious times together...... by the way sharing those letters was an honour for me as my step grandma treasured her precious letters in a tin box under the head end of her bed and we all had instructions in case of fire to make sure they survived ,,,chat soon ....Cherryl from Canada

Happy 101st Birthday Grandma Ruthie! My husband's mother was our children's Grammy Ruth. We lost her a little over a year ago after her 103rd birthday. My father-in-law, her siblings, and many of her friends all called her Ruthie! I called her Mama Ruth. It's a lovely name and always reminds me of the Bible story of Ruth who lost her Israeli husband and returned to his homeland with her mother-in-law, Naomi, saying "your home shall be my home, and your God my God. Beautiful story! I wish to thank your husband and all those young men and women who served (and so many gave up their lives) in WW2 to defeat the Nazi regime from fulfilling their wicked quest for world domination. It's a beautiful story the lifelong friendship your husband fostered with Marloes' great-grandparents and her grandfather. Lovely that the connection has stayed strong through multi-generations! Wishing you continued health & happiness through each coming year! From Barbara in Oregon State, USA!🎉

Hello Grandma Ruthie. Grannie Cyndy from South Australia here. My own dear grandmother lived to 102 years and 2 months! Belated congratulations on your birthday, from a 71 year old Australian. Xxx

Marloes, I had chill bumps listening to your story. Grandma Ruthie , My French Grandfather was sent to a German Labor camp during WW2 leaving my Grandmother and Mother behind until the end of the war. Until his death he had enormous gratitude for the brave men who fought to free France from Nazi control. Grandma Ruthie congrats on reaching this amazing Birthday milestone and for sharing this, through lovely Marloes, with us. Thank you Marloes! Charleston, SC

My Uncle Charles Williams did not survive that day... He's buried in France...I am thankful for your story! HAPPY BIRTHDAY GRANDMA RUTHIE! Blessings from Florida USA 💗

Hello Ruthie! I live in California. My father was a soldier in WW2 and was at Normandy. I often reflect about how I would not have even been born, if he had been killed there. His life was deeply impacted by the war, and he made a commitment to be a kind and generous person I think because of it. I think it is wonderful to see others make something good out of that horrific experience. What a lovely person you must be! Happy Birthday to you.

Happy birthday Grandma Ruthie. The sacrifices made by your generation I will always hold in awe. It makes war seem a little less dark to know that loving relationships like this came out of it. ❤

Wow, what a great story! Thanks for sharing. I'm from Germany, lots of love to Ruthie. I will be forever grateful to your husband and the American soldiers for their bravery and the liberation from the horrific Nazi regime.

Happy birthday grandma Ruthie, what a wonderful story. Your husband was one of the brave who came to Europe to set us free. We will never forget that. One of the most moving experience I had was my visit to the war memorial in Normamdie. So many, mostly young man have sacrificed their lives for our freedom. Luckily your husband was saves an many years later your Dutch granddaughter shares your story. Many greetings and thanks from a Dutch woman who lives, partly in France

Dear Grandma Ruthie, Thank you so much for the sacrifices that were made by you & your husband during WWII. Congratulations on a life well lived.....101 WOW!! What a wonderful story. Love from Charleston S.C.

Grandma Ruthie I’m from the Texas panhandle. My dad parachuted down on D-day. The plane was off course and dropped the men behind enemy lines. My dad landed in a tree and had to cut himself down while all around he heard bullets and men screaming. He was there 2 days with a badly broken leg until his friend went searching for him and carried him out. He spent the next months in a hospital and six more months stateside in a cast from his waist to his toes. Brave very young men saw the horrors of war. Happy birthday.

Wonderful story. I feel so proud to be an American when I hear stories like this. We stayed in an Air BNB in Normandy years ago and the lady told us wonderful stories of the Americans who liberated their village , it was wonderful! 🇺🇸 😊

Happy birthday and good health to you, Grandma Ruthie. From Fort Myers, Florida USA. My dad was also in France, and later Belgium in WWII. Like you and your wonderful husband, a member of The Greatest Generation.

Such a beautiful story, thank you for sharing it with us. How lovely that you have another Family from a time of conflict filled with love and kindness. I watched your video in tears of remembrance, but also of the wonder of people in those times. My Father and Maternal Grandfather would never talk about what happened and what they saw in the War. My Father's Mother lost her husband due to injuries obtained in WW1 and then 3 Sons to WW2. My Father had wounds from active service in WW2 and one of his Brothers' survived a concentration camp, but we don't know the stories. Every year we celebrate Armistices Day to Remember their service to humanity and how our freedom is due to them. This year 6th June 2024 is 80 years since that eventful day and we remember all that they gave and for many their lives and futures - all for us - lest we forget. I'm writing this a year later, I do hope Grandma Ruthie had a wonderful Birthday and received many messages. I'm writing from England. I also want to say how brave her husband was and how grateful we all are to men like him fighting for our freedom. xx

Louisiana. Thank you Mrs. Ruthie for the many sacrifices you and your husband made 🕊️

That is a wonderful story ! I am from Pennsylvania in the U.S. I took my Dad on a WWII tour a few years back and we visited the beaches of Normandy , I can’t even imagine the bravery and terror those guys, really kids , endured . They were all heroes . Thank You for sharing your story ! God bless your Grandpa and Happy Birthday to your Grandma Ruthie !! ♥✨✨✨✨✨

Wishing Grandma Ruthie a very Happy Birthday from North Carolina, USA.

Happy birthday Grandma Ruthie from Arizona by way of Provence!! I was in happy tears from your story ❤❤

Hello Ruthie, this is such a beautiful story that Marloes told us! You are all people of heart and thanks to that you have enriched your family with the love of this other family. Congratulations on your 100th birthday and may God grant you many more years full of joy and love. I live in the South-West of France, in a magnificent region called Aveyron and I send you a big hug.

Thank ypu for sharing this beautiful story! I am from Germany, but I have lived in the USA since 1993. My husband is Irish, so we have a lot of family in Europe and the USA. I love all the history, that connects us all.

Happy Birthday Grandma Ruthie!🎂 Thank you for sharing this beautiful story with us Marloes! The sacrifices that were made and the beautiful relationships that were built.🥹 Hello from California, and we just recently purchased a second home in France. Love & hugs, Jessica🥰❤️😘xo

Happy Birthday Ruthie! My stepfather, Stanley, landed on the beach at Normandy in the first wave of soldiers. He was one of only two from his company to survive. He would never talk about it! Originally from Boston, he met my mother in New Jersey, but they later settled in Pennsylvania. I live in the mountains of Vermont and wish you great joy, good health and lots of love!

Histoire magnifique merçi de l avoir partagée avec nous! Joyeux anniversaire à votre Grandma!❤

What a beautiful story about your American family. It is heartwarming to know that out of war can come a bond that lasts a lifetime and beyond. Happy 101st birthday grandma Ruthie. 🎉😊

Hello, my father was a Canadian soldier in WWII and spent much of his time in France, Italy and Holland. He was a soldier involved in the liberation of the Dutch people and remembers being treated like a celebrity there when the Dutch were liberated. He was from northern British Columbia in Canada. He served along with two of his brothers and thankfully all returned home safely to the family.

Such a beautiful story. Families aren’t always blood relatives. My sister divorced 40 years ago yet her ex-husband his new wife and daughter still travel hours to join all our family events. Love is love.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, GRANDMA RUTHIE! Very moving story. Thank you for the sacrifices American families made to free my countrie. Angelika from Berlin, Germany

I am from Greece. I know in my heart what the wars left behind in my people and my country. They also left beautiful heartwarming stories like yours. God bless you all. Thank you for sharing with us your family story. ❤

Dear Grandma Ruthie, Happy Birthday! Your story is wonderfull. I am from Austria Vienna and my name is also Ruth. God bless you.

Thank you Marloes for sharing your touching American "Grandparent's" story!

My Uncle John was a colonel in the British Columbia (Canada) tank corps that helped to liberate the Netherlands in 1944. He was decorated by the Dutch Government but never really spoke about his experiences. I think that was typical of that generation. My Dad served in the Royal Canadian Army Service Corps and landed at Juno Beach on "D-Day plus 30". He also travelled with the troops through Holland. Happy Birthday to your Grandma Ruthie!

Happy Birthday, Grandma Ruthie! You're my mom/dad's generation and we feel love and pride for what you and your peers did in the war to preserve decency. Hello from Wisconsin 🍺 😊

Happy birthday grandma Ruthie ….from Midwest USA (Wisconsin). My father too served in WWII on a ship in the South Pacific. Thanks to all who made great sacrifices during that time. Bless you. Thank you for sharing this beautiful story. 🙏❤️😊

What a beautiful story. My father served in the Canadian Air Force in the Second World War. Birthday wishes from Canada.

Such a special dear story. If only mankind could realize we are all the same with the same needs & desires… if we could realize this we could create a heaven on earth. Happy birthday… reaching 101 is a rare gift.. much love from America from a 74 year old. Wishes for much love & continued good health.

Happy 100th birthday Grandma Ruthie! What an amazing story of two families connecting during World War II, and thank you to all who sacrificed for our freedom! From Cary in Alabama, USA

What a moving story. Happy birthday Ruthie .. my ancestors took part in the D Day landings. We owe them so much for their sacrifice love from Scotland ❤

Oh such a wonderful story and very well got given! Ruthie, many happy wishes to you on your birthday! I’m from Illinois and clean house for a lady that will be 100 next March. I’ve cleaned for her for 23 years and she feels like family to me. She’ll make coffee for me at some point in the day and we’ll sit and she’ll share many stories about the wars. Her brother was a Navy pilot so she shares many stories about him as well. So much loss happened that it makes me so sad and broken-hearted for all the families that lost loved ones! Thank you for sharing your card with this RU-vid family!

Happy bday Grandma Ruthie. Being a hundred years old is amazing and you look wonderful!🎂🎉

Merci infiniment, Marloes, d'avoir partagé cette histoire si touchante ! Votre chaîne est un trésor de beauté, de douceur et de gentillesse. Longue et belle vie à Ruthie et à vous tous, votre cœur est si aimant !

Beautiful family story. I wouldn't exist if not for the war. My American military father was stationed in France and met my French mother in Paris just after the war ended.

Happy birthday to Grandma Ruthie, 101🎉❤🎂from Melbourne, Australia ❤thank you for sharing your American family story- beautiful ❤

Dear Grandma Ruthie, a wonderful story! I am a native Californian.

Happy Birthday Grandma Ruthie. Beautiful story. Thank you for sharing. Love from Milwaukee Wisconsin USA

Happy Birthday to Grandma Ruthie!! What an amazing milestone! All best wishes for good health and much happiness on your next trip around the sun!

Happy Birthday Grandma Ruthie, I’m a Brit living in Chicago iL, also lived in the Netherlands for 5 yrs, My ex FIL, was on one of the Tug boats that came to help get soldiers back to UK at Dunkirk

Happy Birthday Ruthie from Goodyear, Arizona! Thank you all for sharing such a beautiful story of love and friendship. God bless! ❣️

Happy Birthday Ruthie.🎉🥳..An amazing achievement..Well done 🦋💐. I am a New Zealander ..My husband is an American and presently we are living in Wyoming US. I love history and the beautiful stories that evolved during world wars .. Even little old New Zealand played its role during both wars ..My paternal grandfather was a soldier in England /France in WW1..at the age of 19 yrs ..My maternal grandfather was in the NZ Navy/ mine sweeper in the Pacific in WW2 ...blown into the water ..Nine hours before they were rescued ..Ended up in Canada ..

Happy Birthday, Grandma Ruthie! What a wonderful story of two families who love each other. Cheers from Boise, Idaho.

Dear grandma Ruthie, you are looking still so vibrant and you are 101! God bless you.

Happy Birthday, Grandma Ruthie! I live in Ks and our next door neighbor who served in France in WWII had a lifelong friend he met in France during the war. Glad you have been able to stay connected to your Norwegian family. A wonderful story!

Dearest Ruthie, from Southport, KwaZulu Natal, South Africa. Many happy returns for each special day. 🎉

I love this story so much Marloes. My Dad was in the Canadian army during WWll and spent many months in Maarsden. He was billeted with a family there and while, like your American grandfather, he spoke very little of the war, he many times told me how he was blessed to have spent time in the Netherlands - with such warm and kind people. He had a small camera and took photos of the family which i still have today. Such special memories during such challenging times.For your Grandma Ruthie- best wishes on the amazing celebration of 101 years. To many more!

Sorry Grandma Ruthie...I did mean love! And thank you Marloes for sharing your family story.

So beautiful! Happy Birthday to your dear American Grandmother Ruthie!! From Maine USA

Thank you for sharing your beautiful, heart touching story! Hello to Grandmother Ruthie!Sending you well wishes (from Alabama) and heartfelt thanks to the Greatest Generation for their service and sacrifices.

Joyeux anniversaire à mamie Ruthie. Mon grand père a été battu pendant la deuxième guerre mondiale en Albanie et toutes ces histoires me touchent vraiment beaucoup. Merci à toi aussi chère Marloe Bisous de Grèce Dina

I was born in Cape Town, South Africa , now I live in Vienna Austria. A really beautiful story, emotional.😍 Happy Birthday 🎉🎂👑🎉

Happy Birthday Grandma Ruthie❤ Thank you for your sacrifices to our servicemen!! I am from Wisconsin, Michigan and am now living in Lake Havasu, Arizona. Be blessed and well. All our love from the USA❤

Marloes - Thank you for sharing this story. It gives one hope - there are so many good people in this world. I'm sorry to read in the comments that your Grandma Ruthie passed. Peace from the southern Oregon Coast, USA.

To one Ruthie from another in Bedfordshire England! Happy Birthday wishes yours is a truly lovely story. My husband's grandparents opened their home in Tottenham, London, England to a young Canadian in the same way it meant so much for them their whole lives to have had the opportunity to share with him the modest life they had. it was no hardship for them but a privilege ❤

There is a liquid acid available from the hardware store called spirit of salt specifically to dissolve cement. You pour it in a bucket and leave the tiles in it overnight. The cement crumbles right off. No scraping needed. Use rubber gloves and a scrub brush.

Happy Birthday Grandma Ruthie❣️🥰💕🎂I thank your husband for his service to the USA and the world‼️ Love from Katy in California ❣️❤️🌻🌻🌻

Happy Birthday Grandma Ruthie from our family in New Zealand. So many wonderfully brave Souls united forever in love.XX Wishing you well and many more birthdays to come. XXX

"Happy Birthday Grandma Ruthie" with lots of live from Ontario, Canada❤

Grandma Ruthie, Happy birthday to you and our very best wishes for the year to come. Both our fathers served in WWII in combat conditions, one in Europe and one in the South Pacific, so we respect and honor the sacrifices you and your husband made. Marloes, one of your best videos yet. We live in the USA, in eastern Washington state. Mike and Susan

Hi Ruthie. Happy birthday. My wife and I watch this channel every chance we get. We live in Belleville, Ontario, Canada. What a wonderful story. Canada and the Netherlands have such an interesting history in the war. There are so many stories of kindness from that time in the midst of the brutality. Luthor and Claire

Happy Birthday Ruthie from El Dorado, Arkansas, USA! My father was a ball turret gunner on a B17 in WWII and flew many missions there. So many stories! Many, many blessings to you and all your families!

Happy birthday "Grandma Ruthie". War is an insidious activity with so much pain and sadness on all sides, however it is lovely to hear of positive stories that have been generated through love and kindness during these times. I applaud you and your husband for your contribution to the wonderful relationship that was developed and has strengthened and grown throughout both families over the years. Best wishes to you and your family. Cheryl - Melbourne, Australia.

Happy Birthday to your American Grandmom. I live in the state of Delaware in the USA and honor you & your generation for fighting for Democracy. Bless you.

Hello Grandma Ruthie! So lovely to hear this story about your husband! Congratulations on your 101 years. Christina from Kansas

What an amazing story! Thank you so much for sharing it. Humans are basically good at heart, and especially your family for befriending a young man far from home. And for both families for continuing that relationship. If everyone in the world could do this war would be a thing of the past.

Oh My..it's really a beautiful story. It's unbelievable how life can connect people from all over the world. I'm from Brasil..so far away but I love all your videos.

All the best to grandma Ruthie's 101 birthday! May you be blessed and have happy days 🍀🌹❣

Thanks to Ruthie and her husband. My family were also lucky as they all came through the war safely. Belated birthday wishes from East Anglia U.K. We had the largest amount of US soldiers here during the WW11 mostly airmen as the land around here is so flat for airstrips.

Happy Birthday Grandma Ruthie! May the warm sun always shine on your happy face!

As a teacher who major in the second ww, I applaud all these stories, which should never be forgotten. Gefeliciteerd met een speciaal verjaardag oma. I come from the Netherlands, but in COVID we moved to central Portugal. Much love, veel Liefs miss Asheba

What a beautiful heartwarming story Marloes. Happy Birthday to Grandma Ruthie, I hope all of our comments warms her heart .. just as your story has ours 🥰

What a lovely story indeed. It brought me right back to my early years in Amsterdam. I was almost 10 when Amsterdam was liberated by the Allied Forces. I think they were mostly Canadian. I remember the tanks rolling in the streets and flags everywhere. Dutch flags ! Much later my American husband and I visited holy ground in Normandy. Your story moved me deeply. A very happy birthday to Grandma Ruthie ! 🇳🇱💕🌷

Beautiful story! Family is where the heart is. Happy Birthday Grandma Ruthie from Auckland, New Zealand x

A beautiful story, I appreciate you sharing it with us. I'm from Georgia in the US. I enjoy your videos and always look forward to your posts. Blessings to you.

What a beautiful story

Happy birthday grandma Ruthie. From London but in reality, from Lisbon.

Happy belated birthday, Ruthie,, I just found this peaceful vlog. I live in Western Michigan about a two block walk from Lake Michigan. My grandfather was a guard for McArthur in the South Pacific. Praying for world peace 🙏🏻💕

I am the youngest son of a royal navy sailor who landed in Normandie (gold) I also live in france. Much love grand Ma !

Happy Birthday grandma Ruthie, thanks for sharing this story of courageous service, and generational kindness and love. Lest we forget. From the ANZAC’s in New Zealand❤

Hola abuela Ruthie. Se que su cumpleaños fue hace unos meses. Hoy mismo acabo de ver este video tan hermoso, decirle que estoy muy emocionada por tanto amor que la rodea. Es usted una mujer muy afortunada, en la vida se sufre pero no hay nada más bonito que sentirse amada por seres tan especiales y amorosos como los que tuvo y tiene con usted. Que Dios la bendiga y le mando un abrazo enorme desde el corazón. Me llamo Carmen y vivo en España.

Hello Ruthie. I am from Dorset in England where many of the US troops were before D-day. My mum was a young girl and remembered the US soldiers being camped there.

Grandma Ruthie, I'm a German follower of your foster grandchild Marloes

To Dearest Grandma Ruthie, Wishing you a very Happy Birthday and May God Bless u. I was really moved by your srory to know that there are wonderful and kind people in this world like you ❤️❤️❤️. Dear Marloes thanks for sharing. ❤️❤️❤️

Hi Grandma Ruthie. I am from Melbourne, Australia and I loved hearing the connection between your family and Marlowe's family. Best wishes Kathleen

What a beautiful story. Happy birthday Grandma Ruthie and thank you for sharing Marloes. I know it's a small thing but watching someone be so gentle with their animals (cows) gives me some faith in humanity. I love your channel so much, it provides me some escape from my daily grind. Much love from Sydney,

Happy Birthday Grandma Ruthie. 🎉 Hope your day was special. 🇦🇺

Histories to touch the hearts but most important to change the life of many and let us to realize that eventhough we are from different countries, cultures, geography we are connected, Sooooooooo cool to hear the village people, YMCA.20:59 nice.

Woohoo!! 🎉🎉🎉 congratulations Grandma Ruthie from Tasmania Australia. You have much to be super proud of & have lived your life well - enjoy the love & good wishes sent your way from all over the world! Thank you Marloes for sharing a wonderful family story with such meaningful deep connections 🥰

Heart warming❤

A big hug to you from Italy, dear Grandma Ruthie 💖

Hello Grandma Ruthie. What an amazingly long life youve been given. Love from Somerset UK.

So wonderful to hear this story! Best wishes to Grandma Ruthie from a Canadian living in Tasmania, with Dutch parents who came from Groningen 💕🌸🌿😊

Happy Birthday, Ruthie, congrats on your 101st!. Greetings from Southwest Ohio in the USA. Your "granddaughter, Marloes, brings me such joy every week in her videos. Wishing you all the best.