Feature'It's everything for us' – how Liverpool played vital role in OLSC love story
Liverpool FC has brought people from all walks of life together throughout its history - and for newly married Kim and Dirk, that is truer than most.
The Reds are intertwined in their love story, which has seen the couple go from friends to husband and wife after a chance encounter during an OLSC (Official Liverpool Supporters Club) meet-up.
Dirk, who is originally from Antwerp, and Kim, who is from Rotterdam, met in 2017 at a social event bringing together the Dutch and Flemish supporters clubs.
They are both huge Liverpool fans - Kim is the chairperson of OLSC Netherlands - and they initially bonded over their passion for the club.
And ever since their romantic journey began, following the team has played a vital role in every step of their relationship.
"We met each other at a gig - the Flemish Reds," Dirk recalled. "There was a party I think with Robbie Fowler. That was the first glimpse of Kim that I saw and then another gig and another gig and another gig… the story goes on!"
After their budding romance turned serious, in 2023 the pair paid a visit to the AXA Training Centre, where Kim had hatched a very special secret plan.
With the help of then-assistant manager Pepijn Lijnders, who is a friend of the couple, she proposed to Dirk in front of head coach Jürgen Klopp and the whole Liverpool playing squad.
"We love each other as much as Liverpool! It has been a passion for all my life," said Kim. "It's been his passion all his life too, and now we get to share it together and there's no better thing than that."
They tied the knot in late May on Merseyside, ahead of the final game of the season against Crystal Palace, when Liverpool lifted the Premier League trophy in front of supporters.
On the big day, and in keeping with the common theme throughout, there was a strong LFC feel, with former player and coach Sammy Lee a best man and ex-goalkeeper Bruce Grobbelaar walking Kim down the aisle and giving her away.
George Sephton - who has recently retired as Anfield announcer after more than 50 years of service - was also the DJ for the special occasion.
"Bruce Grobbelaar walked me down the aisle and Sammy Lee was one of the two best men," Kim explained. "We've gotten to know them over the years because we go to Hotel TIA a lot when we go to the games.
"We've gotten to know them very well and when we invited them to the wedding and asked them to be a very special part they said yes straight away. It was absolutely amazing."
Following the ceremony nearby, they also paid a special visit to the recently unveiled Virgil van Dijk mural in L4, playing a very small part in its completion as part of a wedding present.
Dirk said: "That was a gift from Sammy and Bruce. They took us with the painter to the Virgil mural, and we could actually go up on the escalator and spray it a little bit. That was more than enough for us!
"It went viral that day as well when we helped out with the mural. There were people saying on social media we had 70,000 [interactions] - but we were having our wedding! That wasn't supposed to happen, but we're glad it did."
As the pair move into the next phase of their relationship, both Liverpool the club and the city remain a hugely important part of their future together.
"It's everything for us," Dirk added. "It's the passion and the emotion, especially the wins, but also the losses too.
"It's the bonding with supporters and comrades all over the world and coming to the city. We love this city, and we love these people. It's a fantastic place to be every time we come."
Find out more about OLSCs here.