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My Wife Is a Filipina
My Wife Is a Filipina
By Simon Lysdahlgaard
An unforgettable true story of love, visas, and the quiet rebellion of building a life together across continents.
When Simon, a Danish researcher rooted in the cold routines of academia, swipes right on Tinder, he has no idea he’s about to fall into the most unpredictable, passionate, and bureaucratically complicated adventure of his life.
Athina, a Filipina with a career at high-end resorts in the Maldives, is just “traveling Europe” when they match. Their first meeting in Singapore feels like a movie—awkward, magical, full of laughter and jetlag. From there, their love story spans the Vietnamese street food tours, desert safaris in Abu Dhabi, and chaotic Manila Christmases. Along the way come the harder parts too—visa rejections, Danish immigration bureaucracy, cultural misunderstandings, deep-seated prejudice, and a pregnancy that arrives just in time to complicate everything even more.
But this memoir isn’t just about love. It’s about what happens when love meets reality. It's about trying to raise a family while jumping through the flaming hoops of Western immigration systems. It's about learning how to install a bidet, use a Filipino tabo, and rejoin the Danish church just to make your wife feel at home. It's about karaoke, fastelavnsboller, and whether being Asian means you're good at cleaning ( it doesn’t).
Written with disarming honesty and a sharp eye for both cultural nuance and absurdity, My Wife Is a Filipina explores what it means to truly integrate—not just administratively, but emotionally. It's a raw and often hilarious reflection on race, love, power, and how two people from wildly different worlds try to build a home in the narrow spaces allowed by law and tradition.
Whether you’re in an international relationship, wrestling with immigration systems, or just a sucker for heartfelt stories grounded in real life, this memoir is for you.
This is not a love story. This is what happens after the love story begins.
By Simon Lysdahlgaard
An unforgettable true story of love, visas, and the quiet rebellion of building a life together across continents.
When Simon, a Danish researcher rooted in the cold routines of academia, swipes right on Tinder, he has no idea he’s about to fall into the most unpredictable, passionate, and bureaucratically complicated adventure of his life.
Athina, a Filipina with a career at high-end resorts in the Maldives, is just “traveling Europe” when they match. Their first meeting in Singapore feels like a movie—awkward, magical, full of laughter and jetlag. From there, their love story spans the Vietnamese street food tours, desert safaris in Abu Dhabi, and chaotic Manila Christmases. Along the way come the harder parts too—visa rejections, Danish immigration bureaucracy, cultural misunderstandings, deep-seated prejudice, and a pregnancy that arrives just in time to complicate everything even more.
But this memoir isn’t just about love. It’s about what happens when love meets reality. It's about trying to raise a family while jumping through the flaming hoops of Western immigration systems. It's about learning how to install a bidet, use a Filipino tabo, and rejoin the Danish church just to make your wife feel at home. It's about karaoke, fastelavnsboller, and whether being Asian means you're good at cleaning ( it doesn’t).
Written with disarming honesty and a sharp eye for both cultural nuance and absurdity, My Wife Is a Filipina explores what it means to truly integrate—not just administratively, but emotionally. It's a raw and often hilarious reflection on race, love, power, and how two people from wildly different worlds try to build a home in the narrow spaces allowed by law and tradition.
Whether you’re in an international relationship, wrestling with immigration systems, or just a sucker for heartfelt stories grounded in real life, this memoir is for you.
This is not a love story. This is what happens after the love story begins.
218 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 24, 2025
1 person is currently reading
9 people want to read
About the author
Simon Lysdahlgaard
2 books29 followersSimon Lysdahlgaard (b. 1989) is a Danish researcher and writer based in Esbjerg. For more than five years, he has worked in healthcare research with a focus on radiography, radiology, and artificial intelligence, publishing numerous scientific articles and winning international prizes for his work. While science demands precision and strict formats, Simon’s creative writing opens another side of him—one that thrives on storytelling, humor, and cultural encounters.
He is married to Athina, whom he met across borders, and together they are raising their son, Lukas. Their love story, spanning Denmark, the Philippines, and the Maldives, became the foundation for his memoir Min kone er filippiner (My Wife is a Filipina). In it, Simon blends personal experiences with reflections on culture, integration, and family, written in a voice that is both heartfelt and disarmingly honest.
When not immersed in research or writing, Simon draws inspiration from travel, everyday life in Esbjerg, and the cultural bridges he and his family continue to build.
He is married to Athina, whom he met across borders, and together they are raising their son, Lukas. Their love story, spanning Denmark, the Philippines, and the Maldives, became the foundation for his memoir Min kone er filippiner (My Wife is a Filipina). In it, Simon blends personal experiences with reflections on culture, integration, and family, written in a voice that is both heartfelt and disarmingly honest.
When not immersed in research or writing, Simon draws inspiration from travel, everyday life in Esbjerg, and the cultural bridges he and his family continue to build.
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
September 5, 2025
I am not sure I can exactly "review" someone's life and their experience but I think their journey was very encouraging and thought provoking.
Two different cultures coming together and fighting for love.
From the bottom of my heart, I hope that Simon, Athina and Lukas remain healthy and happy.
The worst part was the realization of how bad the international system can be and how important it is for people to realize that these things are happening (as someone who had absolutely no idea about it, I was shocked and so angry) and I feel extremely proud of how Simon called them out.
If I had to focus more on the flow and the narration, this book was sooo well written. The way despite his own struggles, Simon talked and highlighted more about Athina and standing up for her, made me all teary-eyed. Specifically the epilogue (my favorite)
"It's her language, and I've learned to listen."
It made me feel as if I was equally present with them (even though I know that I'll never fully understand the hard struggles they went through). The baby delivery scene had a line that made me actually laugh at how Simon-coded it felt.
"Try tilting the pelvis forward a bit," said the midwife.
"Mine?" I asked.
"No, hers."
"'Right. Of course."
"This is not only the story of a Dane and a Filipina. It's the story of two people who meet and try to build a life, one step at a time. Sometimes in airports, other times in daycares, most often in the middle of everyday life.
Were not perfect. We're not even done. But we're on our way."
Two different cultures coming together and fighting for love.
From the bottom of my heart, I hope that Simon, Athina and Lukas remain healthy and happy.
The worst part was the realization of how bad the international system can be and how important it is for people to realize that these things are happening (as someone who had absolutely no idea about it, I was shocked and so angry) and I feel extremely proud of how Simon called them out.
If I had to focus more on the flow and the narration, this book was sooo well written. The way despite his own struggles, Simon talked and highlighted more about Athina and standing up for her, made me all teary-eyed. Specifically the epilogue (my favorite)
"It's her language, and I've learned to listen."
It made me feel as if I was equally present with them (even though I know that I'll never fully understand the hard struggles they went through). The baby delivery scene had a line that made me actually laugh at how Simon-coded it felt.
"Try tilting the pelvis forward a bit," said the midwife.
"Mine?" I asked.
"No, hers."
"'Right. Of course."
"This is not only the story of a Dane and a Filipina. It's the story of two people who meet and try to build a life, one step at a time. Sometimes in airports, other times in daycares, most often in the middle of everyday life.
Were not perfect. We're not even done. But we're on our way."
August 28, 2025
this book felt like a close companion. i can feel that i'm right there with them in the small magical moments and the messy, bureaucratic ones. the airport goodbyes, pregnancy scans, chaotic family dinners, and the slow, steady work of building a life together
i’m grateful for how vividly scenes are drawn; ordinary moments become quietly brilliant and full of meaning. the chapters about pregnancy, scans, and speaking up to journalists give the memoir a real pulse, it’s personal and political at once
in short: read this because it’s a small, brave companion that will leave you smiling, a little teary, and quietly hopeful about ordinary love.
thank you, simon and athina, for sharing your story with us, for the gentle honesty, & for your gratefulness between the two of you as a couple & parents, and ofc, to your son; this one stays with you
i’m grateful for how vividly scenes are drawn; ordinary moments become quietly brilliant and full of meaning. the chapters about pregnancy, scans, and speaking up to journalists give the memoir a real pulse, it’s personal and political at once
in short: read this because it’s a small, brave companion that will leave you smiling, a little teary, and quietly hopeful about ordinary love.
thank you, simon and athina, for sharing your story with us, for the gentle honesty, & for your gratefulness between the two of you as a couple & parents, and ofc, to your son; this one stays with you
September 30, 2025
My Wife Is A Filipina tells the story of Simon, a Danish researcher, and Athina, an OFW whose fateful swipe on Tinder launches them into a transcontinental relationship. Soon they are faced with the realities of towers of paperwork and never-ending prejudice. This story is about their perseverance despite Western bureaucracy and deeply-ingrained racism while being raw and humorous. We discover what it truly takes to build a life together when law is not compassionate and sometimes, systemically racist.
As a Filipina, it is not new to me how deeply in-grained racism can be socially and systemically; to the point that it’s invisible to people who are not directly victimized by it. This is especially true if it’s between someone from a first world country and someone from a developing country. Despite knowing this, I was surprised by the details of Simon and Athina’s story. I felt the frustration and anger of how they were treated like mere names in a form - people behind the system were indifferent towards a man who is doing what he can to simply be with his family.
The backhanded racism hidden behind jokes definitely hit a spot. I just hate it when highly intelligent and elegant women are reduced to a stereotype of their culture. It is tiring to feel like you have to prove you are an exception to an admittingly factual stereotype. Filipinos even joke about this because there is some truth to it but when you are faced with people and real stories, it is best to let go of that prejudice and move with equal respect.
On a lighter note, I also enjoyed how this book kind of doubles as a travel log. I know how traveling can change lives and how being surrounded by new places and experiences can put your situation in new perspectives. I also loved the tiny bits of conversation between Simon and Athina - especially that remark with abusing stereotypes with butter and flour lol.
Lastly, I would like to thank Simon and Athina for letting us into a tidbit of their lives through this book, writing their experience so vulnerably and sharing their strength to come out of their struggles with more love and appreciation for each other. I felt like a friend witnessing their journey. More than the bureaucracy and deep-rooted stereotypes of a cross-cultural relationship, what I would take away from this book is that it was a testament of love and devotion of a husband and wife to their family.
As a Filipina, it is not new to me how deeply in-grained racism can be socially and systemically; to the point that it’s invisible to people who are not directly victimized by it. This is especially true if it’s between someone from a first world country and someone from a developing country. Despite knowing this, I was surprised by the details of Simon and Athina’s story. I felt the frustration and anger of how they were treated like mere names in a form - people behind the system were indifferent towards a man who is doing what he can to simply be with his family.
The backhanded racism hidden behind jokes definitely hit a spot. I just hate it when highly intelligent and elegant women are reduced to a stereotype of their culture. It is tiring to feel like you have to prove you are an exception to an admittingly factual stereotype. Filipinos even joke about this because there is some truth to it but when you are faced with people and real stories, it is best to let go of that prejudice and move with equal respect.
On a lighter note, I also enjoyed how this book kind of doubles as a travel log. I know how traveling can change lives and how being surrounded by new places and experiences can put your situation in new perspectives. I also loved the tiny bits of conversation between Simon and Athina - especially that remark with abusing stereotypes with butter and flour lol.
Lastly, I would like to thank Simon and Athina for letting us into a tidbit of their lives through this book, writing their experience so vulnerably and sharing their strength to come out of their struggles with more love and appreciation for each other. I felt like a friend witnessing their journey. More than the bureaucracy and deep-rooted stereotypes of a cross-cultural relationship, what I would take away from this book is that it was a testament of love and devotion of a husband and wife to their family.
July 28, 2025
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ - My Wife Is a Filipina by Simon Lysdahlgaard
The book portrays Simon and his wife’s struggle against a bureaucratic system that, instead of helping, works against them during a time when care and understanding are needed most. Throughout the book, Simon is brutally honest and transparent, which only makes you, as a reader, feel like you're right there with them on their journey.
The book offers a snapshot of their life, but it takes you through the full spectrum of emotions. I cried, got chills, felt anger — but most of all, I was filled with warmth reading about the love these two sweet people have for each other. <3
Simon’s voice is raw and real. He masterfully balances vulnerability with humorous analogies.
There are several themes in the book, but the most important takeaway is the message of accepting and embracing ALL people. We all come from different backgrounds, but we’re all here and deserve love and acceptance. In addition, Simon highlights the importance of never giving up — that you can get through anything together with the ones you love.
One of my favorite quotes from the book:
"A love that, against all odds, could overcome distance, cultural differences, and the most complicated piles of paperwork."
This is without a doubt one of the most unflinchingly honest and unfiltered memoirs I’ve ever read — with a touch of romance that I absolutely adore. That’s why I give the book five stars.
The book portrays Simon and his wife’s struggle against a bureaucratic system that, instead of helping, works against them during a time when care and understanding are needed most. Throughout the book, Simon is brutally honest and transparent, which only makes you, as a reader, feel like you're right there with them on their journey.
The book offers a snapshot of their life, but it takes you through the full spectrum of emotions. I cried, got chills, felt anger — but most of all, I was filled with warmth reading about the love these two sweet people have for each other. <3
Simon’s voice is raw and real. He masterfully balances vulnerability with humorous analogies.
There are several themes in the book, but the most important takeaway is the message of accepting and embracing ALL people. We all come from different backgrounds, but we’re all here and deserve love and acceptance. In addition, Simon highlights the importance of never giving up — that you can get through anything together with the ones you love.
One of my favorite quotes from the book:
"A love that, against all odds, could overcome distance, cultural differences, and the most complicated piles of paperwork."
This is without a doubt one of the most unflinchingly honest and unfiltered memoirs I’ve ever read — with a touch of romance that I absolutely adore. That’s why I give the book five stars.
July 31, 2025
Simon Lysdahlgaard reached out and asked if I wanted to read his new book My Wife Is a Filipina – and wow, I’m so glad I said yes 🙌
📖 Have you ever felt trapped in a system with no end in sight? Fallen in love across continents? Screamed as loud as you could, but no one seemed to hear?
That’s exactly what happened to Simon and Athina.
This isn’t just a book – it’s a diary, a love story, and a fight against bureaucracy. It’s their way of processing one hell of a journey ❤️
From a dating app to a life filled with visa applications, deadlines, endless waiting and airport goodbyes – all for love.❤️
But it hasn’t been easy. The Danish system is complicated, and at times it feels like taking two steps back for every one step forward.
And then… just having a baby on top of it all? No.
It’s pressure, paperwork, and a fight for something that should be simple: the right to be together.
I laughed, cried, got angry and couldn’t put the book down.
Simon tells even the most absurd situations with such humor and heart – and it really works.😍
The book is easy to read, moving, and important.
No matter who you are, you’ll get something out of reading this story.
Thank you, Simon, Athina, and of course, little Lukas for sharing your story 💛
📖 Have you ever felt trapped in a system with no end in sight? Fallen in love across continents? Screamed as loud as you could, but no one seemed to hear?
That’s exactly what happened to Simon and Athina.
This isn’t just a book – it’s a diary, a love story, and a fight against bureaucracy. It’s their way of processing one hell of a journey ❤️
From a dating app to a life filled with visa applications, deadlines, endless waiting and airport goodbyes – all for love.❤️
But it hasn’t been easy. The Danish system is complicated, and at times it feels like taking two steps back for every one step forward.
And then… just having a baby on top of it all? No.
It’s pressure, paperwork, and a fight for something that should be simple: the right to be together.
I laughed, cried, got angry and couldn’t put the book down.
Simon tells even the most absurd situations with such humor and heart – and it really works.😍
The book is easy to read, moving, and important.
No matter who you are, you’ll get something out of reading this story.
Thank you, Simon, Athina, and of course, little Lukas for sharing your story 💛
September 7, 2025
I enjoy memoirs because they offer snapshots of lives I’d never otherwise know. But My Wife Is a Filipina is more than a memoir; it’s a love letter.
“What won’t we do for love, when it manages to shine through even the darkest of nights?”
Simon Lysdahlgaard brings his and Athina’s journey vividly to life—honest, engaging, heartfelt, and at times infuriating. I was enraged by the obstacles they faced, yet humbled by the strength with which they endured them together, even across distance.
"It made me realize how crucial it is that we see the person first, not the nationality, not the prejudice."
I was equally enchanted by their travels and the way they embraced each other’s cultures and traditions. Somehow Lysdahlgaard balances vulnerability with humor so seamlessly it feels effortless. If he ever teaches a masterclass in it, I’d sign up in a heartbeat.
"That meant first and foremost: a birthing tub. Not for me, unfortunately, but for Athina."
“Try tilting the pelvis forward a bit,” said the midwife.
“Mine?” I asked.
“No, hers.”
“Right. Of course.”
"Not good, not bad, just exotically American."
And perhaps most beautifully:
"In the Philippines, people live close. Not just physically, but emotionally. People laugh loudly, talk fast and long, and no one is afraid to show feelings. Family is the heart of everything… If someone gets sick, three aunts and a cousin show up with soup and pandesal, and when someone has a baby, well, it’s as if the whole clan gets a baby."
This memoir left me laughing, aching, and reflecting in equal measure. More than a story of two people, it’s a testament to resilience, love, and the beauty of shared humanity.
“What won’t we do for love, when it manages to shine through even the darkest of nights?”
Simon Lysdahlgaard brings his and Athina’s journey vividly to life—honest, engaging, heartfelt, and at times infuriating. I was enraged by the obstacles they faced, yet humbled by the strength with which they endured them together, even across distance.
"It made me realize how crucial it is that we see the person first, not the nationality, not the prejudice."
I was equally enchanted by their travels and the way they embraced each other’s cultures and traditions. Somehow Lysdahlgaard balances vulnerability with humor so seamlessly it feels effortless. If he ever teaches a masterclass in it, I’d sign up in a heartbeat.
"That meant first and foremost: a birthing tub. Not for me, unfortunately, but for Athina."
“Try tilting the pelvis forward a bit,” said the midwife.
“Mine?” I asked.
“No, hers.”
“Right. Of course.”
"Not good, not bad, just exotically American."
And perhaps most beautifully:
"In the Philippines, people live close. Not just physically, but emotionally. People laugh loudly, talk fast and long, and no one is afraid to show feelings. Family is the heart of everything… If someone gets sick, three aunts and a cousin show up with soup and pandesal, and when someone has a baby, well, it’s as if the whole clan gets a baby."
This memoir left me laughing, aching, and reflecting in equal measure. More than a story of two people, it’s a testament to resilience, love, and the beauty of shared humanity.
August 3, 2025
Swipe. What can happen?
Simon and Athina met on tinder by chance, because Antina is visiting Denmark at the same time Simon enter tinder. They both quickly find out that their chemistry was well worth the journey! But had they foreseen which journey they had to go through? With long nights, some times separately and a lot of bureaucracy!
✨”what won’t we do for love, when it manages to shine through even the darkest of nights”
✨”That no matter where you are in the world, as long as you are surrounded by people who love you, then you are home”
✨”We did it” “she said” “Yes,” “I replied” “we did it”
Wow, just wow. First of all, thank you very much to Simon, Athina and little Lukas for the honor of reading your story ❤️ It was so beautifully described, I felt like I was part of their story. I really enjoy the humor, connection, the culture and the love. This book was beautilful but also so hard, sadly a reality for many family. This is not a genre I normally read but I really enjoyed it, huge recommendation from here 🥹❤️
Simon and Athina met on tinder by chance, because Antina is visiting Denmark at the same time Simon enter tinder. They both quickly find out that their chemistry was well worth the journey! But had they foreseen which journey they had to go through? With long nights, some times separately and a lot of bureaucracy!
✨”what won’t we do for love, when it manages to shine through even the darkest of nights”
✨”That no matter where you are in the world, as long as you are surrounded by people who love you, then you are home”
✨”We did it” “she said” “Yes,” “I replied” “we did it”
Wow, just wow. First of all, thank you very much to Simon, Athina and little Lukas for the honor of reading your story ❤️ It was so beautifully described, I felt like I was part of their story. I really enjoy the humor, connection, the culture and the love. This book was beautilful but also so hard, sadly a reality for many family. This is not a genre I normally read but I really enjoyed it, huge recommendation from here 🥹❤️
August 17, 2025
My Wife Is a Filipina by Simon Lysdahlgaard — 4★
This memoir is both informative and eye-opening. I truly appreciate how raw and honest Simon is in narrating his and Athina’s story—how they met through Tinder, found love in an unexpected way, and how time and cultural differences tested their relationship.
Reading this book felt like seeing everything through their eyes. The intensity of the situations they faced and their determination to stay together as a family made my heart race. It powerfully illustrates how the system often fails people in similar circumstances—how they’re constantly rejected, passed from one person to another, without anyone truly listening to their story. It’s heartbreaking, but it’s also the reality, and that’s what I appreciated most about this book.
Thank you so much, Simon, for sharing your story with us. It’s enlightening, and I hope it serves as a beacon of hope for others going through similar struggles. I know your journey isn’t over yet—you’re still fighting—but I wish you, Athina and Lukas nothing but the best!! ❤️🩹
This memoir is both informative and eye-opening. I truly appreciate how raw and honest Simon is in narrating his and Athina’s story—how they met through Tinder, found love in an unexpected way, and how time and cultural differences tested their relationship.
Reading this book felt like seeing everything through their eyes. The intensity of the situations they faced and their determination to stay together as a family made my heart race. It powerfully illustrates how the system often fails people in similar circumstances—how they’re constantly rejected, passed from one person to another, without anyone truly listening to their story. It’s heartbreaking, but it’s also the reality, and that’s what I appreciated most about this book.
Thank you so much, Simon, for sharing your story with us. It’s enlightening, and I hope it serves as a beacon of hope for others going through similar struggles. I know your journey isn’t over yet—you’re still fighting—but I wish you, Athina and Lukas nothing but the best!! ❤️🩹
September 6, 2025
My Wife is a Filipina by Simon Lysdahlgaard
Read: Sep 4-6, 2026
Digital copy gifted by author himself 💓
4.5 stars 🌟
I really loved how this book was told~ It felt like the author was bringing me along with them throughout their journey. From the very beginning up to the present, you can see that their story is still unfolding and that there are more challenges ahead. But reading about everything they’ve already been through was truly moving and inspiring.
I felt like I was part of their journey just by reading this, and I’m genuinely rooting for them. Thank you, Simon, Athina, and of course Baby Lucas, for sharing your story with us. What stood out to me the most was how thoroughly it was written. Every trip they took, from Singapore to Maldives, Denmark, Los Angeles, Taiwan, and more, felt so vivid that I almost felt like I was there with them.
Such a heartfelt and beautifully shared story. <3
Read: Sep 4-6, 2026
Digital copy gifted by author himself 💓
4.5 stars 🌟
I really loved how this book was told~ It felt like the author was bringing me along with them throughout their journey. From the very beginning up to the present, you can see that their story is still unfolding and that there are more challenges ahead. But reading about everything they’ve already been through was truly moving and inspiring.
I felt like I was part of their journey just by reading this, and I’m genuinely rooting for them. Thank you, Simon, Athina, and of course Baby Lucas, for sharing your story with us. What stood out to me the most was how thoroughly it was written. Every trip they took, from Singapore to Maldives, Denmark, Los Angeles, Taiwan, and more, felt so vivid that I almost felt like I was there with them.
Such a heartfelt and beautifully shared story. <3
August 26, 2025
A heartfelt and eye-opening read
My Wife Is a Filipina is a beautiful blend of personal storytelling and cultural reflection. Simon Lysdahlgaard writes with honesty, warmth, and humor, capturing not only the joys of intercultural marriage but also the challenges that come with bridging different worlds.
I appreciated how the book goes beyond stereotypes and instead focuses on real human connection—respect, patience, love, and understanding. It also sheds light on Filipino culture in a way that feels both authentic and deeply affectionate.
Whether you’re in an intercultural relationship yourself, curious about Filipino traditions, or simply looking for an inspiring love story, this book is a comforting and meaningful read.
My Wife Is a Filipina is a beautiful blend of personal storytelling and cultural reflection. Simon Lysdahlgaard writes with honesty, warmth, and humor, capturing not only the joys of intercultural marriage but also the challenges that come with bridging different worlds.
I appreciated how the book goes beyond stereotypes and instead focuses on real human connection—respect, patience, love, and understanding. It also sheds light on Filipino culture in a way that feels both authentic and deeply affectionate.
Whether you’re in an intercultural relationship yourself, curious about Filipino traditions, or simply looking for an inspiring love story, this book is a comforting and meaningful read.
August 12, 2025
The chapter about prejudices really stood out to me. Unfortunately, this is something we also experience here in the Philippines, sometimes even more intensely. There is still a lot of negativity toward this kind of love, especially when a Filipina is involved.
Thank you for sharing your book and telling both your and Athina’s story. I truly appreciate it. I hope many more readers discover it because it is a beautiful and honest work. The narration was smooth and made the reading experience very enjoyable.
I look forward to your future books.
Thank you for sharing your book and telling both your and Athina’s story. I truly appreciate it. I hope many more readers discover it because it is a beautiful and honest work. The narration was smooth and made the reading experience very enjoyable.
I look forward to your future books.
October 20, 2025
Thank you, Simon, for giving me a copy of this book!
I enjoyed it so much I didn’t realize I was done.
I rarely read memoirs. But this was a surprise!!
Full of authenticity, humor and tender, it felt like this was written by someone who LIVED every bit of what he’s telling. Didn’t feel polished or overly curated, it felt REAL.
This is not a fairy-tale romance. It’s a cross-cultural love story with cultural differences, bureaucracy, misunderstandings and frustrations. The honest parts of this book made every page worth flipping.
Such an extraordinary journey. Thank you, Simon and Athina, for sharing your story.
I enjoyed it so much I didn’t realize I was done.
I rarely read memoirs. But this was a surprise!!
Full of authenticity, humor and tender, it felt like this was written by someone who LIVED every bit of what he’s telling. Didn’t feel polished or overly curated, it felt REAL.
This is not a fairy-tale romance. It’s a cross-cultural love story with cultural differences, bureaucracy, misunderstandings and frustrations. The honest parts of this book made every page worth flipping.
Such an extraordinary journey. Thank you, Simon and Athina, for sharing your story.
September 11, 2025
“𝐒𝐡𝐞 𝐝𝐨𝐞𝐬𝐧’𝐭 𝐣𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐟𝐞𝐞𝐥 𝐞𝐱𝐢𝐥𝐞𝐝, 𝐬𝐡𝐞 𝐟𝐞𝐞𝐥𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐠𝐨𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐧. 𝐀𝐧𝐝 𝐈... 𝐈 𝐟𝐞𝐞𝐥 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐈’𝐯𝐞 𝐛𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐫𝐞𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐚 𝐜𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐟𝐢𝐥𝐞. 𝐍𝐨𝐭 𝐚 𝐟𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫, 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐚 𝐡𝐮𝐬𝐛𝐚𝐧𝐝, 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐣𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐚𝐧 𝐞𝐫𝐫𝐨𝐫 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐲𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐦.”
It honestly took me a while to finish this book, not because it was bad, but because I kept getting emotional while reading. I found myself pausing so many times, upset that this is the reality people don’t always see. What Simon and Athina went through isn’t just a love story, it’s the truth of what it means to love across borders.
My Wife is a Filipina is Simon Lysdahlgaard’s memoir about his life with Athina, a Filipina woman he met, fell in love with, and fought to build a future with.
From the very beginning, I felt pulled into their journey. Reading about their hardships was painful because it wasn’t just a story, it was someone’s lived reality. I found myself upset and heartbroken at what they had to endure just to be together. At the same time, I admired the strength that radiates from both of them.
One of my favorite parts of this memoir is how Simon embraced Filipino culture. Most foreigners go through culture shock, but Simon adapted with openness and patience. He didn’t shy away from traditions, humor or quirks, he stepped into them with love.
There were moments that broke my heart, especially when Athina went through pregnancy without Simon by her side. He wanted so badly to be there, and I could feel his frustration and helplessness across the pages. But what touched me most was how he still prepared for everything, even from afar. It showed how responsible and committed he was, the kind of partner who steps up no matter the distance.
The book isn’t all heavy. It had lighter, funny moments that made me laugh out loud. Like Simon joking about just wanting to sleep for a week when they landed in Denmark, or the hilarious honesty during childbirth (because really, asking a woman in labor how she’s feeling is diabolical 🤣). The birthing scenes were both raw and exhausting, especially the part about the midwife leaving mid-stitch. I was like… what?! Athina had to wait four hours to be stitched up completely. Her strength through it all amazed me.
But then the book would hit me hard again with the realities of immigration and integration. The sheer amount of requirements for them to stay together. Danish classes, integration contracts, mandatory meetings, endless paperwork, it felt suffocating to even read about. And what broke me most was Athina having to take her Danish test only three weeks after giving birth. Can you imagine the pressure and exhaustion? Yet she passed, without a single mistake. Simon’s pride in her was so heartfelt, and I found myself just as proud reading it. She truly deserves a medal for everything she went through.
And since this memoir is told entirely from Simon’s perspective, I couldn’t help but think how much more powerful it would be to also read Athina’s side of the story. To know what she felt through all the waiting, sacrifices, and adjustments. In truth, what’s written here is only a fraction of what they both endured to build the family they have now.
The epilogue made my heart warm after all the struggles. Reading about Simon, Athina and their son Lukas finally being able to travel together as a family was beautiful. It felt like such a gift after everything they endured. Yes, they had to learn how to be first-time parents while juggling endless hurdles, but in the end, they still found joy together. It was the perfect way to close this memoir, showing that love, though tested, can bloom into something even stronger.
Anyhow, I’d also like to thank my friends Maria and Shruti for reading this with me. I asked them to buddy read it, but they finished it before me, and somehow they also felt the hardship of being a Filipino citizen. I always told them the things that really pissed me off..like the way some people dismiss marriages like theirs with the phrase, “Isang pinay na naman ang nakaraos sa buhay” (“Another Filipina who has managed to escape hardship in life”). I often hear or read this whenever I see interracial vloggers sharing their lives with their families, and it’s so easy for others to mock them. What they don’t realize is how unfair and untrue that stereotype is. It takes immense strength, sacrifice and patience to love across borders. Like Athina, she fought, endured and proved her resilience every step of the way. That kind of love and courage deserves respect, not mockery.
Like Maria said, this memoir feels like a love letter from Simon to Athina, and to little Lukas. It’s proof that love isn’t just about fairy tales. It’s about sacrifice, patience, humor and strength. It’s about choosing each other again and again, even when the world makes it so hard.
And finally, thank you, Simon Lysdahlgaard, for sharing My Wife is a Filipina. Anyone who ever questions their love should read this book. It’s more than a memoir, it’s a lesson in what it truly means to be a responsible, devoted partner, to stand firm through trials, and to keep choosing each other no matter how difficult the journey becomes. This book should honestly be required reading for anyone who wants to understand what love, sacrifice and commitment look like in real life.
By the end, I wished their family nothing but happiness, good health and for Athina to gain the permanent residence in the next few years. Because she deserves that stability after everything. I also hope that one day, when Lukas is older, he’ll read this memoir and see the full measure of his parents’ love. The struggles they endured, the sacrifices they made and the joy they still managed to hold onto through it all.
𝐁𝐞𝐜𝐚𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐡𝐞 𝐡𝐚𝐝 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐭:
𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐧𝐨 𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝, 𝐚𝐬 𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐬 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐝 𝐛𝐲 𝐩𝐞𝐨𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝐰𝐡𝐨 𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮, 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐡𝐨𝐦𝐞.
It honestly took me a while to finish this book, not because it was bad, but because I kept getting emotional while reading. I found myself pausing so many times, upset that this is the reality people don’t always see. What Simon and Athina went through isn’t just a love story, it’s the truth of what it means to love across borders.
My Wife is a Filipina is Simon Lysdahlgaard’s memoir about his life with Athina, a Filipina woman he met, fell in love with, and fought to build a future with.
From the very beginning, I felt pulled into their journey. Reading about their hardships was painful because it wasn’t just a story, it was someone’s lived reality. I found myself upset and heartbroken at what they had to endure just to be together. At the same time, I admired the strength that radiates from both of them.
One of my favorite parts of this memoir is how Simon embraced Filipino culture. Most foreigners go through culture shock, but Simon adapted with openness and patience. He didn’t shy away from traditions, humor or quirks, he stepped into them with love.
There were moments that broke my heart, especially when Athina went through pregnancy without Simon by her side. He wanted so badly to be there, and I could feel his frustration and helplessness across the pages. But what touched me most was how he still prepared for everything, even from afar. It showed how responsible and committed he was, the kind of partner who steps up no matter the distance.
The book isn’t all heavy. It had lighter, funny moments that made me laugh out loud. Like Simon joking about just wanting to sleep for a week when they landed in Denmark, or the hilarious honesty during childbirth (because really, asking a woman in labor how she’s feeling is diabolical 🤣). The birthing scenes were both raw and exhausting, especially the part about the midwife leaving mid-stitch. I was like… what?! Athina had to wait four hours to be stitched up completely. Her strength through it all amazed me.
But then the book would hit me hard again with the realities of immigration and integration. The sheer amount of requirements for them to stay together. Danish classes, integration contracts, mandatory meetings, endless paperwork, it felt suffocating to even read about. And what broke me most was Athina having to take her Danish test only three weeks after giving birth. Can you imagine the pressure and exhaustion? Yet she passed, without a single mistake. Simon’s pride in her was so heartfelt, and I found myself just as proud reading it. She truly deserves a medal for everything she went through.
And since this memoir is told entirely from Simon’s perspective, I couldn’t help but think how much more powerful it would be to also read Athina’s side of the story. To know what she felt through all the waiting, sacrifices, and adjustments. In truth, what’s written here is only a fraction of what they both endured to build the family they have now.
The epilogue made my heart warm after all the struggles. Reading about Simon, Athina and their son Lukas finally being able to travel together as a family was beautiful. It felt like such a gift after everything they endured. Yes, they had to learn how to be first-time parents while juggling endless hurdles, but in the end, they still found joy together. It was the perfect way to close this memoir, showing that love, though tested, can bloom into something even stronger.
Anyhow, I’d also like to thank my friends Maria and Shruti for reading this with me. I asked them to buddy read it, but they finished it before me, and somehow they also felt the hardship of being a Filipino citizen. I always told them the things that really pissed me off..like the way some people dismiss marriages like theirs with the phrase, “Isang pinay na naman ang nakaraos sa buhay” (“Another Filipina who has managed to escape hardship in life”). I often hear or read this whenever I see interracial vloggers sharing their lives with their families, and it’s so easy for others to mock them. What they don’t realize is how unfair and untrue that stereotype is. It takes immense strength, sacrifice and patience to love across borders. Like Athina, she fought, endured and proved her resilience every step of the way. That kind of love and courage deserves respect, not mockery.
Like Maria said, this memoir feels like a love letter from Simon to Athina, and to little Lukas. It’s proof that love isn’t just about fairy tales. It’s about sacrifice, patience, humor and strength. It’s about choosing each other again and again, even when the world makes it so hard.
And finally, thank you, Simon Lysdahlgaard, for sharing My Wife is a Filipina. Anyone who ever questions their love should read this book. It’s more than a memoir, it’s a lesson in what it truly means to be a responsible, devoted partner, to stand firm through trials, and to keep choosing each other no matter how difficult the journey becomes. This book should honestly be required reading for anyone who wants to understand what love, sacrifice and commitment look like in real life.
By the end, I wished their family nothing but happiness, good health and for Athina to gain the permanent residence in the next few years. Because she deserves that stability after everything. I also hope that one day, when Lukas is older, he’ll read this memoir and see the full measure of his parents’ love. The struggles they endured, the sacrifices they made and the joy they still managed to hold onto through it all.
𝐁𝐞𝐜𝐚𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐡𝐞 𝐡𝐚𝐝 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐭:
𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐧𝐨 𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝, 𝐚𝐬 𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐬 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐝 𝐛𝐲 𝐩𝐞𝐨𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝐰𝐡𝐨 𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮, 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐡𝐨𝐦𝐞.
August 17, 2025
This is not your typical love story between two different nationalities. This is not a fairytale, but instead it speaks of the reality of life - both the good and the bad. That's why I love this book. It's authentic, raw, and you can feel the emotions through the words.
A swipe that changed everything, that's how their story began. I am a witness of love stories that blossomed from dating apps, each story unique from one another. What I like about Simon (Dane) and Athina (Filipina) is that they have an identity on their own - both working through their ways on their own chosen fields. My impression is that when they date, they will date to marry. They are serious about this crucial choice in one's life.
Everything about Simon and Athina are in contrast - nationality, culture and tradition, language, weather, bureaucracy, but they exerted so much effort just to land on the same page. Each of them adjusting and compromising - the things that make love, magical.
I can say that this memoir is unfiltered, not sugar coated type of story that only tells of the good things. The reality of being an OFW (Overseas Filipino Worker) that bore the breadwinner title and as what the author himself named one of the chapters "Deep-Fried Prejudices". I know that everyone is entitled of his/her own opinion but I think there must be a limit to that, a boundary to respect people's feelings. Words are two-edged swords, it can either make or break a person. It's truly sad that some people are really quick to judge and felt superior over other nationalities. Maybe it's time to have an open mind about this matter.
Moving on to the good things. I love how the author explained in detail our culture. Yes I'm a fellow Filipina that keeps smiling whenever I read the parts which showcased Filipino culture because the description is accurate and I think non-Filipino readers will have a glimpse of what Filipino culture is because of this book. May I add that aside from our culture, the author also emphasizes a Filipina's nature - not only good-looking individuals but a person of faith, strength, courage, and full of love.
I may not know them personally but I am grateful for all the people that helped them on their journey. I felt that way because the author's writing style gave me an experience like conversing with a friend of whom you never see for a very long time.
Overall I really enjoyed the book and everything's really worth it in the end. This is a must read! A memoir full of faith, hope, courage, sacrifice, and of course, love.
A swipe that changed everything, that's how their story began. I am a witness of love stories that blossomed from dating apps, each story unique from one another. What I like about Simon (Dane) and Athina (Filipina) is that they have an identity on their own - both working through their ways on their own chosen fields. My impression is that when they date, they will date to marry. They are serious about this crucial choice in one's life.
Everything about Simon and Athina are in contrast - nationality, culture and tradition, language, weather, bureaucracy, but they exerted so much effort just to land on the same page. Each of them adjusting and compromising - the things that make love, magical.
I can say that this memoir is unfiltered, not sugar coated type of story that only tells of the good things. The reality of being an OFW (Overseas Filipino Worker) that bore the breadwinner title and as what the author himself named one of the chapters "Deep-Fried Prejudices". I know that everyone is entitled of his/her own opinion but I think there must be a limit to that, a boundary to respect people's feelings. Words are two-edged swords, it can either make or break a person. It's truly sad that some people are really quick to judge and felt superior over other nationalities. Maybe it's time to have an open mind about this matter.
Moving on to the good things. I love how the author explained in detail our culture. Yes I'm a fellow Filipina that keeps smiling whenever I read the parts which showcased Filipino culture because the description is accurate and I think non-Filipino readers will have a glimpse of what Filipino culture is because of this book. May I add that aside from our culture, the author also emphasizes a Filipina's nature - not only good-looking individuals but a person of faith, strength, courage, and full of love.
I may not know them personally but I am grateful for all the people that helped them on their journey. I felt that way because the author's writing style gave me an experience like conversing with a friend of whom you never see for a very long time.
Overall I really enjoyed the book and everything's really worth it in the end. This is a must read! A memoir full of faith, hope, courage, sacrifice, and of course, love.
August 4, 2025
I started to read the book with the feeling of KILIG—a kind of excitement when two people with different cultural backgrounds collide, from a swipe right, to being matched, then from witty and funny exchange of texts, to first meeting in Singapore, then there’s love, then a drive to build a future together—but the journey? It wasn’t easy.
My feelings changed «when love meets reality»—indeed not a fairytale kind of love, but the compliance with bureaucracy, pain from prejudice, and life’s twists and turns. Intense feelings, and GIGIL(tagalog word, grinning out of anger) hit me. Then everything made sense, if you want something, the universe won’t just conspire you to achieve it (this is a famous one from The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho) but with a blend of hard work, patience, will to never give up, and yes, TEAMWORK to make it to the goal: build a life together, as a family.
The story is inspiring, raw, honest, chaotic, sad, but what i like the most is that, it is love-driven.
«What we dont do for love?»
PS: i like the metaphors while Simon tells story with a blend of humor as well.
My feelings changed «when love meets reality»—indeed not a fairytale kind of love, but the compliance with bureaucracy, pain from prejudice, and life’s twists and turns. Intense feelings, and GIGIL(tagalog word, grinning out of anger) hit me. Then everything made sense, if you want something, the universe won’t just conspire you to achieve it (this is a famous one from The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho) but with a blend of hard work, patience, will to never give up, and yes, TEAMWORK to make it to the goal: build a life together, as a family.
The story is inspiring, raw, honest, chaotic, sad, but what i like the most is that, it is love-driven.
«What we dont do for love?»
PS: i like the metaphors while Simon tells story with a blend of humor as well.
August 31, 2025
Finished reading the beautiful story of Athina and Simon (and Lukas), what a journey it was! Felt a lot of emotions while reading the book and you couldn’t stop reading until your eyes are begging for rest. It was written beautifully with gentle humor and genuinely from the heart of a husband and a father, full of love.
Honestly, their story could be a blockbuster film! My reading experience was immersive. I felt like I was right there with them, traveling from place to place and going through the process of handling the paperworks, feeling both the tension and relief that came with their determination to fight for love, no matter the obstacles. I also felt the joy and honest realities of welcoming a baby. Those tender moments, the challenges, and the overwhelming desire to give them all the love and care they need.
Overall, this book “My Wife is a Filipina” speaks to everyone, a beautiful story that anyone can relate to and learn from.
I would give this book 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
An absolute five-star read! Highly recommended! 🤍
•Honest review from a Filipina.
Honestly, their story could be a blockbuster film! My reading experience was immersive. I felt like I was right there with them, traveling from place to place and going through the process of handling the paperworks, feeling both the tension and relief that came with their determination to fight for love, no matter the obstacles. I also felt the joy and honest realities of welcoming a baby. Those tender moments, the challenges, and the overwhelming desire to give them all the love and care they need.
Overall, this book “My Wife is a Filipina” speaks to everyone, a beautiful story that anyone can relate to and learn from.
I would give this book 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
An absolute five-star read! Highly recommended! 🤍
•Honest review from a Filipina.
October 10, 2025
My Wife Is a Filipina by Simon Lysdahlgaard
Some stories remind you that love isn’t always soft... Sometimes it’s stubborn, bureaucratic, and still breathtakingly worth it.
It felt like a privilege to witness Simon and Athina’s love through these pages. It reminded me that love can take many forms — built not only on romance but also on visa applications, cultural confusion, laughter, and a fierce kind of devotion that refuses to quit.
What I absolutely loved about this book is how you can feel Simon’s love for his wife in every line — gentle, patient, often hilarious. And through the story itself, you feel Athina’s love too: grounded, brave, and endlessly loyal.
As a Filipina, this hit deeper. I work with a few international clients and know people who’ve lived through similar stories. I know the prejudice, the quiet strength, the fight to belong. And while what Simon and Athina went through isn’t new, it still shakes you. The bureaucracy, the racism, the sheer unfairness of it all.
But in this book lies also a striking beauty of choosing love even when it costs you comfort, convenience, and certainty.
Because in the end, this story reminds you: love is worth it when you choose to make it worth it.
Thank you, Simon for letting me read your story. I cannot wait what's in store for you and your family.
Some stories remind you that love isn’t always soft... Sometimes it’s stubborn, bureaucratic, and still breathtakingly worth it.
It felt like a privilege to witness Simon and Athina’s love through these pages. It reminded me that love can take many forms — built not only on romance but also on visa applications, cultural confusion, laughter, and a fierce kind of devotion that refuses to quit.
What I absolutely loved about this book is how you can feel Simon’s love for his wife in every line — gentle, patient, often hilarious. And through the story itself, you feel Athina’s love too: grounded, brave, and endlessly loyal.
As a Filipina, this hit deeper. I work with a few international clients and know people who’ve lived through similar stories. I know the prejudice, the quiet strength, the fight to belong. And while what Simon and Athina went through isn’t new, it still shakes you. The bureaucracy, the racism, the sheer unfairness of it all.
But in this book lies also a striking beauty of choosing love even when it costs you comfort, convenience, and certainty.
Because in the end, this story reminds you: love is worth it when you choose to make it worth it.
Thank you, Simon for letting me read your story. I cannot wait what's in store for you and your family.
August 23, 2025
I read the book “My Wife is Filipino” yesterday; it is truly good and informative. There are so many themes beyond just finding love across borders and regulations. Strong perspectives from a modern man with emotions, on becoming new parents, and on racism. I’m really glad I read the book, which I also couldn’t put down. Thank you for using your voice — the book really encourages healthy and much-needed debates.
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