It was triple the fun when 17-year-old sisters Chelsea, Kelsey and Sydney Leeuw attended their matric ball on Wednesday October 5.
The triplets opted not to take partners to Heideveld High’s matric ball, as they did not want to “spoil the special connection” they have.
The triplets wore similar dresses, but Chelsea revealed that she initially did not want to wear a dress to the ball.
“Sydney convinced me to wear a dress, and then we all ended up with similar styles, just different colours,” Chelsea said.
Their mother, Zhaan Leeuw, said she was in denial when the doctor told her she was having three babies, but despite the initial shock, she said they have only been a big blessing to her and their family.
And just like the blessings they are, others lined up to help them look their best and travel in style to their matric ball.
Nicky’s Bridal and Eveningwear shop in Woodstock donated their dresses, community youth leader Estwynn Malgas arranged their car, nails and photography, a neighbour donated cupcakes and Kelsey did all three of their hairstyles.
Ms Leeuw is so grateful for all the help, and thanked all those who made her daughters’ day special.
“The last two weeks before their matric ball, I was in tears. I had no idea where I would find the funds to give them the matric ball send-off that they so deserve. Proud is an understatement when it comes to them, and that is why I wanted to give them the best. I am so happy it all worked out well. They could have easily dropped out of school, especially over lockdown, when attending school was limited, hence me being beyond proud of them,” she said.
Kelsey said she’d go back in a heartbeat just to experience the day again.
“We are grateful for our parents, because we know it was a struggle for our mommy to pull it off. I wouldn’t trade that moment for anything. I am so happy we got to experience it,” Kelsey said.
Chelsea hopes to study business management, while Kelsey has set her mind on being an entrepreneur, and Sydney would like to study criminology. Although they have not applied at a tertiary institution yet, their older sister, Gelaichia Hoffman, 22, who is a first-year social work student at Stellenbosch University, promised to help them gather all the information they need.