Henrik, Shi and their children Håkon and Sonja at the smallholding at Snørebråt outside Flekkefjord

Listermoving here

Job, security and closeness: Why they chose Flekkefjord

Henrik and Shi met online as teenagers. Now they live on a smallholding dating back to the 1700s

Written by

Region Lister

22 September 2026 · 9 min read

Henrik (32), Shi (31), Håkon (20 months) and Sonja (two months) now live out their family life on a smallholding at Snørebråt with roots dating back to the 1700s, ten kilometres outside Flekkefjord. The road here has been a long one – both geographically and in time – and it actually began online, long before Facebook, Tinder and algorithms took over our love lives.

It all began with scouting. As a 16-year-old, Henrik took part in Jota Joti – an international scouting event where young people from around the world connected via radio and the internet. There he chatted with scouts from Egypt, Brazil, the USA – and Malaysia, among others. Fascinated by how easy it was to make friends globally, he went on to log into Tagged, an early precursor to Facebook.

In 2009, Shi reached out. She was 15, he was 16. The connection was instant. They talked every day on MSN and Skype, and what started as friendship quickly grew into love. The following year they became a couple – without ever having met in person.

Online love – long before Tinder

In 2014, after five years of daily contact, Henrik travelled to Malaysia to meet Shi and her family in the city of Klang, where she had moved at the age of 12. Both sides had their doubts. After all, they came from opposite sides of the world. Shi was the only daughter among four siblings, and the family was naturally protective.

Still, the visit was a success. Henrik was warmly welcomed by the extended family, experienced everyday Malaysian life, went sightseeing – and encountered a cuisine completely different from what he was used to. After several visits, the family understood the relationship was serious.

First meeting – and doubts on both sides

Shi is of Chinese ethnicity. Her great-grandfather came from China to Malaysia around 1920, at just ten years old, and got work on a fishing boat. Shrimp fishing became the family's livelihood, and the necessary permit to do so has been passed down through generations – from great-grandfather to grandfather, and on to Shi's father.

Extended family holds a strong position in Malaysia. The country consists of three main ethnic groups – Malays, Chinese and Indians – and the economy is stable, based partly on the oil industry. Most people belong to the middle class, and emigration is low. Family is the very foundation of society, and the terms "aunt" and "uncle" are as much about generation as biology.

The collective is at the centre. Everyone takes responsibility for each other. It reminds me of a Norway the way I've been told it used to be – social, close-knit and safe.
Henrik Susort, on Malaysia as his second home

From Gjøvik to a world wedding

Henrik describes Malaysia as his second home. The elderly are never left alone. They're well cared for by all their grown children, moving from child to child as it suits them. In turn, the elderly help out with the grandchildren and lighten the load for the parents.

"It's good for mental health and for the family unit," says Henrik.

In 2018, after completing his tourism education, Henrik got a job at Sveastranda camping site in Gjøvik. That same summer, Shi moved to Norway, followed by a visit from an uncle and aunt.

In October 2018, they got married in Norway with close family present. The big wedding came later: in 2023, a traditional Malaysian grand wedding was celebrated in Klang with 400 guests, dancing lions, fantastic food – and karaoke. Henrik wore a Rogaland bunad, Shi a Chinese folk costume. Guests gave money as gifts to help cover the wedding costs, as tradition dictates, so that everyone can afford a big family wedding.

Håkon og Sonja, barna til Henrik og Shi — Håkon (20 months) and Sonja (two months) are Flekkefjord's two newest residents.

A shift in values – and an axe that changed everything

When Henrik was a teenager, he found an old axe on a small island off Sandnes. He cleaned it up and discovered that beneath the rust was an axe of top quality – and that sparked an interest in things built to last, the original, and things that can be used for generations.

This in turn led to an interest in a time when everything was made with care, quality and love, in contrast to today, when everything seems to be made quickly, cheaply and almost designed to fall apart. This interest grew until it escalated into a wish to renovate an entire smallholding with the same quality and love people put into things in the old days.

The couple also increasingly noticed social parallels between the old Norwegian farming community and the way of life in Malaysia: community, extended family and security.

The smallholding at Snørebråt

In January 2022, the dream property appeared in a Facebook group: a smallholding with roots dating back to the 1700s at Snørebråt, with 112 mål (about 11 hectares) of land. The smallholding includes a schoolhouse, a barn, two boathouses, a garden and outlying land. The property also includes the viewpoint Forekammen, with a historic trail. A footpath runs from Kvellandsstrand up to the top. Right up until the 1960s, this was the main route to Snørebråt, via the sea. After much back and forth, they took over the property in June 2022.

The smallholding had stood empty since 1994, and there was much work to be done. At the time, they were living in Hommersåk in Sandnes and commuted to Flekkefjord almost every weekend to renovate.

He's incredibly skilled.
Shi Susort, on Henrik's renovation work

Becoming parents brought new priorities

In spring 2024, little Håkon came into the world. Priorities shifted. They had become a small family, and it became even more important to realise their dream of a more family-friendly everyday life.

Despite an exciting job at the destination marketing agency Region Stavanger and a comfortable life in Hommersåk, something kept pulling at them: the calm family life of the countryside. They wanted to give their future children freedom, nature and space. And perhaps a taste of the community and closeness that only a small place can offer.

Flekkefjord – job, security and balance

In March 2025, Shi got a job at Kringlatoppen kindergarten, and the family moved to Flekkefjord.

Through his network, Henrik met Frode Johannessen, general manager of Smaabyen Flekkefjord. He saw potential in bringing in someone who could help local businesses with digital marketing. As a result, Henrik was hired in a new 80% position as digital marketing consultant for Smaabyen, which leases him out to several other businesses. The pieces fell into place for both Henrik and Shi, and in August 2025 Henrik started his job in Flekkefjord.

I feel more valued. Here I'm an important part of the whole. Being seen and heard, and appreciated for your experience and skills, means a lot. That's how it feels now. It feels good.
Henrik Susort, on his job in Flekkefjord

Both point to a shorter commute, a better work–life balance and the close-knit local community in Abelnes as decisive factors. The family thrives in the close, welcoming environment.

"I've heard there are now around 50 children here. There's a wonderful community hall with lots of activities, and we've been warmly welcomed by our neighbours and the people in the area. There's a closeness between people here that we missed when we lived in a densely populated neighbourhood before," says Henrik enthusiastically.

Henrik emphasises how important the network at Smaabyen Flekkefjord and Region Lister has been. If you or your family are considering betting on small-town life, he recommends reaching out to Frode Johannessen, general manager of Smaabyen Flekkefjord.

"He was an important door-opener for me. He can put you in touch with employers who might be looking for exactly your skills. There's also a focus here on the 'Job for two' concept, where Smaabyen is happy to help both partners land safely in a new everyday life."

Freedom on their own terms

In autumn 2025, Shi became a Norwegian citizen after a long paperwork process. At the same time, the family was expecting their second child. The pieces were finally falling into place on every front.

For Henrik and Shi, life at Snørebråt is about freedom – the freedom to be a family on their own terms:

"Here there's no one you have to worry about disturbing. Want bees, you can have bees. Want chickens or goats, go ahead. Want to light a bonfire with the family, you just do it," says Henrik.

In mid-November 2025, another little Flekkefjord native came into the world – Sonja. We warmly welcome Henrik, Shi, Håkon and Sonja to Flekkefjord. The smallholding adventure continues.

Follow life on the smallholding on Instagram: @snorebrat