The Diary is the debut studio album by the Dutch band The Gentle Storm, consisting of composer and guitarist Arjen Anthony Lucassen and singer and lyricist Anneke van Giersbergen.

Joseph was a young officer serving with the VOC (Verenigde Oost-In-dische Compagnie), or also called the Dutch East India Company.

However, the first ship leaving Batavia, going back to Holland to deliver mail, does not depart until December 1668, so he is unable to send a response to Susanne.

It was a most dangerous trip since they had many encounters with British ships, who were Holland's biggest rivals and competitors at the time, and were in a state of war.

Two months later; on July 1, 1669, Joseph finally arrives back at his house in Lindengracht, only to learn of Susanne's death, and is able to meet his son Michiel for the first time, who is now almost 2 years old.

Joseph finds Susanne's diary containing many entries while he was on his journey, describing many of her thoughts and feelings as well as many other things she wanted to share with him while he was away.

He finds more letters she had written between the diary's pages and then realizes her words and their son, Michiel, is all he has left of Susanne.

All lyrics are written by Anneke van Giersbergen; all music is composed by Arjen Anthony LucassenSources:[3]