It's crazy to think that it's been twelve whole years since I lived in London, and for some reason I can't seem to let it go. It's like a breakup that I never recovered from. I had a rebound fling with Hong Kong, but to my surprise, I still couldn't let London go. So I returned, and returned again, and again, and again, and again. I'm not kidding you. But when I met Ryan, I stopped my wild travel excursions to be taken seriously by my new love. It's been 6 years since I last visited and when Ryan told me we were going to Europe for our Honeymoon, he surprised me with a four day stop in London so I could show him around. This guy knows the way to my heart. It was everything I could have ever dreamed of. The love of my life with me and the "other" love of my life. Tears streamed down my cheeks when the plane landed at Heathrow; I had made it back to my home...Marks & Spencer hummus, Cadbury Flakes, Haribo Starmix, Boots Pharmacy, Costa Coffee, Pret-A-Manger sammies.... were all waiting for me. I know what you're thinking: that I can find all that in the US now! But alas, you will never understand how different it is. I took Ryan to all my favourite old walking spots along the Thames starting at the Eye and making it to The Globe. Visiting my favorite museum, The Tate Modern (which I don't love as much in my 30's, but was so hip when I was 20), checking out The National Theatre, where my fellow classmates and I would catch the latest Helen Mirren play on a Thursday. He even did my old walk to school with me so I could see my old friends, The Giraffes (who I named Goldie and Lucy back in the day) in Regents Park, went to the market in Camden where I would buy earrings to wear out that night on my lunch break.
When it was time to part, I cried. The way to the airport was ripping out my heart strings. I always thought I would settle down in London and live there forever. But I look over and see Ryan next to me. He holds my hand, knowing how hard it is for me but still smiles. I'll always have London to visit, but there's only one perfect person for me, and it's not her, it will always be Ry, a million times over.
Warm Saturday at Portobello Market
Hat: DSW
Bead Necklace: Nordstrom
Tank Top: Forever 21
Jeans: Gap
Shopping Bag: Stumper Fielding on Portobello Road
Shoes: New Balance
PS- most of this is now gone since my luggage was stolen :(
Walking through Regents Park to my old tube stop at St Johns Wood
Scarf: Nordstrom
Sweater: Irene's Story
Jeans: H & M
Earrings: Nordstrom Rack
Glasses: Francesca's
Travel gear needs to be simple and easy so I can mix and match the whole trip!
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