Dear England, My Old Friend
Sunday, July 12, 2009 at 4:06PM | Becks Davis Dear England,
I miss you, my old friend.
I know you probably won't believe me, but it’s true. Yes, I know I haven’t called, I’m sorry. I could have sent an email or text, hell, I didn’t even write on your Facebook wall. It’s just a bit too soon. I’m trying to get settled here in the States, in Detroit.
I enjoyed our time together and I want you to know you that you will always hold a special place in my heart.
I wouldn’t be who I am today without the time we spent together. You have given me so much and I've grown in amazing ways since we first met.
You even introduced me to my husband, thanks for that. It was your history, traditions, and charm that first set my heart racing. And I miss so many things about you.
I miss the New Forest, which was just minutes from our home. In 1079, William the Conqueror declared this land his royal hunting forest and in 2005 it became a national park. I love the wild ponies that roam freely on the land.
And by roam freely, I mean they will stop in the middle of the very narrow roads and pissed off patient drivers must wait for them to meander off on their own. The New Forest ponies are protected; if you hurt one in any way you just may land yourself in jail.
A wild pony roaming in the picnik area of the High Corner Inn.We didn’t go to the beach very often but it was nice to know that it was there, again only a few minutes from our doorstep.
I mean, an ocean is much better than a lake, right?
I’m not much of a beach bum, but I loved the beach huts and the Bournemouth Pier. And your gardens, you have such lovely gardens.
A row of beach huts in Bournemouth.Of course I miss our friends and family most. I miss the little things, the everyday life things, as much as I miss the big events.
My husband and his mates in Cardiff watching their hometown footie team, the Bournemouth Cherries, in the finals in 2003.I’m not sure why it didn’t work out between us.
Maybe the timing was wrong or maybe I just didn’t try hard enough. Yes, we had some great times and grew close but I never felt I could be myself when we were together. Really, it wasn’t you, it was me.
My husband and I hope to visit soon and I’ll be the first to give you a great big hug.
I know I'll appreciate you even more than I did the first time we met.
And yes, I do remember the first time we met. I was overwhelmed with wonderment and excitement as I walked up the steps of the London Underground and laid eyes on you for the first time. It was an adventure that I will always cherish and won’t ever forget.
All my love,
Becks
Reader Comments (5)
I visited England in 95 and I want to eventually go back as an adult and not a teenager. We weren't supposed to drink even though we were in the pubs for fish and chips. I am sure some of the band people drank when we were there. I was a good girl and didn't do any of that.
I have never lived out of MI. How did you meet your husband? I have a friend who met their wife from Red Wings World and then she wound up moving to the States after about 6 months or so after they were married because of immigration.
Your time in England certainly sounds like an adventure worth having! I've never lived outside of Michigan, either...nor have I traveled to England. You're lucky you had the chance to experience another country and culture by living there as you did :)
Meanwhile, how's your hubs adjusting to this area?
Jamie,
I didn't realize you had been to England before. I didn't travel abroad until I was in my 30's, I wish I had gone while still in my 20's. I hope you do get a chance to go back and experience it as an adult. I met my husband in a pub in London, but that will be the subject of another blog post coming soon!
Dominique,
My first trip to the UK and moving over there were an adventure. After you get settled in though, it's just day to day life. Yes, I have been very lucky to have the experiences I've had, I forget that sometimes.
The husband is doing well, he was talking to a friend back in England the other day (second from the left in the picture) and his friend kept on correcting his words. He was using the American terms and pronunciation!
Having just moved back from England to the US less than a year ago I concur with this post! I never thought I would miss it but I really do! But then I do things here that are just so much easier and I am glad we returned. Even my husband, who is British, is happy to be in the US. We are visiting England in the fall, so we will see how sad we are to leave then!
Andrea,
Thanks for the comment, it seems we are living parallel lives! I am very happy to be back in the States, but you still miss things.