I was meant to stay in England two years. Over four years later, I’m exiting and Blighty will be “seeing the back of me” (to use an English expression I’ve heard many times over here).
Merry old England, you’ve certainly shown this Buffalo gal a jolly good time. I’ve walked your Zebra crossings - including Abbey Road - admired your stunning countryside, enjoyed the pleasure of going to your free museums (amazing!), visited Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament, spent numerous hours in your fantastic pubs sampling your pasties and your bangers and mash (yum!) and drinking (an essential part of an English pub visit!).
I’ve travelled to some of your incredible places: Cambridge, The Cotswolds, Derby, London, Manchester, Stratford-upon-Avon, Liverpool (hello, The Beatles’ home, it was a must!), Uppingham, and last but not least, lived, explored and met my now-fiance in your second - and best - city of Birmingham.
You’ve taught this Yankee how to make and drink a cuppa properly: with English tea, often and accompanied by Cadbury fingers! Where would I be without proper afternoon tea experiences and a life which regularly included the sentence: “Would you like a cuppa?” (p.s. the answer to this is always: YES!)
I’ve learned the right way to wait in line/”queue”, with patience and reserve, not the NY-style, push, shove and complain way. And I’ve been taught the correct way to decorate a Christmas tree: with “baubles”, not “ornaments” or “decorations.”
Although I never got into it myself, the seriousness of a good bacon sandwich was also spelled out to me.
I’ve discovered that timely public transport is uncommon and train delay announcements always prompt a unanimous “typical” from passengers. I certainly know now that the weather is quite “changeable.” I never did learn to carry an umbrella consistently, I think the ever-positive American in me believed bad weather would hold off until I got home and indoors. Always wrong!
The Royal Wedding of Kate and William, The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee and the 2012 Olympics all took place while I lived here and it was an incredible time to be living in Britain. I feel so fortunate to have been at a pub watching Prince Charles’ televised speech during the Diamond Jubilee celebrations, and after his speech concluded, hearing and seeing all the English pub-goers singing 'God Save the Queen' in the area around me - just magical and a moment that’ll never be erased from my memory. I’ll also always remember Anthony discussing with me what we’d say if we ever met Queen Elizabeth and he proclaimed: “I’d ask her, ‘how do you keep your hair so round? And what’s your favorite biscuit?” His response caused a fit of giggles which carried on for several minutes. I imagine this will be a joke in our relationship for many years to come.
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| A little of "Little Britain" goes a long way in laughter! |
I’ve been fortunate enough to study, work professionally, learn and explore this culture. The people, the accents and the lingo of England is amazing. I wouldn’t trade the experiences and things I’ve learned or the relationships and bonds I’ve made with the people here for anything.
To my friends, both those who are English and those who are from this part of the world - thank you for being the super people that you are. You took on a crazy American and taught her the way things should be done around here! Thank you for showing me around this great green country, “taking the Mick” out of my nasally Buffalo accent and hopelessly trying to correct all those pesky Americanisms which I couldn’t forget (even after four years I still use a “z” in the word “organized.” Guess old habits die hard!). I look forward to visiting with you again soon, on both sides of the pond!
To my English/American family -
Maggie and Jim - Thank you for watching dozens of Gavin & Stacey episodes with me (sometimes the same ones over and over again!) to help me prepare to write my university dissertation. Oh, Gwen, I know it was hard work but someone had to do it! I know my Birmingham bus route 45 and train commuting stories were probably entertaining but I’m sure sometimes they were annoying too, thank you for not telling me to “leave off” on those sometimes-endless tales! All the dinners and laundry you did, the loud music you suffered through and the times I was a “dirty stop out” must have been tough times but you were both always there for me. I appreciate everything you did and still do for me. Thank you for being incredible parents and friends and for welcoming and taking good care of me during my time in England.
Sheila and Anthony -
Thank you for not telling me that my house DIY ideas (and my day-to-day general ideas) were totally crazy and for “looking after me” for almost three years. Sheila - You’ve raised a fine man who I feel honored to be with. You have helped us both so much and put up with so much from a pushy Yankee - you deserve a medal! I am indescribably grateful to you for your kindess and I feel terribly lucky to have both you and Anthony in my life.
Anthony - Thank you for being the upbeat, English man who I’ve fallen in love with. I’m ‘well chuffed’ that you fancied dinner, ‘just the two of us.’ Don’t ever change because I love you just as you are especially when we sing “all night long” together - a little bit of Lionel always brings a smile to our faces! If I had to pick my most treasured memories from my time living here, the ones with you would have top billing. I’m so happy I was here at the right time to meet my brownie redcoat.
My stepbrothers and their families -
Thanks for taking the time to show me around Birmingham and for including me in your lives. You’re both real stars and I’ve enjoyed getting to know you and your families during my England journey. Here’s hoping we can catch up again in the future!
I don’t want to “put you off” by “banging on” about my favorite (sorry, favoUrite) things/memories of England, so I’ll finish this up by saying: it’s been fun, old Blighty, and I’ll never forget you, mate. Until we meet again, “mind how you go” and bye bye bye (because you can’t just say it once, bab). Cheers!
