In 5 days 2011 will be referred to as "last year" and everyone will set out to begin their new year with a clean start. As I look back at my personal timeline of major events in 2011, it's one for the books. The biggest highlight was GETTING MARRIED to my precious Brian on June 11, 2011 and I'll have you know that our marriage date was exactly two years to-the-day from the day we met on June 11, 2009.
That is one of many astounding circumstances of our relationship and after recalling all of the other circumstances of how we found each other, the similarities and connections we had, and how the journey worked out from then on, I am positive that the several occurrences of Divine intervention could transform some of those agnostics into believers. I mean it was almost comical how blatantly clear God made it that Brian and I were meant to be together.
This post, however, is not about that part. We just celebrated our first married Christmas together 2 days ago!
It was wonderful: I woke up at dawn, tidied up the living room (that had been temporarily disguised as a gift-wrapping room hit by a tornado), lit the candles on the mantel and coffee table, turned on the Christmas tree, made a pot of coffee, stuffed Brian's stocking with Reese's and a filled-out book "What I Love About You" by David Marshall and blasted some music from the Pandora Christmas Station music to wake him up. When he came downstairs, I then had to go hide while he set up my big gift that was hidden in the basement. I had to assure him time and again that I would NOT go down there because I assume he pictures me being a sneaky little elf tip-toeing down to the basement giggling and looking for my presents. While I tease and guess what a gift might be, I don't actually want to know. Honestly. Besides, I like to avoid entering any basement as much as possible.
ANYWAYS, we exchanged gifts and had our precious Hallmark picturesque moments as a lovely happy couple opening our gifts by the tree: laughing, crying, slow motion kisses, dramatic embraces, "Love is a Many Splendored Thing" (the song at the very beginning of the movie "Grease" with Danny and Sandy falling in love on the beach) playing in the background, etc.
Our little border collie pup, Zoë, got a stocking of surprises as well! I got Brian a stock of things to unwrap and he got me a one main gift, and a few little wrapped ones. I stocked Brian with plenty of apparel; I know that with guys, clothes aren't exactly the most exciting thing to unwrap, but I can tell it's appreciated later when I see my husband wearing it days in a row. Of the things-you-wear gifts, I think his (AND my) favorite goes to these shoes: Sperry Topsider Authentic Original Chukka. I also got him the new Assasin's Creed video game, a toolbox and assortment of tools (thanks to his parents' help as well), the inspirational book: "Start Something That Matters" by Blake Mycoskie , the founder of TOMS, etc.
So what was my present? First of all, he got me my ticket to the 21st century that I'd been reluctant to get just to be a rebel and make a point (that I'm an idiot): my very first smart phone! Not only a smart phone, but an iPhone! Yes, I will admit that I have fallen in love with it. And the big present hiding in the basement was this gorgeous complete set of golf clubs:
Maxfli Women's Revolution Set. My very own set! He even had a glove popping out of one of the pockets to complete the glorious showcase of the bag and clubs with their matching club covers. Now we can go play together without me having to use his clubs. The only clubs I've ever used are men's clubs... for tall men, no less. I will admit that one of my guesses WAS golf clubs when I was bugging Brian after he said he had my gift set up in the basement, and he didn't even flinch. Very impressive, sir. Well done, indeed.
BUT, something I never ever EVER saw coming was another surprise he added in. He told me some time before Christmas that he had been planning something for our one year anniversary in June. What we were doing would be revealed on Christmas day. Well, there we were and I'm glad we were sitting down. He began by saying he'd talked to his close relatives, Chris and Juliet, and his brother, Richard, to work on arrangements. Chris and Juliet live in England. Richard is a pilot for Continental Express. So putting those puzzles together in my head: "England....traveling....wait a second, what was he about to say??"
For our anniversary we are going to...LONDON, ENGLAND!!! "London" is a buzz word that immediately triggers the British anthem, "God Save the Queen," to play in my head, so that might be what stunted my reaction reflexes. My reaction wasn't the expected teenage freak-out of jumping up and down screaming and running around like I was being chased by bees. I think I repeated "are you serious?!" about 57 times with the jaw-dropped stare, but it still hasn't registered and I told him I'd let him know when it finally does, because when this news actually does click, I'll follow with the aforementioned teenage freak-out.
Now you know what the title of this post is referring to: London! The L-Place! I have dreamt of going to England in general since I heard my first British accent. It had to be when I was five or six watching my favorite movie of all time, "The Sound of Music." Yes I know that "The Sound of Music" is set in Austria, but JULIE ANDREWS, or should I say Dame Julia Elizabeth Andrews, is English and might be frightened if she knew how obsessed I am with her...I won't get into that.
Brian and I are going to London. I still can't believe it, but time isn't going to wait for me to wrap my head around it, so LET'S GET PLANNING!
Our visit will be for a week at the beginning of June. Our trip can be placed in the "budget-friendly travel" category due to the fact that we are staying with Chris and Juliet and are most-likely obtaining buddy passes for the flights. Two major categories, plane tickets and lodging fees, covered.
What is going to take a miracle to cover is the list of attractions to see! I have to be realistic and accept that I can't see all of the must-see places because that list goes on forever. The Tower of London, Big Ben, Westminster Abby, Wembley Stadium, Buckingham Palace, The London Eye, Trafalgar Square, Globe Theatre, etc. etc. etc. Brian has been to England before when he was younger, but this will be re-visiting London at a more mature age when you really appreciate seeing the sites and taking it all in.
Not only are we visiting a city famous for it's history and landmarks, but London is one of THE top fashion capitals in the world! Stella McCartney, Burberry, Alexander McQueen, Vivienne Westwood, Matthew Williamson, John Galliano, etc. are all well-known top notch British designers!
I am a frequent enjoyer of Polyvore as you will see in future posts, and have previously created English-inspired sets:
$13 - asos.com
Christmas wishes by christenjune featuring a longsleeve dress
£7.99 - harrods.com
£105 - zalando.co.uk
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Seeing as we have months to plan, expect to see more London-inspired posts ahead. For now, I think that'll do for this post. I managed to begin with a brief peek into the world of Brian and me, to our Christmas, to an exciting mark already on our calendar for 2012. I'm sure the beginning of June isn't the only exciting occurrence 2012 has in store for us! Until next time!
