Dear London

It’s hard to describe the feeling of leaving this place. There are a thousand emotions I’m feeling and as I sit in Heathrow waiting to board my plane, I’m trying to not feel them all. If I do, there’s a good chance I’ll start getting weepy again and that seems socially unacceptable. London and the people I studied here with have become my home and my family. We have argued (a lot) and laughed (a lot) together. It wasn’t always easy living with 18 other people and most of the time you couldn’t find a cup to use, but that seemed to all sort of stop mattering the last couple of days. I realized that no matter how crazy these people can make me at times, there are the only ones who understand what I’m going through. We have lived the last fourth months together and no one else will ever quite be able to get it like they do. They have been a shoulder to cry on, a person to vent to and provided endless laughter and for that I am eternally grateful. It will be very weird to wake up and not have them all buzzing around or to be actually able to turn the light on in my room because there’s no fear of waking three other people up. I will no longer be able to split pasta bakes with Schneeman, go to Hummingbird Bakery with Katie and Mariah or have absurd conversations at 3 a.m. with Bri, Ali and Kari. And I will miss all those things. I will also miss the city greatly. London has become my home and will always have part of my heart. I have found a place to escape the city (and see a peacock) in Holland Park, fallen in love on the tube way too many times and picked out a favorite place to get chai tea lattes in the morning. There is an endless list of things I will miss and things I wish I would have done. London has both challenged and comforted me in ways I didn’t expect. It is constantly surprising and exciting me. Supposedly if you become with bored with London, you’re bored with life. I can completely see how this is true. There is so much to be done and seen, even if it’s simply wandering around a neighborhood you haven’t been to yet. I’m so appreciative for those who have made my experience here what it was. Simply put, it is heartbreaking to leave. While I’m excited to see friends and family, I know as long as I’m away I’ll be trying to find a way back. Cheers London. Xx.