Tag: Christmas

Christmas Wish Lists

Christmas Wish Lists. Do you love them or leave them? My family has always believed in the lists since I was little and writing letters to Santa. We still exchange them for our family gift exchange to give ideas of what we may like under the tree. I am pretty practical and don’t want things I don’t want or need and thus am a big believer in Christmas (and Birthday) Wish Lists. Hopefully Santa brings me a thing or two off mine.

Dear London | A love letter

Dear London,

Happy Anniversary! Twenty-one years ago today we met for the first time. It was definitely love at first sight.

Growing up in Canada, we had many British influences from food, music, fashion and traditions. I will always remember waking in the wee of hours of July 29th to see Prince Charles marry Lady Diana. A few years later, I was lucky to catch a glimpse of Princess Diana outside Rideau Hall when my class trip to Ottawa just happened to correspond with their Canada visit. Likely the beginning of my love and fascination with all things British.

After my first year of full time employment, I embarked on a holiday to Marbella, Spain to meet a dear friend for a mini break. With no direct flights to Malaga, I flew to London Heathrow with an eight-hour layover where I decided to take full advantage of my opportunity to see the city. I hopped a bus to Central London to take a Big Bus Tour where I was immediately memorized by the charm, history and architecture. I promised to return again soon. Little did I know a week later, an unexpected airline strike would find me travelling to London a day early so I did not miss my flight home. My dad arranged for me to stay with our cousins who lived in Wembley Park. My less than 24-hour visit included being collected at Victoria Railway Station only knowing each other from printed photographs, finally meeting and getting to know my family, enjoying a lovely whirlwind underground adventure the next morning and a homemade lunch before I made the long journey home. I absolutely love everything Christmas so was dazzled by Selfridges and Oxford Street all decorated for the Christmas season. I have returned twice in December and it is truly my favourite time of year to visit.

This anniversary is also a reminder that things in life don’t always go as planned but this bump in my travels led to the beginning of a beautiful friendship with my family across the pond and a lifetime love of this beautiful city. London is definitely my home away from home.

London – It was definitely love at first sight that October day. No matter how many days between our visits, you are always in my heart. A true love like ours last forever.

Till we meet again.

Love,

M xx