I promise I'm doing more than just eating my way through the UK

After reviewing my last few posts, its evident that I should probably let you in on more of my activities and less of my eating habits. This weekend I had the gracious opportunity to visit with an old friend of mine. Jessie and I were inseperable in our youth and have always found a way to keep in touch when our lives put distance in between us. After marrying a Sgt. in the British Army, she moved to the UK and has been here for almost 2 years now. Thanks to the internet we have always been able to stay connected, but when I realized how close we would be once I came to London for the summer, there wasn't a doubt in my mind that we wouldn't finally get to spend some time together.

A trip on the tube to Waterloo railway station and a 30 minute train ride later we were together again. It had been at least 6 years since we had been physically in the same place, but as we greeted each other it was like no time had passed at all. We had such a good visit. I was delighted to meet her husband James and we commenced the evening with a barbeque. After catching each other up on our lives, we moved our little party to a local pub, The Fox. It reminded me exactly of the pub where Cameron Diaz meets Jude Law in the movie, The Holiday. Here we continued an excellent evening, discussing everything from nationalized healthcare to why London doesn't have ranch dressing to the multitude of words 'mispronounced' by the Brits. James was an great sport as Jessie and I took full advantage of our time remembering our adventures as kids and griping about our least favorite parts about the UK.

In the end, after a visit I desperately needed, I had to leave my friend once again. However, not before making plans to see each other before I go and with an easy understanding that true friendship doesn't recognize time nor distance.

I am reminded of this quote I've heard and believe it now more than ever; it goes "True friendship isn't being inseparable, it's being separated & nothing changes."