Today is my birthday.
My original plan was to just totally ignore it. Not mention it and pretend it wasn’t happening because you see it’s a big one! I thought about just staying in bed all day and pretending it wasn’t happening but then something happened – a dream came true.
You see, on my 18th birthday, many years ago, my parent’s gift to me was a trip to England to visit some of my relatives who I had never met, to visit the birthplace of my grandparents. Unfortunately, that trip never happened. My father quit his job, moved across country, started his own business and the money was just never there.
I have mourned the loss of that trip for 32 years (don’t do the math!) In fact sometimes I have done more than just mourn it, I have complained about it and felt sorry for myself that I have never been to England.
Now before you feel too sorry for me, I have kissed the Blarney Stone and stood on the Cliffs of Mohr (while my husband hung out over the Cliffs!). I’ve also stood next to and witnessed the amazing power of Igauzu Falls in Argentina and visited the breathtaking Macchu Picchu in Peru so I’m not all that deprived.
But I have never been to England. When my son was accepted to study at Cambridge University this summer I was thrilled. If I was never going to make it there at least one of my children would have the experience.
Then my daughter Cali applied and was accepted into a study abroad program over in London for this coming Spring – again I was thrilled and secretly a little jealous.
Well last Saturday my sweet family and dear friends threw a surprise party for me. It was a wonderful party. So many of my friends were there to celebrate with me that it made turning __ not quite so bad (I still can’t bring myself to actually say the number!!)
There were friends, delicious food and great entertainment. (For complete details and pictures on the party visit Your Homebased Parties!)
And there was a gift from my husband.
It was a surprise gift.
The gift was actually a dream come true!
It was a trip to England for 10 days. I will meet up with Cali after she finishes her studies this summer and we will tour the country (including a weekend trip to Paris hopefully!!)
So I guess turning 50 isn’t quite so bad (there I said it!!)
All of you out there that have been to England I need you to share with me your must sees! Where do we need to go and what can’t we miss??
More party details and photos here.
Happy Birthday. How wonderful.
DID YOU KNOW YOU AND THE PIONEER WOMAN HAVE THE SAME BIRTHDAY? ( I think). She posted that today was her birthday.
Congrats.
Leanne, Happy Birthday! What a surprise to see that someone I come to admire so much shares the same birthday as me! Looks like you had a wonderful birthday as I did. Spent the eveing with my wonderful girlfriends.
Sorry this is late but Happy Birthday, turning 50 isn’t bad at all..and what a great birthday present..
Congratulations! On both the trip and the birthday! I also hit the big one this year, guess we might as well make the best of it right? Sounds like you have a wonderful adventure ahead of you – enjoy!
Best wishes,
Kristin
Happy Birthday! What a fabulous present. Like you, I have ALWAYS wanted to go to England, but for some reason, it has always fell through at the last minute… Enjoy your dream trip (as I’m sure you will) enough for all of us, and make sure to tell us all about it when you get back!
My favorite movie is 84 Charing Cross Road. Here’s a link to the story line based on a true story – it’s an absolutely wonderful film – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/84_Charing_Cross_Road – I watch it when the longing to visit London (England) gets strong. I have been to many places in Europe but not to Great Britain. Someday……
Happy Belated! Every time I read your blog it makes me smile. You are truly one of those people who makes the world a better place by being part of it. Thanks for sharing yourself with all of us.
Leigh Anne, We lived nearly two years in the Cotswolds and loved the area and the experiences we had there. As of 2009, I finally have all of the pictures into albums. I admit, though, that I still need to journal to count the albums as finished . I was also fortunate to spend six days in London with a friend in 2006. I’d love to share some of my favorites with you…like the Portobello Market in London, Kensington Gardens, Tetbury, Bibury, Blenheim Palace, Windsor…. Expect weather similar to Portland and enjoy every minute. If you haven’t been to Paris then you and Cali must squeeze it in. It is my favorite city. Have fun being 50! I’ll take notes, because I’m not far behind you.
Hi. I haven’t read your blog that much but your ideas for 2010 really interested me. I am nearly 48 and feel I need to grab life while I can. What a wonderful birthday present. I live in England and while, like everywhere, it has its bad bits, there are some wonderful bits as well. Visit the tourist sites in London such as St Pauls, Tower of London and Greenwich (visit this by travelling by boat down the Thames from Westminster) Don’t visit Madame Tussauds (a real rip-off) and enjoy tea at Claridges or the Ritz. Outside London, visit the Cotswolds, Lake District, Cornwall, Devon, Wales ( as said previously, the castles are great).
Too many places to mention and visit (particularly in 10 days) but just enjoy the history and beauty of England. Enjoy your holiday.
Yipee! seeing the picture of you opening your gift made me a little teary. what a thoughtful hubby!
Hi Leigh Anne,
I’ve spent the morning doing my blog catch-up and as always, I’ve found a lot to enjoy here. It’s wonderful about your upcoming trip to England. As an American who has lived here for over six years, I have a lot of opinions about what to see. (I live 20 minutes outside of Cambridge.) My strongest recommendation is, don’t bother with Stonehenge if you only have 10 days. It isn’t very impressive in person. If you would really like more specifics, please feel free to contact me. Thanks for the great site!