"Where Mother Is"

A little girl, asked where her home was, replied, "where mother is." 

 ~Keith L. Brooks

I have the best mom in the whole world.  I know that may seem like a pretty bold statement, but I really think it's true.  I don't know many people who work as hard as my mom does, yet would drop everything and do anything for her kids. She has taught me so much and still continues to teach me important lessons in life, even if she doesn't realize it.

I love my mommy :)

When my mom found out how sick I was, she decided to fly out to England and be with me.  By the time she got here, I was pretty much fully recovered but a mom always knows when her daughter needs her.  Even though I was better, she knew how disappointed I would be about not getting to continue traveling, and she just wasn't going to let that happen.

Mom's first day in England!

When I was on my way to the airport to pick her up, I had so many butterflies in my stomach.  I honestly couldn't tell you why I did, but I think it may have been a combination of wanting to make sure my mom had a nice time, her and my new boyfriend meeting each other for the first time, or the possibility that maybe I had changed in the four months since she last saw me. But when I ran up to my mom at the arrival gate of Terminal 5 and gave her a huge hug, all of those nerves instantly went away. I  wasn't expecting to shed any tears, but I cried like a little baby.  I guess moms can do that to you.

The beautiful town of Henley-on-Thames

My mom was understandably really tired and jet lagged from her flight, so the first day we spent a nice relaxing day in Ed's hometown of Henley.  We walked around town and Ed gave my mom the grand tour, including one of his favorite sandwich shops for lunch.  Then, Ed and I took our moms out on a boat ride up and down the Thames.  It was so fun to just cruise around the water on such a beautiful English day, especially with our oh-so handsome driver :)

Loving the boat ride...So much fun!

That evening, my mom and I made our way back to Reading for a bit of rest and relaxation before heading out to dinner with Ed and his family. It was really nice to have everyone together and for my mom to meet Ed's lovely family as well as them meeting the person I had been constantly talking about for the past week. 

Ed's mom and my mom!!

My mom, Ed, and I all headed into London the next day with our first stop at one of my favorite places, St. Paul's Cathedral.  I know that I have been there before and I raved about it the first time, but the second time was just as amazing, if not more. And I am really happy that my mom got to visit on of the many cathedrals that I have been telling her all about. 

Top of St. Paul's Cathedral

We then make a quick stop over to Buckingham Palace before heading out to dinner in Covent Garden. The three of us had a great time having some delicious food and wonderful conversation.  I'm really glad that my mom and Ed got to spend so much time together.  Really makes a girl smile to have two important people together in one place! :)

Outside Buckingham Palace

The next morning was a much needed sleep in day.  We wandered around Reading for a bit and I showed my mom a little bit of the university.  We planned trains and hotels for the rest of my mom's time here while we waited for Ed to get finished with a football meeting. 

Big Ben!!

Ed and I finished up the quick "must- see" tour of London with my mom by taking her to see Harrods, Big Ben and Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey, and the London Eye.  I loved seeing the look on my mom's face when Big Ben struck 8pm.  It was just one of those times where you know you are doing something right and you get satisfaction in knowing you made someone's day.

Being silly outside Westminster Abbey

My mom couldn't believe that in a week's time, she went from just reading all about these wonderful places to actually being here, a totally different country all the way across the pond.  But little did she know, she would be in TWO countries because the next day...We went to SCOTLAND! But a whole different country deserves a whole post of it's own, still yet to come. :)