It's Not Goodbye, It's See You Later...

It is amazing to think that I have been home in Chicago for two weeks now. In some ways, it feels like I just left Reading. But in other ways, it feels like I have been home for so long!

Last date night in London to see Wicked!

My last week in Reading was simply unforgettable. For our last big date together, Ed and I went to London to see the musical Wicked. I honestly think that it was one of the best dates that I have ever been on. We were all dressed up and feeling like a million bucks (or quid! haha) for our special date. We had wonderful wine and dinner at a restaurant near the theater before the show.  We also go to see "Little Ben" which was something not even Ed, the London native, had seen before!

Wine and Dine with my Boyf <3

Our seats at Wicked were incredible, and such a great deal! I had seen the show once before when I was much younger and Ed had never seen it before...But we both absolutely loved it.  We were singing the songs for days! "I'm flying high...Defying gravity!"

We had amazing seats! 

Everything about that night was absolutely perfect.  I had my extremely handsome boyfriend with me and we got to spend some fun, quality time together.  I simply just love being with Ed and that whole night was amazing.

Last night out at the Union!

I had two final exams the week before I left, which I really hope went well because I studied so hard for them.  Once I finished those, I had the rest of the week to just finish up some of my last assignments and relax while everyone else finished their exams. To celebrate the end of exams, we got to go to the Union (my favorite!) one last time and I finally wet to Propaganda at Q Bar like I always promised Steve I would!  It was so much fun to go out with everyone one last time! I think I underestimated how much I would miss going out and dancing pretty much whenever and wherever I wanted. Nights out in Reading were unlike anything here in the US!

Everyone at dinner on my last night

The night before I left, almost everyone from my flat went out to dinner together. I couldn't help but just look around the table at all of the amazing friends that I had made in Reading. Each person there touched my life in their own unique way and I will always remember and miss every single one of them.

The most thoughtful/awesome gift ever :)

All of my flatmates got me one of the most thoughtful gifts that I have ever received.  They gave me a Reading soccer (football :) ) jersey with my name and the number 51 (for our flat number, Windsor 5.1) printed on the back.  I cried like a baby when I opened it and read all of the sweet messages that everyone had written to me.  It was beyond perfect.

Saying goodbye is SO hard </3

Saying goodbye to everyone the next day was one of the hardest things that I have ever done.  It is so difficult to say goodbye to someone when you honestly have no idea when of if you will ever see them again. I really hope that it's not goodbye though, just see you later. :)

I <3 him

I thought saying bye to my friends was hard...saying goodbye to Ed was nearly impossible.  He was so sweet and came to the airport with me to help me get all checked in and stuff (which was no easy task). He came all the way to security with me where we shared a very tearful goodbye (well, at least on my part...but honestly, would you expect any less from me?).  I think I cried even after I boarded the plane and took off. I miss him so much.

Enough people have asked me that I might as well just answer the inevitable question...Yes, we are still going to stay together even though I moved back to the US. We know that it's not going to be easy, but we are going to try really hard to make it work.  He is absolutely amazing and no miles or time apart is going to change that.

Wonderful memories

Even though I am ready to close the book on this chapter of my life, I am ready to start a new chapter and experience the many things that I have to look forward to this summer:
A great internship with one of the top meteorologists in the country
My ever-growing family with the addition of my new baby sister, Audrey
Enjoying time with my family and best friends in the whole world
Great American food
Sunshine, summertime, and happiness

Welcome Home cake!

I will never forget all of the amazing memories and people that my journey to England brought me. I have learned so much about myself and the world around me that I will carry with me for the rest of my life.

Thank you so much for coming along for the ride of this incredible adventure with me.  I am so incredibly blessed for my supportive family, amazing boyfriend, and loving friends that made this all some of the best times of my entire life.  God has filled my life with more blessings and joy than I could ever deserve and this journey was just a testament to His never ending love.