Brad's Visit Continued...

Brad left for the States yesterday, but I can hardly be sad about it now that I have a sparkly diamond to keep me company until I see him again!

On Friday June 29th, Brad spent most of his morning trying to track down his luggage at the airport. Meanwhile, I was at the British Museum collecting my things and saying goodbye to my team. A few people from the office took me for tea before lunch and talked about all sorts of things. I was so sad to leave the museum behind, but I will always have a reason to come back. The moment when things really hot me was when I had to hand over my security pass. It made me feel like I had played the role of someone else during this experience...a different me. I would like to think that I will take that person back with me next week. It will feel so strange to be working behind the counter at Kohls or siting behind a school desk after having such a "real world" experience.

I left the museum in a reflective mood and was quite excited to meet Brad back at my flat that evening. Aleshia, Brad, Rob, and I went out to dinner together for Brad's birthday. We spent a long time just walking along the bank of the Thames taking pictures and talking to each other. It was nice.

Brad and I went back to my flat so I could pack some things and spent the night at Brad's hotel. I started to get sick just after dinner that night and spent all of Saturday attempting to recover. What a great thing to happen on such a happy occasion (note my sarcasm here) haha.
I was feeling better on Sunday, so (after getting lost on the bus) we eventually made it to Hyde Park. Brad had noticed in my blog that I wanted to do paddle boats a few weeks ago but didn't have a partner. He jumped at the chance, and rented a boat for us. I was treated to some icecream and a lovely walk through the park after floating around for an hour.

We wet back to my fat for dinner and spent the night there. In the morning, we made plans to see Windsor Castle. Long story short, that didn't happen, and we changed course to see the Globe Theater. Brad is a poet, and I really wanted him to see a bit of Shakspere before heading back to the States. I think he really liked the tour, and we would ahve gone to a show if they weren't sold out! Before dinner we went to St. Paul's Cathedral. We arrived just before an evening service (which surprised me since it was Monday). Brad and I stayed to listen to a visiting choir from Princeton. I can see why people spent years and years building cathedrals. The voices echoed all around us and it felt like angels were every where. I know that is an extreme vision, but it's hard to describe something that sounds so beautiful.

A storm opened up on us moments before dinner, but we arrived safely to The Real Greek for Brad's final meal with me in London. The rain put a damper on our plans to go up in the London Eye, but I still treated him to icecream in Leicester Square. Sufficiently soaked, I led us back to my flat and we retired to Brad's Hotel. We woke up around 5am and headed to Heathrow, where I said my goodbye and made the journey back to Willesden Green for a long long nap.

My voice is gone, I have a cough, and so many of our plans were foiled by transportation and weather issues BUT I will never ever forget the effort my new fiance went to so that I would have the proposal of a lifetime. I hope everyone who reads this will appreciate just how special Brad is and what he did for me. He worked his whole summer away so that he would get just four days with me in London. To say that I feel loved and adored is an understatement!

I can't wait to see you all soon, and thank you for being avid readers! Toomorrow I begin my three day tour of Groombridge, Tornbridge Wells, and Hartfield with Paul. I will have an update for you Sunday night!

Take care x0x0x0x!