Heading to NYC!

I think it was around 2003/2004 when I first spoke to this wonderful guy allll the way in England. We began doing video chats before they were cool, and we’d teach each other random things about where we lived. After a bit, we started sending boxes of gifts to each other along with CDs containing videos that would walk the receiver through the gifts. He sent me some shells from the beach he’d traveled to, a little pair of Wellingtons, delicious candies, etc. The videos were the best part though, especially since there was no such thing as editing them, so we had to just roll with whatever came our way. His brother would always try busting in for laughs, and we’d each get our parents wandering behind us most times. My dad would crack up because I apparently adopt accents easily, and he claims he’d here a bit of a British accent come out when I’d be talking with Kyle for hours on end. Oh, how I wish I could find some of these to upload! Kyle would probably kill me though hahah 😀

I remember sitting in class my sophomore (maybe??) year in high school when they announced they’d be accepting students for a trip to the UK that summer. And the class I was in happened to be with one of the teachers going! I couldn’t breathe, my head was racing, and I definitely interrupted class to get information so I could finally meet my dear friend. I remember the moment I told him. I was SO. HAPPY. His parents and my parents talked a bit about how we could do this, and I explained the situation to my teachers. We signed a permission slip stating that we fully accepted responsibility for whatever happened (crazy to think anyone would do this in today’s world), and Kyle’s family would take a trip to London the same time we’d be there.

I worked my butt off to save money for it, and before I knew it, it was time for us to meet! I’d hop aboard my first flight ever (and accidentally watched Final Destination the night before… WORST decision ever!), I’d land in Germany for a solid half hour before hopping on another flight into Heathrow, and I’d anxiously sit while traveling London before reaching our hotel. We pulled up, I could see him and his whole beautiful family waiting on me, and I was freaking out inside, and even fell down the stairs of the bus (of course). He greeted me with the biggest hug, and it was just beyond surreal! I remember we both kept saying how it just felt like a dream because we’d spent SO much time talking, but hadn’t met until that point.

We got to spend several days hanging out together, but before we knew it, we were saying our goodbyes. My heart ached because he was unlike any other friend I had back in the states, and I had no idea when we’d get to see each other again. Now, ten years later, that time has come! I’ll be meeting him in NYC today to spend time with him and his love, capture moments and memories, and really catch up on my British slang 😉 I’m so grateful for our friendship, and can’t wait to share our adventures with you all soon!

For now, enjoy some of my “art” from waaaaaaay back then! Those borders and all, mhmm. As well as my sense of fashion. Heavy eyeliner, middle part, jean jacket… Oi.