Country Bumpkin

First of all, why didn't I take more pictures?

Daniel and I went up to Ridgmont this weekend, a tiny village of about twelve people (slight exaggeration), and had a stellar time. His parents own the pub there, the Rose & Crown, and do an excellent job of keeping it bustling. Along with the well-kept bar and restaurant, there's a lodge there for big events and parties, plus a camp ground attached so people can stay there overnight in their RVs and enjoy the woodsy scenery. The fresh air was confusing at first, after being in gritty London so long, but I like to think my lungs got used to it.

I said I wasn't nervous before setting out, but it finally hit me when we were on the train headed out there. (You know how chicks like to overthink things sometimes.) I was pretty comfortable once we arrived, though: his dad, dad's partner, sister, and brother-in-law were really friendly--plus, we got to chill out with his tiny baby niece, Lily, and old black lab, Mac, who were incredibly entertaining (in very different ways, as you'd expect).

It didn't stop there, though! No way. He thought it would just be those family members there this weekend, but then two sets of aunts and uncles came, along with a few cousins as well, so by the end of the day on Sunday I'd met twelve of his family members total. I can barely name twelve people in my own family, but he said that's only a small percentage of his, thanks to the whole Irish Catholic lifestyle. I'm an only child, so it's a little foreign to me, but they were all lovely and welcoming, so it didn't feel overwhelming by any means.

I'm realising that it stings, though, when anyone brings up the fact that I'm only here temporarily. I had to explain that a few times and didn't like the sound of it, even though March still seems like decades away and a lot could happen before then. I try not to think about it--or else I just go into overthinking chick mode--but it'll come up again sooner or later.

I'm just trying to enjoy everything a day at a time. London's the only place where I've really allowed myself to do that, which is probably why it means so much to me.