A Year in London-My Love Letter

September 12, 2024, I landed in London with three suitcases, my whole life packed up. I said goodbye to my mom back in my home state and my dad and I took on the drive to San Francisco. We left state lines and pop, a flat tire to start the journey. While I sat there wondering how to help and what to do, I questioned if that was a sign not to move forward. September 12, 2025, I can say that was the best decision I have made.

As I walked up to the TSA officer, passport in hand, shaking in tears, he took one look at me and said, "all good things come with tears". I nodded and thanked, him my dad watching me walk on. I was leaving everything I had know for a university I have never seen, flatmates I have never met, and a city I have only been to twice. I am walking into the unknown. And when the plane began to touch down and I looked out the window, I felt nothing but a buzz of excitement and fear. My suitcases and I headed to my flat in Southwest London, where I would call home with the girls I would soon consider to be my friends. The relief that there was an actual flat and roommates who wouldn't murder me in my sleep was huge (but that's a story for another time). I made it...I began unpacking, fighting jet lag, made a run to Ikea with my flatmate, and ended my first night with a Hello Fresh meal and a glass of wine.

When I first arrived, I didn’t know how to recycle, I couldn’t cross the street without looking the wrong way, and I had no clue what “you alright” really meant. Now, a year later, I know the rhythm of the Tube, I order my latte and ham and cheese croissant without hesitation, and I find myself giving directions to tourists—something I never thought I’d do in this city (though I may point you in the wrong direction). I won't say that every day is easy, I still doubt and question what I am doing, but I think each season brings its own joys and challenges. I think London is a little corner of the world where I feel like I can be me. London, for some, is a city that they can just fall into and find themselves, but for me I had to earn her love and respect. I had to make a choice every day that I was going to make the most out of everything. I remember thinking if I wanted to make it work, I had to put in the work. If this post says anything to you readers I hope it encourages you to find a corner of the world where you can show up as yourself and wake up excited for the day. Life is too short to be a victim of your own misery, so dear London I love you and I am excited for another year!

xoxo