On July 15, Lee and I celebrated our first anniversary together. Although we haven't actually lived together for a year yet, we have experienced more than a year's worth of events in our new house and this new city of Preston.
Some days have been quite challenging and Lee has been such a strong supporter for me through the 'rubbish' times. I remember vividly frantically unpacking all of the household items that flew with me from Ohio. It was fun putting everything in its proper place in our brand new house and finding nooks and crannies where future furniture may go. I stood in the middle of the bedroom, with an air mattress pushed against the wall--a placeholder until the mattress and bed arrived--and suddenly felt like I was all alone. Lee was just downstairs, but the realisation that I had just abandoned everyone and everything I had known 3,600 miles away hit me with a harsh gush of emotions. From downstairs, I heard Lee calling for me to make sure I wasn't hurt and then he came clambering up the stairs to console me, confused at what had happened. These slight panics of fear came intermittently, but quite frequently, during the first months, but have now tapered out to a degree where I can control them.
After two unsuccessful interviews (one to be a teaching assistant and one to be a teacher, which were the first rejections I have faced in my professional career), Lee was very comforting and encouraging. It seems like such a long time that I've waited to fulfil my desire to be a teacher and any delays in this hopeful process are such a disappointment. Lee is gifted with looking at the bright sides of situations and made sure I kept my dream alive, discovering new options for how this future teacher can make her dream happen. Currently, I am applying to get an English 'teaching equivalency' which will allow me to teach in England without gaining another degree and also, we are looking at international schools where I can apply using just my American degree.
For our anniversary, my gift was tickets to see Frankie Boyle, a favourite comedian of Lee's. For weeks, Lee asked me what I wanted, but I couldn't really think of anything that I needed. He certainly surprised me when he planned a day at the Chill Out Spa in Prescot just for me. Talking to the employees, I found out that this is where the t.v. celebrities and footballers' wives go to have a day of rest and relaxation. What a gift!
Our first year together has been full of surprises--I'm still checking for any signs of a mouse--and I am so happy to have Lee by my side for all of the years to come.
Although the song doesn't exactly exemplify our situation--because obviously, we are happy together--you may use this song as background music to see some of our favourite moments over the past year:
Our first house. We're still renting this house here in Preston, and things have quieted down a bit from our first months.
A weekend trip to Formby on the last 'hot day' of 2011.
Off to the races! This is a shot from the Aintree race grounds. In October, t was my first time at the race track and also my first time 'placing bets.' Lee and I were unsuccessful in winning any of our bets, but it was much more exciting than I expected. At the end of the day, I decided that I probably won't go back just because I felt really bad for how hard the horses were hit to go faster and when they fell, it was heart wrenching to be a bystander.
A snapshot of the place we met. In November, we went back to Liverpool to relive the memories.
In November, we learned that I would finally be a working girl again at the start of the new year. This is a photograph of the entrance to St. Mary's and St. Benedict's Roman Catholic Primary School in Preston.
Our first Christmas dinner with just the two of us--although there was food enough for about eight people.
Lee's trip to Hong Kong was a tough week for me having him so far away, but he learned a lot and made new friends in China.
My brother came to work in London for a month in the spring. We were lucky to get to visit with him and his girlfriend in the capital as well as be blessed with good weather on that very special trip. I wish we could see my family more often!
An unforgettable trip to York in May renewed my love for this country. This family vacation set the bar high for where we may go next year.
Still enjoying the celebrations of the Olympics which have delivered momentous sports gems over the past two weeks.
Lee took me to my first cricket match to see Lancashire County Cricket Club play Derbyshire (pronounced DARbey-SURE). I didn't know the rules before the game, but afterwards I found myself a fan of this sport.
This year was quite the introduction to English customs and habits. Bringing your own coffee mug with thermos full of coffee was a 'first' for me out of all the sporting events I've attended.
Lee's been very brave this year to try all of my cooking and baking experiments. This cake turned out very tall, but extremely delicious. Lee's co-workers were lucky recipients of two-thirds of this because it was almost humanly impossible for us to consume it all ourselves.
And finally, from a walk along the riverside last week, Lee was up for a staged photo-op (as long as no one else was around). On the other side of this bridge barrier was a short wall facing the river, but it still looks like Lee's taking the plunge on a warm summer day. Quite the Dare Devil.
If you see Sammie Miles Davis, Jr. and Bella, give them my love.
