Some of you may know that I am a huge Anglophile, someone who is obsessed with all things British. Indeed, dear reader, I feel as though I have been born in the wrong century and country. I should have been born in the Victorian era, wearing gorgeous gowns, practicing domestic arts, feeling unsatisfied with my station in life as a woman with no rights, attending balls, and riding around on beautiful horses in the English countryside. Alas, I was born in the early seventies, wearing some of the most hideous fashion trends created, merely reading about the life I should have had as an English aristocrat. Sigh, my reality probably would have been that of a scullery maid, but it's my dream, and I choose to imagine myself as a genteel lady.
My young friend Abby is living my dream. She is studying for a year in Oxford, England. Abs, as I call her, helped us in the soap studio for four summers. I have had the pleasure of watching her blossom and grow into an amazing young woman. The Bibbed Wonder and I observed growth, maturity, confidence, and independence with each returning visit from Abs. Truly, it has been a pleasure to watch her grow throughout the years. Recently, Abs returned for a brief visit from her studies in England. Monday, she and her mom, our beloved friend, Dr. Walker, came out to the farm for a visit. Again, Eric and I were impressed with how much Abby has grown and matured. She is no longer the shy young woman we first met. She is confident, funny, a fantastic conversationalist, witty, hard-working, and self-disciplined. She amazes me.
Abs regaled us with stories about her studies, travels, and experiences abroad. Sadly, not every corner of England resembles a storybook cottage or gothic mansion. Abby's studies occur in rather sterile, American-esque, low-standing brick buildings. I imagined her studying in the equivalent of Hogwarts. However, she is a good sport and humors me with photos of the England of my imagination.
Abby surprised each of us with gifts from jolly old England. The Bibbed Wonder was gifted Percy Pig gummy candies and an authentic British Cadbury chocolate bar. The UK does not permit artificial dyes or flavors, so the gummies are quite different from the gummy bears we enjoy in the US. The chocolate puts Hershey and Mars to shame. I was gifted a tote bag from a bookstore (clapping, high-pitched squeal, a little Charlie Brown dance of glee!), my own bag of Percy Pigs because she knows The Bibbed Wonder is reluctant to share, and the best thing ever, genuine British mince pies! I hounded Abs from the comfort of my living room to try a mince pie at Christmas time. I am not ashamed that I live vicariously through her. My sweet friend complied and sent me pictures of her buying and eating the pie. She gave me a rather thorough description of its flavors, and I was satisfied. Imagine my surprise and pleasure that she thought of me and brought me authentic mince pies all the way from England! As you can tell, I was touched and thrilled. The Bean was gifted a beautiful sweatshirt from London that she wore to school the next day. We were all surprised and touched by Abby's thoughtfulness and generosity.
I have enough mince pies to make four afternoon snacks. Since I can't eat much at a time, I cut them in half and enjoy them with a cup of authentic British tea! Eating my delicate little mince pies with a strong "cuppa" in the afternoon makes me feel very British. Soon, Abs will return to England to continue her studies, explore the country, and do all the things I wish I had done at her age. Someday, when I have built my empire, I will travel to England and do everything on my bucket list. Perhaps I will take Abs, and she can show me the ropes. It's good to have dreams and great to have such sweet friends.
On this brutally cold January day, stay safe, be smart, and appreciate good friends; it's okay to live vicariously through the young and keep washing your hands.
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