Settling into a new life in a new country, I’ve learned, is an equally exciting and exhausting experience. When we woke up from our 12-hour post-travel-day coma, the first thing we needed was toilet paper. One item that just could not wait. Still pretty much in our pj’s, Tanner and I went on a scavenger hunt to locate the seemingly simple but oh-so-important item. We visited 3 or 4 stores before finding it, but fortunately, managed to get some TP before either of us peed our pants. In all honesty, though, it was a close call. What an exhilarating start to our new adventure!

We both felt fuzzy and jet-lagged for a few days, but even when Tanner’s subsided, my schedule remained an absolute nightmare for weeks. For the last 10 years, I’ve been a wake-up-at-6am and go-to-bed-at-9:30pm kind of gal. For the first few weeks in London, though, I woke up around 8:00 or 9:00 AM and then stayed awake until approximately 5:00 or 6:00 AM… yes, that’s 5:00 or 6:00 AM the NEXT MORNING. I really thrive on a normal routine and getting enough sleep, so not being able to sleep was not just physically exhausting, but also mentally and emotionally. I’ve since learned that, just like anything in life, being stressed makes adjusting to a time change much more difficult. This move was obviously more stressful than any other international traveling I’ve done (it was always just for fun) and my body simply did not know how to cope. The silver lining, though: I was able to read a LOT of books. I basically read from 9:30 PM until 5:00 or 6:00 AM every night for a couple weeks. From my list of late-night reads, I would highly recommend Everybody Always by Bob Goff, I’m Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy, and All Good People Here by Ashley Flowers, just to name a few. (Honestly, I could easily fill an entire post with books and book reviews from that time. I’ll pocket that idea for another time).

Luckily, through all of that, I had Tanner to keep me upbeat. We made a deal that we had to do one touristy thing every day to help balance out all the other tedious tasks we had to complete. The many hours spent setting up utilities and searching for toilet paper were matched by hours of fun sightseeing and eating amazing food.

The tedious logistics during the first few weeks involved unpacking, finding the grocery store, organizing utilities, waiting for our wifi to be set up, and finding Tanner’s school buildings. There were other silly little things, too. Things you don’t think about until you’re in the moment and that make you feel very silly for not knowing. For example, where are the dumpsters to throw away our trash? How do I function as a human being without a garbage disposal? Where do I go when no flats have AC here and it’s 90-degrees Fahrenheit? And finally, what in the WORLD do the tiny little pictures on the oven and washing machine mean?  

Even though we were still getting comfortable with the logistics, the people are what really pulled us into life in London. It was the sweet server at the Italian restaurant near our flat who chatted with us like we were his grandchildren. It was our neighbor, Dr. Neil, who helped us carry our bags up to the 3^rd floor with a friendly grin. It was the couples at our weekly church service who sought us out and invited us over for board games. It was the two friendly girls who stopped me on the street to compliment me, and who, when they found out I had just moved from the States, offered to go to lunch and chat if I ever felt lonely. It was Tanner’s classmates who invited him to lunch to get to know him one-on-one. It was the people at the LBS Partners’ Club meeting who validated me on how difficult it can be following a partner to school, finding a job, and feeling lonely, and who also made me excited to join clubs, make friends, and get involved. THAT is what made us fall in love with London so quickly. And I have a feeling these people are not just part of a “honeymoon phase.” They’re the real deal. Lifelong friendships are blossoming. Isn’t that exciting?! It’s invigorating for someone like me, who thrives on personal connection. And I am, indeed, thriving.