Well guys, for those of you who do not know my mom (you should… she is kinda the best) she is absurd in the best way possible. She is my best friend. So, I was beyond excited for her to visit!! It was her first visit to Europe, and I could not wait!!
I picked her up from the airport, and we grabbed lunch and shopped around at Camden. It was so fun, and some legit gifts were bought (you lucky ones)!! We had lunch on the water while sitting on old mopeds… it is one of my favorite spots in London. There is just nothing like it. We checked into the hotel and took a bit of a rest, but not for long… Wicked was waiting!! I had not seen the show here or in the States, so I was just as excited as Tonj. Plus, it was a great way to beat the jet lag. The show was fantastic, and I loved every minute of it.
The second day I had class… aka lamessssssss. Tonj was very independent though. She rode the tube, went to the Tower of London, and got lunch all on her own!! Beyond proud. She met our class at the Royal Academy for the Degas exhibit (Shout out to Munster for the ticket)!! Okay, you have to know I am obsessed with Degas. I saw his work for the first time my junior of high school, and I have been obsessed ever since. His prints line my walls, so I was so excited to see such a large exhibit and experience with my mom. It was beyond my expectations, and of course a few items had to be purchased in the gift shop. Haha!! How could you resist? We couldn’t. When we got back to the DH, I had a card from the Robinsons waiting for me, and inside was a London Pass!! I had also won a pass the previous week, so Tonja and I could both get into all the great sights for free (huge blessing)!!!!!!!! Guess what? Laura had two passes as well… aka she and Rex came with us!!
We started at Wimbledon. It was so legit. I mean center court and hey Roddick is pretty attractive. No complaining here. The tour was fantastic and some true Kodak moments were shared. Of course, I spotted the local Cath Kidston store, so I convinced everyone to stop! Win for Christine!! I am obsessed with it all… I legit screamed I want it all at one point. Haha! Don’t worry we just picked up an agenda, postcards, eye class case, and an iPhone cover… not the whole store. Now that we had our fix of Cath, the Abbey was calling us. I visited Westminster during high school, so it was all about Tonja (which she did not have a problem with… I mean she refers to herself as the queen aka she was in her natural habitat). After the Abbey, I found this tour of London Bridge that was rated the number 4 attraction. We got of the tube and were immediately greeted by a man dressed as a zombie, to which Laura replied “Oh no, I am not doing this.” Love her. Aka it was a fail. But, we just walked to the Tower Bridge and got an incredible view of the city. I love that about this city… there is always something right around the corner. While in the Tower Bridge Tonja exclaims, “It is just such a mixture of old and new.” Wise Words Tonj. Love it. We then took the boat tour (Water makes Rex happy… all types) back to Westminster and grabbed some food at a pub. It was such a great day, filled with sweet memories and dear friends.
The next day was Saturday, and Saturday in London means MARKETSSSS!!! We started at Portobello, had lunch at Borough, got some tea and The Coffee and Tea festival, and finished off with the Christmas Markets!! It was my kinda day… a shopping day. We then walked along the South Bank and took in the city via The London Eye! It was my very first time, and it was so great. And hey the 4D experience movie, was just as delightful!! I loved getting to show my mom all the places I love in London and just having her in the city with me!!
Sunday was out last day, so of course a visit to the palace was necessary. I mean it is Tonja. Buckingham was not open for the season, so we just got to the see the outside. It was still great. From there a visit to the National Gallery and National Portrait Gallery had to be done!! The Monets, Renoirs, Turners, and Constables were just as breathtaking as ever. Another stop at the gift shop was also needed! New impressionist placemats for the win!! We ended the evening with joint family dinner. The Hutchesons were also in town aka a joint family dinner had to occur, and Laura came too!! Dinner was full of laughter as we all exchanged stories of our visits and our lives. I am pretty sure our moms could not have been more precious bonding!! Love it!! After dinner, we made it to the HTB night service… man it might have been my favorite part of my mom’s visit. I was standing there with my mom, two great friends, and Jane Marie’s delightful mother and beyond sweet sister praising our Abba together… a moment I will cherish dearly. Our God blows me away, and I am forever thankful for the moments her shares his love for me through the people he surrounds me with. Blessed. Yes mam. After church we finished packing, and of course had to go for a light night McDonald’s run with Rex. What visit would be complete without that? And I must tell you Tonja did say it was her favorite part… there you go Rexy. For real, it was a truly great way to end the trip just enjoying each other, and of course they swapped absurd/needy Christine stories…. Sigh sigh sighhhhhhhhhhh…….
5:30 came early the next morning… who even knew the tube ran that early… I didn’t. We made the trip to Heathrow, and goodbyes were swapped… but not for long!! I will be home in less than a month… weird to think about. Anyways, back on topic. Tonja’s visit was a success!! I am so blessed to have a mom that is not only a role model but my best friend. Love her.
Here’s to Tonja. enough said.
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