I Never Thought This Would Really Happen, But Here We Are…

Posted February 18, 2022 by Prairie Wife - 4 comments

I never thought this would really happen, but here we are.

It started when I was around 8 or 9.

“The Secret Garden” by Francis Hodgson Burnett was my favorite book, and I became obsessed with all things British.

I spent my free time thinking of how lovely it would be to go to England and live in a little cottage and wear “wellies” and tromp around through the fields and explore run-down castles.

Fast forward to High School, and my obsession with all things British was completely full-blown. I gladly immersed myself in Bronte and Austen, and I’m sure I still have a bedraggled and marked-up copy of my British Poets book somewhere…

As I headed into adulthood I never left my love for all things British behind.

I longed to travel across “The Pond” and see all the places I had only read about, and wander the moors, and explore all the history and beauty that England had to offer.

When I told The Cowboy about this dream he vowed to make it happen.

And some of you may remember when The Cowboy and I headed to England for our 15th wedding anniversary!

But still, deep in the corners of my mind, I had another dream that I had kept quiet about.

I wanted to take off for three weeks (on my own) and just do whatever I wanted.

I admit that “The Holiday” played a huge part in this dream, I mean who WOULDN’T want to run away and stay in a cute little cottage after watching that movie?!

For some unknown reason, I never thought I would live to 40.

So, I set a goal to go on this dream trip the year I turned 40…If I made it.

When I began my radio job three years ago, I began to set aside a little bit of money here and there. I called it my England FUNd, and while a little bit of excitement wiggled in my stomach each time I took a look at my England FUNd I never really thought it would work out that I could escape for three weeks.

After all, I have 5 busy kids, my job at My Country 95.5, this blog, and all my emcee and speaking gigs…

Well, guess what happens this year on March 28th?

Yup, I turn 40.

And do you know what I just did?

I bought my tickets for England.

I couldn’t quite swing three full weeks, but I’d say 20 days over there should do the trick!

Yup, you read that right.

I just booked a trip to England for 20 days!

A big part of this trip for me was the time alone, which may seem strange to some of you.

The few people I’ve told about this dream have all asked “Won’t you be lonely?” or “Aren’t you scared to travel all by yourself?”

Of course, the answer to both of those questions is “yes”.

But, is it really a bad thing to be a bit lonely?

And even though I AM scared, I refuse to let fear keep me away from all the adventures that lie ahead!

I plan to land in London, spend some time there for a few days, and then find a darling little cottage in the Cotswolds to stay at for the rest of my time.

I’ll be taking the train to Liverpool for a few days so I can visit  Mary Poppins, and I want to spend at least a day in Bath living out my Jane Austen dreams lol! Though I promise I am NOT on the hunt for my very own Mr. Darcy.

In an exciting twist that I didn’t see coming, my two best friends from High School will be joining me for the first week of the trip!

We’ve traveled together for years, and it HAS helped to ease some of my nervousness to know that they will be there for the first little bit to help me figure out the ins and outs of train travel!

I am a bundle of nervous excited energy about this trip, and already stressing about what to pack for 20 days in England…

But seriously, what a problem to have am I right?!

If I am being honest I am also damn proud of myself.

This is a BIG deal.

A bucket list kind of deal, and I’ve worked really REALLY hard to get here.

Many of you that have heard me speak at events have heard me say “You can have it all, but you can’t have it all right now.”

This dream coming true for me is proof that if you stay focused, if you keep moving forward bit by tiny bit…eventually you’ll get where you want to be.

I never thought this would happen…

How about you, do you have a secret dream?

And if so, what are you going to start doing today to make it happen?

Below are links that share the story of my adventures on this trip…

In London for the Queen’s Jubilee

The English Countryside

A Detour to France

Back in London

Photo Credit Willie Petersen

Categories: Life As It Happens, Prairie Life

Tags: , adventure, dreams come true, making things happen, sabbatical, the holiday, trip to england