Letter 26

We’ve all seen the beautiful moments narrated by Hugh Grant at the beginning and end of Richard Curtis’ Christmas classic. The intimate interactions filmed at the arrival gate of Heathrow airport are truly heartwarming.

“Fathers and sons, mothers and daughters, husbands and wives, boyfriends, girlfriends, old friends”

It’s about saying goodbye and greetings upon return; happy and sad tears and hugs and kisses. When my mum drops me off at the airport, I know there will be tears and hugs. She will watch me walk up the stairs to check in, as I’ve done so many times, and we’ll wave goodbye. But it won’t be sad. I know she is happy and proud of me, and I know that I have exciting new experiences ahead of me. That will be what the tears represent.

This will be my last letter coming from the east side of the Atlantic. For 3 months anyway. This time Saturday I will be on the plane heading to DC! So in this letter, the 26th one, I would actually like to speak about love.

I spend a lot of time away from home. I spend all year in Edinburgh at university and then each summer I intend to spend away travelling, something I work so hard to make happen. In the days and weeks leading up to time away I have a chance to spend quality time with my friends and family. Then whilst I’m away I get to send postcards and messages sharing my experiences and hearing all about what’s going on back home. I feel that both university and travel has strengthened the bonds between myself and the people most important to me.

So when you feel upset leaving friends and family before a trip, think about the scenes in love actually, and the words spoken.

“It seems to me that love is everywhere. Often it’s not particularly dignified or newsworthy, but it’s always there…If you look for it, I’ve got a sneaky feeling you’ll find that love actually is all around.”

All the love,

From Lou

PS. See you on the other side!