I've been fortunate enough to have spent nearly two weeks with Betsy in DC following a highly last minute decision to get myself on a plane and, you know, actually visit my wife - we try and make the effort to see each other from time to time on account of being married and everything.
A day of frolicking in NYC aside (where I had an unexpected but very pleasant chat with Mayor de Blasio in a packed subway car, seems like a decent chap) one of the best things about this trip was the opportunity to spend time "normalising" DC. I've been to this beautiful city plenty of times, so there's no need on my end to be rushing around doing touristy things. Instead, while Betsy was at work I mainly spent my time checking logistical and practical tasks off my to-do list, walking and bonding* with Charlie, and exploring the neighbourhood.
But that's not to say that I wasn't able to pack in a fair few memories and experiences while I was here. Betsy took me to my second ever baseball game (go Nats!) on a beautiful spring evening which, to this sun starved Brit, felt like the height of summer. I got to experience the culinary highs and lows of America in a single evening, from a chili cheese dog at Ben's Chili Bowl (just amazing) to a Miller Lite, which is hands down the worst thing I've ever drunk from a can - you do some great beer, America, but that stuff is a crime against an undeserving human race. Anyway, we beat the Marlins so all was well!
Other highlights of the trip included waking up super-early to go see the cherry blossom with Betsy and Charlie. I have to admit that I was a little sceptical about this as blossom is undoubtedly pretty, but come on, 5.30am on a Saturday pretty? It turns out I was absolutely wrong - the nascent light from the rising sun gave a truly magical feel to a seemingly endless sea of soft pink trees, the sense of complete serenity only broken by Charlie's repeated attempts to launch himself into the tidal basin in chase of an elusive duck. That dog has no sense of the sublime.
Lots of other fun stuff took place, including a lovely walk to historic Alexandria from Georgetown and thoroughly enjoyable dinners and drinks with friends, but I won't go into too many details. In truth, the greatest part of the trip was just getting to spend time with Betsy in a "normal" way for the first time in the past year or so. Sure, we've seen each other on all sorts of visits, from the Bahamas to our wedding, but I haven't seen her off to work, walked with her to the metro, cooked dinners and planned weekends together, essentially do all the day to day things couples do, since she left London back in 2012. It was a taste of what we have to look forward to together, and fingers crossed the next time I'm headed over to see her, it will be for good.
*bribing with an endless stream of treats whilst sobbing LOVE ME to a confused labrador.
Photos from Jon's walk through Georgetown, across the river, and to Alexandria - the last photo was taken at the top of the George Washington Masonic National Memorial.
(I'm not really sure why he decided to take a tour of the building but he managed to see some "members only" areas/memorabilia and he said it was like something out of a Dan Brown novel!)
(I'm not really sure why he decided to take a tour of the building but he managed to see some "members only" areas/memorabilia and he said it was like something out of a Dan Brown novel!)
This post was read in my mind by a male British voice. Apparently, I think Jon sounds like Matthew Crawley. Anyway, that's so great you all got to experience the "normal" stuff of being married--even for those of us not in an LDR, it's nice to just be normal, married people and not be stressing over wedding planning. Fingers crossed you all won't have to wait much longer!
ReplyDeleteI had so many emotions whilst reading this post! You're bound to hear some good news soon and you two are saints of patience in the meantime. These past two weeks are like a practice round for when Jon is there for good! x
ReplyDeleteI like Jon so much. Glad we all got to video chat! I'm so happy you guys got some time together and can't wait for him to move, already! One day we will all meet for brunch and stop by the Anthropologie and have tea and do all sorts of fun things in person.
ReplyDeleteI just snorted my coffee out at the asterisked comment...
ReplyDeleteSo glad you guys had a great time! And it seems there is possibly that light at the end of the tunnel now! I remember when I moved home after living apart from Nick for 2 years, those day to day things Jon mentioned were the most magical things when we finally got to do them together. And to this day, I still don't take those for granted, so perhaps there is a silver lining after all! :)
ReplyDelete1. I love Jon for using the word "frolicking".
ReplyDelete2. Since Paul stays in Alexandria when he's in DC and has a curiosity of the Masons (who doesn't?), we've intended to tour the monument, but haven't yet. Love the view, though!! Now I feel like it should be higher on our priority list next time we're up!
3 (and most important). YAY FOR NORMAL TIMES!!!!! And as a fan of you two, I am eager for NORMAL TIMES to become EVERYDAY TIMES as soon as possible!
If you and Jon both actually speak the way you write, I can only imagine the high caliber of your conversations.
ReplyDeletewe're setting up life here in DC too! hope to catch up one day ;-)
ReplyDeleteThis was excellent! He said whilst and cap! Bloody brilliant. (Can I say bloody brilliant or is that an English curse word?)
ReplyDeleteYour man has quite the turn of phrase! Looks like you guys had a great time. Hope everything goes as it should and you can be done with the long distance tomfoolery!
ReplyDeleteJon is quite the writer! I love that him and Charlie got on. Hope you had a lovely two weeks doing the "normal couple" things. Fingers crossed for hearing more visa news soon! xxx
ReplyDeletehaha I definitely think that's a compliment to Jon - Dan Stevens speaks BEAUTIFULLY!
ReplyDeleteYAY me too! and yes PLEASE. still hoping you guys end up back in the DC area :)
ReplyDeletethat's absolutely a silver lining - I know sometimes when Jon visits he wishes we did more "special occasion" sorts of things because he's on holiday, but I'm like "can we please just snuggle on the couch in front of Law and Order?"
ReplyDeletehaha I think our writing is sliiiiiiiightly better edited but other than that... I will let you believe it :P
ReplyDeleteOMG WHAT. taking this conversation to Facebook ASAP!
ReplyDeleteyou and Jon and your "whilst"s :P
ReplyDeletehaha no it's not a curse word! and he is bloody brilliant, I think :)
ReplyDeletehaha he wasn't kidding - I witnessed the entreaties!
ReplyDeleteso... Jon says that if you're not a Mason or with a Mason-affiliated group you don't have access to a lot of the building (including the top). he managed to stick himself on to the end of an official tour! heads up, you might have to get sneaky :P
ReplyDeleteTotally! I remember that same feeling! :)
ReplyDeleteAwwww!!!! Besides the fact that it's totally sweet for Jon to write a post for you (and us!), he's also a good writer!!!!
ReplyDeleteWhat an enjoyable post. I disagree about Charlie, though - I think pets launching themselves after animals is plenty sublime. Ly adorable.
ReplyDeleteShoot. I mean to say he said CHAP. Not cap. Oh well. I suppose cap is a British thing to say too anyway. Mostly, he's a funny writer. The asterisk was bloody brilliant ;)
ReplyDeleteHey Betsy, been reading your blog sporadically over the past year, but have never commented before. My husband and I went through the same immigration process after a long LDR. Just wanted to point out that Jon should not mention he works while he visits you. Even though he works for a company outside of the US and he gets paid in his home country, it is considered illegal and he does need a work permit even for that kind of work situation. Good luck with everything and I hope he can be in DC with you for good very soon.
ReplyDeleteSo nice to hear from both sides of the couple. :) I'm so happy for you guys that you were able to spend some normal time together!
ReplyDeleteWhen we get together to go to that County Fair, Jon and Gregory can bond over their mutual hatred for Miller Lite ;) x
ReplyDelete