Bee's London, England - Nov 2022

As winter drew near, the anticipation of the upcoming holidays hung heavily over our household. The absence of Bianca, felt so keenly, left an ache in our hearts. Joel and I often found ourselves wondering how we would manage to get through each day, let alone the next hour.

The pain remains raw, even now.

In an attempt to occupy ourselves from the grief of celebrating holidays without Bianca, Joel and I embarked on a spontaneous trip, seeking solace in a place we knew she would have loved: London, baby!

Bianca had always been enamored with Europe—the culture, the cuisine, the shopping! Reminiscing about our family trip to Europe in 2018, where we explored Paris, Rome, and Florence despite the scorching summer heat, we were convinced she would have adored London too. So, we made a pact to view London through Bianca's eyes.

As first-timers to the city, we made sure to hit all the iconic landmarks—Buckingham Palace, the Changing of the Guard Ceremony, Big Ben, the London Eye, Westminster Abbey, St. Paul’s Cathedral, Windsor Castle, St. George’s Chapel, Tower Bridge, and Horse Guards Road. We savored the essence of London life at Trafalgar Square, Harrod’s, and paid homage to the magic of Harry Potter Photographic Exhibition. And for the occasion, I proudly wore Bianca's cherished Hufflepuff sweater (despite her allegiance to Ravenclaw!).

Culinary delights awaited us at every turn. Joel surprised me with a sumptuous dinner at Alain Ducasse, accompanied by a special dessert that served as a poignant reminder of Bianca's enduring presence. Afternoon tea at the Rosewood Hotel, adorned with a whimsical butterfly theme, was an experience to treasure.

Undeterred by the chilly weather, we braved the bustling Borough Market for lunch, eager to savor the famous cheese sandwich from Kappacasein, as featured in the Netflix special "Somebody Feed Phil," along with quintessential fish and chips.

To conclude our gastronomic adventure, we treated ourselves to a divine lunch at Hawksmoor, where the sticky toffee pudding left an indelible mark on our taste buds.

If you are ever able to try it, we have a few words for you: You're welcome.

Love you more, my sweet child.

Momma