Family Bonding (Diva Perry)

First Day

It started on our trip from Grand Rapids to York. This was the first time that almost all of us had met; some of us had taken an interim class together. I was very anxious about the trip and about not really knowing anyone else who was going. My fears of not making friends immediately disappeared. Our group seemed to click almost instantaneously, and our crazy travel adventure helped us bond a lot. On the bus to Chicago, everyone was talking to each other and laughing, and it felt as if we had known each other for a long time. When we arrived in Chicago, we had to find our way to the terminal, and we looked out for each other, not only in our assigned four-person “travel groups,” but also in our group as a whole. We made sure to wait for groups who were behind whenever we moved on, and in Philadelphia, when we had to board our next plane about ten minutes after landing, we made sure that everyone was accounted for when getting on the plane. I felt so close to this group already, and Kelsey and I were laughing and being crazy together on the plane as if we were old friends.

Once we landed in Manchester, we made sure everyone was accounted for and looked after before we left for York. We talked and laughed and made fun of each other as if we had always known each other. In York, the Van Lieres made us feel so welcomed. We went out as a group for dinner on our first night, and it was so lovely. I felt I belonged in this group, and it was only day one in York. Dinner was amazing, and I will always think back on it fondly. This was the beginning of bonding with my new family.

Durham

I remember Durham well because a lot of us of were freaking out about Harry Potter being filmed in the Durham cathedral cloisters; that was a great bonding experience. Not only did we bond over Harry Potter, we bonded in general. During our tours, we laughed and joked and commented on things together. It was also clear from about day two that we were a very supportive group with one another. We talked each other up, complimented each other, helped each other - just being supportive in every way. In Durham, this really exhibited itself when we were all taking pictures together and of each other. We helped each other with hair, positioning, fun pictures, cute pictures, all the while talking each other up. I was so afraid I wouldn’t be asked to be in photos, but I was invited to be in many, and it hit me that day that I love every person in our group.

Lindisfarne

Lindisfarne was beautiful, and it made it even better that I had this group of people there to enjoy it with me. Our group is not only supportive but also very goofy. We love laughing together. On this trip, I remember laughing so much at trying to take good photos, but also being ridiculous. I also remember just sitting together and enjoying each other’s company and the view. I also got to spend some time alone with Elizabeth Audrey, with whom I had not gotten to spend much time. I deeply enjoy spending time with everyone, but I love one-on-one time even more. Bonding as a group has been surprisingly easy, but I have a harder time trying with one person, so any time I can do this, it makes my day 100 times brighter. The sea and the island were stunning, and the fact that I was able to have more bonding time with my beautiful family made it all the better.

Helmsley and Rievaulx Abbey

This trip, while a lot of fun and very pretty, stands out to me mainly because of all the jokes and goofy pictures that happened that day. While at Helmsley Castle, there was so much laughing and giggling with so many crazy poses! I had a great time exploring with some of the girls as well. We wandered around below the castle being curious, and we even got a group picture. That experience on its own was great, but then the hike to the abbey added to the experience. The walking was hard at times, but everything we did brought us closer to the people around us. I thoroughly enjoyed getting to talk to Jackie and Elizabeth, whom I felt I hadn’t talked to as much. I also loved dancing with our little group to “I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles)” and “Send Me on my Way”; it made it better and more fun at a difficult spot. At the abbey, I got to spend time with people I had spent very little time with outside of the big group like Jenna, Harlie, and Henry, and that made me very happy, and I have a lot of great pictures!

Edinburgh

Edinburgh was my favorite trip so far. The family bonding on this trip was so amazing, and something I needed after a week of feeling alone. This trip reminded me that I have an incredible group of people around me whom I consider family, and we take care of each other. I will never forget this trip. The love and support radiate in this group and I could not be more appreciative. On Saturday night, a big group of us did homework and hung out together, and then we bought food and cooked dinner, played games, talked, and just lived in each other’s presence. It was such an incredible time, and I felt so at home with them. I spent time and talked with a lot of people in the group throughout this trip and got a lot closer to people I felt I hadn’t had the opportunity to bond with before, and I can’t tell you how much this trip brought me joy.

In the end, when I look back on my stay in York, I will remember going to pubs, museums, shopping, eating, laughing, and smiling with the family that I have here.