The First Meeting- UK Visit

After talking for a few months we were both eager to meet, but many factors (my exams/uni work, money,etc) meant it was planned for another 6 months in the future- it was a bit depressing to sit there in July and know we werent going to meet until the February, but we had little choice, and looking back, having that little bit more time was good, it let us know one another even better and really tested the vailidity and strength of our romance! I seriously recommend not rushing into your 1st meeting until all factors are ready- you really do need the money to be able to make the most of your time together, and visit places etc, and you need to know you will be safe if you are to stay in another country/place!

Finally he came to visit me in sunny England, February 8th until the 22nd! We stayed together in Sheffield at my student house. It was a big thing,, meeting for the first time,, many thoughts and fears do go through your mind, no matter how confident you are about your romance, its just natutral in the circumstances!)

He flew over 12hours . Then had to wait a while in British Immigration and customs! They asked him lots of questions and even came to speak to me before they granted him stay in the country! So BE PREPARED that they may need to see evidence that you do know one another (they read a letter from me that he had on his person) as young people travelling alone appears to arise suspicion (maybe even more so now after the tragic events of Sept 11th and recent problems with asylum seekers that the UK govt seems to be concerned over.) So do be warned, you may experience no questions at all (as i did when arriving in the U.S) but u might also need to go through what we did.

Many questions often asked is "Should i hug/kiss him/her when i see them??"- well we did and that totally broke the ice...but some couples decide not to, depending on the situation and what feels right, just go with the flow and stay cool, you will do whatever is best :)

While he was here we both had a holiday as i took the week off of uni classes (tut tut, i know hehe but it was only intro lectures and i did catch up easily afterwards-it gave me something to do to fill the void after he had left)

I would reccommend meeting their family and friends as this will not only make you more a "part" of their lives and see for yourself what it is you spent so long describing etc to one another online/phone, but also you get to see how they interact with other people, which is infact a good indicator to what they are REALLY like behind any veneer or "rose-tinted" view you may have of them from the circumstances! I will admit, i learned a lot more about my man when I was over there in HIS culture and environment than when he was here, he was on his "best-behaviour" when he was visitng me, but over there he was more himself, and natural, and even after dating him for over a year, i learned so much more about him then!! I do soooooooo recommend each visitng one anothers environments at least once before deciding to progress to something more permanent or whatever! It really is an eye opener- especialy if you havent experiienced their country/culture etc before, ike I hadnt with the USA! There are many cultural differences, even in the same country.... and as i said, being in their home territory, with their family and friends etc, does bring out the real them, as opposed to a place they dont know and only know one person (you)

Click here to see the differences in US and UK cutlture!!

If you are visiting a new culture/country/city/state you havent been to before i seriously suggest visiting some of the landmarks/sights together, so it makes it a holiday aswell as just a meeting. It gives great memories, and also allows you both time to decide if you are really compatible etc, by being "friends" and sharing each others culture, just as you would have to in a serious union with that person!

There are many good tourist website on the internet to help you plan special day trips throughout the whole of the UK, from stately homes, to adventure parks, museums to parks...
If you are planning for your loved one to visit the UK, then i suggest you check these sites out in order to get the most out of your time together, obviously you can't do everything, and shouldnt try to fit too much in, but find out what sights your love would like to see, or what you think they would be interested in, and check opening times, days, prices etc beforehand to avoid any disapointments.