My ''British parents''

What is this picture above?

It was the gift I had made for Brian and Ruth, whom I consider my ''British parents''.

I didn't expect they would regard the artwork as their golden wedding anniversary gift.

I brought the artwork to them from China in 2021 when I came to the UK for the third time. It is symbolic of their love and happiness.

Why do I have ''British parents''? This has been the most fortunate story I experienced in my life.

In 2018, it was my first time travelling in the UK. I went to Manchester and walked around the John Rylands Library.

I was holding an empty frame, trying to take a selfie. I tried several times, but it didn't work out.

Brian and Ruth were passing by and asked me ''do you need help?''

''YES, that would be great.''

Brian helped me take a photo.

Wanting to return the favour, I asked ''Can I help you two take a photo?''

Then we started a lovely conversation.

After I introduced myself and talked about my travel plans, they asked me ''Where will you stay if you come to London?''

''I have no plan yet, probably hotel or Airbnb.'' I replied.

Brian and Ruth said, ''it would be too expensive in London. You could stay in our house when you travel there as we live in London.''

Me ''Wow, that sounds excellent!''

Guess what?

Then Brian wrote his phone number and address on my notebook and vice versa.

As it turned out, it was also THEIR first time travelling to Manchester. Words cannot express how excited I was when they told me.

During that week, we kept in touch by sending text messages until I arrived at their house.

They told me when I should buy a ticket for the cheaper price and which line I should follow on the tube.

Finally, Brian picked me up from the tube station and drove me back to their house. Ruth was cooking dinner and waiting for us. You cannot imagine how I felt on that day, that week.

They made me feel at home. We had three meals together except when I was outside to be a real tourist. I intensely experienced what traditional British food tastes like. Ruth is a genius at baking and cooking British food.

Healthy and tasty at the same time!

We talked about cultural differences, cuisine, family background, history, geography... you name it.

I didn't visit many landmarks when I was with them. Talking to Brian and Ruth is more interesting than visiting tourist hotspots.

However, one week was not enough for everything we wanted to talk about.

I went to the UK again in 2019 and directly went to London to stay with them.

My second time in the UK was spent visiting them and travelling to other cities. Brian helped me plan a route from the north to the south, so I could travel to seven cities within a week.

At the end of the journey, I returned to stay with them again and shared my travel experience.

We have been keeping in touch for about four years. They are also why I chose the UK to pursue my master's degree.

Since I started studying in the UK, they have cared for me more often. We talk once a week via video chat. If I feel too exhausted, they ask me to come to London and look after me as their daughter. Words cannot express their love.

They usually ask me to visit them on special occasions to give me a complete picture of British culture.

One of the most memorable experiences was attending their golden wedding anniversary. After that, I made a 45-minute video for the special day. It was entirely my first time, but successfully, they felt very happy about the movie I made for them.

I believe not many people could feel what a 50-year marriage looks like; I'm so lucky to be one of them.

This photo was taken on the day of their golden wedding anniversary.

This was when we travelled together.

I'm still learning from them, what they've experienced, and what they are learning.