I woke up very happy indeed this morning, for I think yesterday was one of the greatest days of my life. It was the type of day which makes you reflect on how good life is. Despite the taxi being slightly late, we made it in good time to my grandmothers house on the other side of London. I think Lyn was feeling somewhat nervous, and to be honest I was too, but we need not have worried. As soon as we got there, my uncle came out to the cab to greet us, then my dad, and I felt as if I’d come home.

For as long as I can remember, my parents had taken me, every few months, to visit my grandparents in Harlesden, so much so that their house was as familiar to me as my own. Going there yesterday, with so much off my family there, felt like slipping into an old pair of slippers or starting to read your favourite childhood novel for the umpteenth time. It felt cozy and warm, and it was then I remembered what a great family I have. Luke and Yan were there, with Yan’s mum, my uncle and aunt, both my grandmothers, and, of course, my parents. I did my best to hug everybody. We sat down to talk in the front room while we waited for dinner.

There’s not more I can say, really, other than giving a rather tedious account of what we spoke about. Yet I must say how great it felt to be there with Lyn, and to see her accepted, as it were, into the family, not that there was any doubt that this would happen: everybody got on like a house on fire. Christmas dinner was excellent, and easily ranks alongside these three as one of my all-time favourite meals. I must say, too, of how proud I am of my parents, for various reasons. For example, mum made a vegan alternative for Lyn, Andrezj and Natalia, as they don’t eat meat

I don’t think I can explain fully why all this made me happy; it just made me very happy indeed. Sitting around the table with Lyn and most of my family, and then playing dominoes at the kitchen table in the early evening, made me realise what a bloody lucky man I am. I must admit I felt rather sad to hear the doorbell ring, meaning the taxi had come to take us home, yet I also felt refreshed and reinvigorated, as if seeing my family had reset something. The pangs of homesickness I’ve felt, on and off, for the last few days have disappeared and I feel keen and excited about the day, week, month and year ahead.

Yesterday, for me, was very special indeed.