As an American expat living in the UK, it’s no surprised that I get this question all the time: why do you live here?

I got used to giving the boring, practical answer, probably because when that question is asked it summons my boggart, UK Visas & Immigration, knocking on my door accusing me of skirting their rigid rules.

Unless I’m going through customs, however, the intention behind this question is not to check my passport and residential status. So lately, I’ve decided to go with the vulnerable, emotional truth:

So…why do you live here?

P.S. Take a tour through my most magical city: Edinburgh’s Old Town / Fit for a Heroine