Paris Romance

Paris. We road tripped there for one day—a perfect, romantic day for Luise, Peter, Dom and me.

We felt like high society Europeans.

“Oh, I’m tired of work! Darling, why don’t we escape to Paris, just for the day?”

“Oh, what a delightful plan. Let’s do!”

When we arrived, I felt the same thing I had sensed in the air on my first trip with my dad: Romance.

It whispered sweetly off the wrought-iron, yet delicate balconies; the cozy cafes diffused its rich, loving scents through cafe au laits in ceramic bowls, flaky, fresh croissants, and artistic food that that must be admired like an inspiring painting before eaten; the Parisians showed its beauty through their out of a fashion magazine accouterments they glided in down the cobblestone streets.

I fell in love with Paris on that trip with my dad years ago, and knew I must return one day with my love. Whoever that would be.

We lived out the theme of the city that day. Peter and Luise admired each other with loving eyes and held hands. Dom and I walked arm in arm in a sweet daze all over the avenues in a wonderland of love.

With millions of other people.

Avenue des Champs-Élysées was flooded with tourists. We weren’t sure why. It was Halloween, but was that a big day to visit Paris? We pushed through the visitors and still enjoyed Notre Dame, the Seine, and Arc de Triumph–along with crunchy baguette sandwiches, heart-warming quiche Lorraine, and succulent nutella and banana crepes.

And of course the Eiffel Tower.

Dom and I decided we had to go to the very top. My dad and I had gone to the second level, but never made it all the way up. Peter and Luise had already done it on another trip, so they took off, while Dom and I joined the rest of Paris waiting in a maze of lines under the Tower’s strong legs.

We waited, gazing up at its massiveness. And waited, listening to the fellow tourists speaking different languages and all shivering a bit in the cold breeze. And waited some more, in Dom’s warm arms, looking up as the sun went down. For 2 hours.

Then we went up to the second level, and waited in a squished line to go to the top. For 30 more minutes.

Ah, but then we rode the last elevator to the top. And the wait was worth every second.

We couldn’t get enough of joining in with the delight of all the visitors around us, especially the couple to the left who were leaning next to the wall.

The gentlemen shakily got out a small box from his bag, and whispered a question in the ear of his love. Her face lit up like the lights blinking on the Tower. She shyly nodded, whispered something to him, and he slipped on the ring.

They embraced. I held Dom a little tighter, knowing what that joy felt like.

Oh Paris. What a place to experience the icing on the cake of love, romance.

What a perfect end to our our Europe getaway. We have so many memories to refresh us during this weary job searching desert.

Even though we have no jobs at the moment, and are low on cash, we are rich—in friends, adventures, and God’s faithfulness.

“That man is th’ richest whose pleasures are the th’ cheapest.” Thoreau

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