Sabbatical Day 19: Anniversary in Paris

Thirty-seven years ago today, Mollie Williams can attest to this: the day was a little off kilter. We had the wedding photographer from hell. A photographer far more interested in her photos than she was in the wedding ceremony. A lesson I have never forgotten and always informs the instructions I give to photographers of weddings in which I am the celebrant. 1. Don’t delay the ceremony. 2. Take all the photos you want from where ever you want BUT I never want to be aware of your presence. Don’t let me see you, and don’t get in the way. This is a religious ceremony for which the couple have spent a lot of time preparing for. 

Our wedding was delay be nearly 45 minutes because the photographer would not stop taking pictures. Mollie, the officiant, finally came to where we were taking pictures and insisted on starting. I had absolutely no idea of the time. The day was hot and complicated, as wedding days often feel for the couple marrying. But when all was said and done, the ceremony was lovely (thank you Mollie) and we headed off for a night of celebrating. 

The next day we had breakfast at the infamous Pump Room in Chicago, then we went home, packed and flew to Salt Lake City, leaving our gifts unopened. 

Now here we are 37 years later, with two full grown children and two grandchildren, celebrating this anniversary in Paris. We’ve spent three very full days here with lots of walking and sight seeing. Today we intentionally decided to spend the day with less walking. Besides it was supposed to rain all day. We began the day, as always, having breakfast in the little dining area of this charming little hotel. Then we headed off, the only goal being a yarn store about twenty minutes away. It was very cool and threatening to rain. But, we found the store easily. 

The store was little, but included a nice selection of yarn, fabric, beads, and buttons. I bought a bunch of yarn. It’s unclear how much I actually have, but I think it will be enough to make something like a shawl. I confirmed that the yarn is from France, not the USA (since they also sell yarn made in the USA and Scotland). I also bought buttons. While I was shopping Dan was watching the firefighters down the street navigate extremely small parking spots.

The name of the shop La Droguerie 

Winding my yarn

After shopping we walked back to the hotel where I changed into warmer clothes. Then we wandered over to a nearby cafe for some crepes and coffee and people watching. I had a crepe with spinach, cheese, and smoked salmon. (It was very good). Dan had a crepe with egg, cheese, and ham. 

After people watching we wandered around a bit the returned to the hotel to organize our stuff and pack. Several hours later we showered, dressed, and went out for dinner. The hotel owner recommended a place, the Brasserie Vangenende. A little place a few minutes from the hotel. 

The restaurant was ornate and lovely. We ordered a variation on a caprese salad: burrata cheese (form of fresh mozzarella) with quartered tomatoes and a basil sauce. They also bought balsamic vinaigrette and olive oil to top it with. The pesto/basil sauce was lovely, the tomatoes were very good, and the cheese was light and delicious. The olive oil was lighter than any I’ve ever had, but still olive oil. It was perhaps the best dish I’ve had since I’ve been traveling. Maybe. We followed that with a chateaubriand in a peppery bearnaise sauce for Dan and tuna marinated in lime and served over ratatouille for me. Both were fabulous. 

After dinner we went for a walk and finished with an ice cream at the place we went too a few days ago. 

This has been a very special way to conclude this trip, spending four days in Paris with my husband. I never ever thought I’d get here. It’s been the location of many of my anxiety dreams for years - the place I, for some reason, was going too, but for one reason or another, could never make it. When I was stuck in the airport on Sunday and couldn’t find my way out of the walkway I was in, to where Dan was, it was my dream come true. But my anxiety dreams never included Dan being there. So that fact made the entire experience different, he working with me to find one another and leave. One thing I know from these three weeks, I never want to travel without him again. He is my partner in life and love and I want to share all of my adventures with him.