I said goodbye to Rick 2 days ago. Waved as he rode the tube escalator through to the secure area for passengers only. It’s been a fun-filled special 8 days together. This past year and a half we haven’t seen much of each other. He drove off from Portland every Monday morning to his job site in Redmond OR and returned Thursday or Friday. The first year he even worked most weekends at least half the day.

Needless to say we didn’t socialize often and there were NO planned activities. Any time we went out it was spontaneous and short. I did not enjoy this type of spontaneity but accepted it because that was the only option.

One thing my husband knows and supports is my love of travel. This years trip was especially long because it was three trips in one. I coordinated the beginning so I could meet my son Brian and his family in Paris and London. The end of my trip will be with my friend Anne and we’ll be walking the Cotswolds in Great Britain which left 2.5 weeks in the middle on my own. What to do? I’ve always wanted to stay in Paris and get to know the city. When I mentioned that possibility to Rick, his eyes lit up and then I waited…

When Rick said he would like to join me in Paris I was surprised but thrilled since he doesn’t love flying. Evidentially he loves me enough to make the long flight worthwhile. I love him right back and am especially glad we could enjoy exploring Paris together.

We walked an average of 9 miles every day taking in all of the beauty Paris has to offer. We figured out the Metro with the help of the Paris Metro app, we cheered with a beer every afternoon, we got up every morning and took turns making coffee. We were a team in Paris. It was good.

Au revoir my love! See you in Portland in 3.5 weeks!

#47daysineurope #paris