Our last Saturday in Paris has been one that I will never forget. Where to begin? Is it from meeting my college friend Sue and her husband in Paris or is it maneuvering our way through the tens of thousands of music revelers in the city for the 2025 Fête de la Musique? However I try to explain, all I can say is that it is something I could never have imagined and something, despite the sheer panic that at times overtook me trying to get back to our hotel room, I am glad to have experienced it.

Sue and I met when I transferred to Boston College in 1984. I was a shy (can you believe it?) commuter student who had no friends and stuck to himself. I joined the BC Chorale because singing in the high school choir was something I enjoyed and I figured it would be fun to do on a grander scale. Making it through the audition was nerve wracking, but I still kept to myself. Sue was the social director and she got me out of my shell, asking me to write the newsletter and introducing me to other members of the chorale. I would have been content with just singing and going home, but Sue helped me break out of my shell. Her friendship meant everything to me then and it means so much more now. Before email and social media, we wrote letters and I would visit her in Chicago every summer. No matter how much time had passed, it were as if it were yesterday, and just like my friend Serge, it has always been an easy friendship. Something I treasure more than anything. When I found out she was coming to Paris to celebrate her ten year anniversary, I was beyond excited to meet her.

"Let's meet in Paris," is always something I dreamt of saying  and now it was coming true. Sue has been with me through all my moves, all my relationship stories, and she knew my mom. I can't imagine the last 41 years without her. 41! I had to let that sink in tonight and after a glass of wine and a Limoncello Spritz, it was almost too overwhelming to handle. But trying to get through the crowds of the music festival sobered me up pretty quickly. This city is like Madi Gras on steroids and alcohol mixed with every White Party and celebratory parade. There is music on every block, dancing on the streets, traffic backed up for miles, police sirens in the distance and on the next block. All I could think was 'how do they clean up this city when this is over?' It will be interesting to see when we wake up if there's any hint of what is happening outside the quiet walls of our hotel.

Earlier, John and I sat in the Luxembourg Gardens before we met up with Sue for an afternoon drink. We tried to stay out of the sun for as long as possible. The Gardens are stunning and we found a shaded walk way to sit and enjoy the views. For sure, we want to return in the fall or winter to be able to walk around without the intense sun beating down on us. Of course, the day wouldn't be complete without a visit to a church and this one really took my breath away. The Eglise Saint Sulpice is not only massive, it's stunning in every capacity. I didn't expect to hear the organist concert. Hearing Darth Vader's theme from Star Wars in a church is - to say the least - a different experience.

After a very brief respite, we returned to the 5th to meet up with Sue and Scott - dodging the DJ's on the corners and crowds dancing and drinking in the streets. How we managed to find a quiet avenue to have dinner is beyond me. We sat talking about life, our love of Paris and a million other topics that I will remember long after tonight. One thing I can't wrap my head around is how the two of them only have carry on bags for a week's stay. Even if John and were  here for 7 days, we'd never be able to accomplish that feat.

To be sitting at dinner with John and a friend I have had so long was really overwhelming. I don't know how good a job I did at concealing my amazement or how I stopped myself from getting more emotional. This journey of mine still surprises me. Holding John's hand through the massive crowd was comforting and I thought of my mom and how she put her arm in mine as we walked these Parisian streets. These crowds would have frightened her, but she would've held on tight like I did tonight.

Sunday is our last day in Paris. We'll throw all our stuff into our suitcase, pack up all the shoes we've purchased and find a place for dinner to relax before our plane home on Monday morning. We'll go back to San Antonio and as cliché as it sounds, we'll always have Paris. The joy of this city, the sheer abundance of living is something to hold onto whenever I start feeling sad or put too much thought into the past. There was no question that Paris was the place for our honeymoon. It embodies everything we love about each other, and we've shared some special days with some very special people in our lives.

There's so much more of the world to explore with each other, but Paris - well Paris is - magical, crazy, crowded, quiet, reserved, insane, and breathtaking. It has given me so many memories. First on my own and then with people who mean the world to me. Sitting at dinner, as I watched my friend and my husband chatting, I realized how very lucky I am. I have the best friends, the best partner in life. I had the best mother who I got to show this incredible city to when she was healthy enough to experience it. Paris has given me incredible memories. I can repay it by returning over and over - because Paris is always a good idea.