I'm sure you've felt a sense of belonging to places you've visited. What was it about it? Could it be the weather? The people or the food? Maybe a combination of everything? Were you able to pinpoint it? For me, and maybe for John, there's not just one aspect of Paris that answers that question. One question that I can answer, though, is how bad is the jet lag? Well...this trip, we powered through the first day easily enough, but by 10pm, we were really pushing it. Why spend the money on lie-flat beds on a plane when you get take those funds and book your hotel room for the night before you arrive. If you're arriving in the morning, as often is the case to Europe, you go directly to your room, where you can unpack, relax, shower or even nap for a few hours. In addition to doing most of those things, we probably should have had some shut eye because the next day we slept past 10am. If this were our first time in Paris, I would have been disappointed that we missed the morning. Instead, we walked to a fantastic tea shop to restock up on our low supply from earlier this year, bought some European iPhone plugs to make it easier to charge our devices and met John's old San Antonio friend for a very long lunch.

If there's one thing I'd wish for people, it is to sit down and ENJOY your food and friends. Why do we rush lunches and dinner back home? Scoffing down food without savoring every bite and the talking with the company you are with that day is the worst thing America does. Well, not the worst, I can think of a million more, but it is one of the things I hate. We found a restaurant in the shade, enjoyed a fantastic burger and frites along with our respective spritzes. We laughed, had great conversation about politics (which I never engage in back home), the use of a/c in Europe and more. After John (not my John) gave me a lesson in saying French numbers (my new favorite is 99), we found a cafe to sit some more. There are no other unique adventures - so far -  just a day that makes me realize that life is meant to be lived.

Still a big jet lagged, John finally rose from his nap. Initially, our plan was to walk to the 16, but halfway there and with an hour left to walk, we opted for a cafe that we liked on St. Honoree. And, of course, dinner is always an adventure. First, John had no idea I disappeared from the table to take the winding stone staircase down to the restroom, and second a famous (if you follow the world cup) Italian Soccer player caused the woman in front of us to jump and take a picture with while the player's girlfriend - or wife - I have no idea, politely stood aside. The restaurant, we decided, although one of favorites, is better suited for lunch than dinner. We wandered back to our arrondissement so we could end the night with more wine, winding up at one of our favorites, Les Philosophe, where our favorite waiter remembered us from our past visits. The hightlight of the night was perhaps the drunken boy stumbling down the avenue with a glass and bottle of wine. We have to give him credit - he stumbled, braced himself against the wall but never, ever dropped the bottle. Thankfully, even with all the wine we've had, we've never been that messy. But, that didn't stop John from sleeping - oh let's just say that Saturday morning, I had coffee and croissants alone. The only thing on our agenda, however was getting to Père-Lachaise cemetery, where Edith Piaf is laid to rest, among others. How we got there or how long it took was irrelevant.

The cemetery is located in the 20th arrondissement and it's humbling and majestic. There are those from Versailles to the present, and some graves have long since been visited. We found our way to Edith Piaf and listening to the group of visitors singing La Vie en Rose was so moving. Here were people paying tribute to a great artist, and I hoped somewhere she knew how much she was loved. Eventually, we find out way out - but not before I was worried we'd be so lost that we'd wind up behind the moss covered wall that surrounds the burial grounds. It was great to see a cafe at the end of the street, where we quickly took refuge and had - of course - some wine.

To be back in Paris in summer has been such a gift. We had dinner at an Italian restaurant we visited on New Year's Day, and I don't know if our server really remembered us, but she said she did and it was an amazing welcome.

"Yes, yes, it was cold, it was raining, there was a line of people at the Instagram crepe place next door. I remember you," she said. "I am so happy to have you back. When you come back, you make sure I am here." And, with that, she gave me a hug and it was then that I knew she remembered us. Maybe it was the bottle of wine, who knows, but in that moment, I felt at home and that Paris is more than welcoming.

During dinner, we met two women. A mother from the south shore of Boston (!) and her daughter who was here on a semester abroad. I wish I could tell you how joyous our conversation was, but the one thing I relayed was that I was so happy to see a daughter and mother so happy together. I told them how I had taken my mom to this very city and how special it was to both of us. We could have talked to them for hours - in fact, our sever asked if we were picking up their tab. That reminded me of when my mom and I were in Florence and almost the same situation happened. It was a surreal moment for me.

After we finished, John and I meandered back to the right bank - stopped at our favorite ice cream place where he licked chantilly off my face and we walked hand - in - hand, to our goldilocks cafe where we had more wine and tried to understand the World Cup game between France and Paraguay.

Overall, besides me practicing my French numbers, (I know now how to say 99) and picking up bits of phrases, it was a simple day. I don't have any epiphanies to write about, except that holding John's hand walking past Notre Dame and to our hotel felt surreal and perfect all at the same time. I wish everyone could experience Paris like this. Tune out all the ridiculous stories they hear about the city and its citizens and just enjoy life. This is La Vie en Rose. Life is being with someone you love, sharing it with the people you love and living your best life while you are still above ground.