Springtime in Paris

We sold a truck so that we could go to Europe for 10 days when we had been married 20 years. It was an investment that Dave Ramsey would have disapproved of. He would have called us "Stoo-pid." But I would do it again without thinking twice. The professor and I went to visit friends in Switzerland who said we could couch-surf. Thankfully they actually had a guest room in their tiny apartment. We used their place as a base while we explored Geneva in Switzerland , Aosta in Italy, and Strasburg in Germany with our friends. Then we ventured out on our own and took a train to Paris for 3 days.

As soon as we arrived at our charming hotel in Paris and ducked into our cosy room, the Professor insisted we take a stroll to the Eiffel Tower. Thirty minutes later, he suggested we rest on a bench surrounded by flowers in a park below the iconic tower. It was so beautiful.

Then he did something he had never previously done. He dropped to his knee at my feet, pulled out a velvet ring box and proceeded to ask me if I would consider spending another 20 years together. Opening the box, I discovered the ring I had longed for 20 years before. Because our budget then did not cover the cost of that rings, I did without. (Dave Ramsey would be pleased.) But the Professor had found the ring in the estate section of a local jewelry store months prior to our trip. And bought it. (Take that, Dave!)

 

 I chose to stay with him another 20 years. Best decision ever. At the time I wasn't certain we'd make it another year. Our marriage might be called  late blooming. We didn't really hit our stride until the 30 year mark. But the last decade has been incredible.

This one's for you, Baby. Je t'aime. Bunches.

(Materials used in above image:

Golden fluid acrylic paints, Golden gel medium, gel pens, Micron pens, Sharpie water-based paint pens, an print from a hand cut stamp created from an engagement photo shoot.
Tools used to create above image:
Fingers, bubble wrap and water brushes.