I was never one of those girls who fantasized endlessly about her future wedding. I didn’t necessarily see a trailing white gown or a 4-tiered wedding cake nor did I hear Pachabel serenading me down the aisle in my imagination. I was too busy imagining who I would meet that would be worthy of taking the leap into marriage. I wondered when I would stop putting myself into precarious situations with men and find someone that appreciated me, flaws and all.
I had to leave the country to find that.
Long gone were the days of being belittled for my francophilia by ignorant and unsupportive boyfriends – I had found the person that would make my Parisian dream a reality. One of my friends recently asked me how I knew I had fallen in love and all I could say was the realization hit me like a brick. Not exactly an elegant way of describing one of the most pivotal moments in my life, but the imagery is fitting. It was not a clichéd fairytale of romance but one of progressive bonding. Despite struggled speech, we valiantly succeeded at turning a fleeting 7 week romance into something more solid, knowing full well that life would be more interesting with the challenges of a multi-cultural relationship.
Two years ago today, we were married at the Mairie du XIème (city hall of the 11th arrondissement) in front of friends and family (though not all could be present) and celebrated at L’Appart Lafayette with food I hear was delightful.
“He’s a first class guy”, my father said during his toast, with tears streaming down his face. I will never forget these words because it was at that moment I knew he was officially welcomed into our family.
Two years have flown by and we’re still learning, still trying to be what the other needs. There are days when it doesn’t feel right and others that prove I couldn’t have found a better match for me. The ups and the downs fit seamlessly into a French life – a life rife with highs and lows, smiles and scorns, celebration and mourning. I can only hope that we won’t ever forget the beginning – the brick falling, the fervent gazing, the walks through the city, and even the tears of separation.
Bon anniversaire chéri… let’s keep learning together.
{Wedding photos courtesy of François Jorez}
