Handsome man 'o mine and I met in 1996. I was only a teenager and completely in love with him despite the seven year gap between us in age. I grew up in Mississippi, USA where I spent most days perched on a wooden church bench minding my P's and Q's, responding with politness of, 'Yes Ma'am' and 'No thank you Ma'am'. It was small town living for me and so much of the world, I wanted to see for myself.
Handsome man 'o mine was amazing and even though we lived in seperate countries he continued to make me feel special and deeply loved. I had never travelled abroad and had dreams of seeing the Eiffel Tower in Paris. The closest I ever came to that dream at the time were old photos my grandmother had taken on her journey there years before hand. I would gaze at her photos of delightful french-ness, my eyes glazing over in a dreamy coma. Handsome man 'o mine once made the promise,
'Someday, I will give you Paris.'
I found that sentence spoken so very romantic and for years would cling on to the hope and promise he made. Years passed and handsome man 'o mine and I eventually took a break after trying a distant relationship for three years. I never forgot about yearning to see Paris. Nor, did he.
In 2003, we found each other again. Missing our relationship and more determined to make it work, I packed everything I owned into two suitcases and made the plunge to live in England with him. In 2003, we married and all was perfection. Our first wedding anniversary, I was presented with a shimmering envelope, with an uncertain thickness about it. Opening it with great anticipation, I wondered what he would surprise me with. Falling to my lap, were two flights to Paris. I could feel the tears building in my eyes.
I shall never forget seeing the Eiffel Tower for the first time. This small southern belle from Mississippi was on top of the world. He gave me Paris.
Never will I forget. It isn't just a memory in my mind. The moment still belongs in my heart.













