Yesterday was the 8th anniversary of my move to Paris! I got caught up in other things yesterday, and though I intended to blog about it, at the end of the day it just didn't happen.
Ironically, it's been very fresh in my mind of late, what it felt like to arrive here in Paris and to know I wasn't only staying for a few short days. I've been editing the hell out of my memoir (pleased to say I'm right on track to get it all done by the end of the month!) and just finished the "arrival" chapter a couple of days ago.
So help you refresh your own memories (or if this is the first time you're going that far back in blog history), here's what happened:
- First, I found a great apartment in the suburb of Vincennes.
- Then, I booked a flight and got to use my frequent flyer miles, so it was FREE.
- Then the apartment fell through, and I had to figure out another plan.
- I had to tell people close to me that I was moving to Paris.
- I had to figure out what to pack and what to do with everything else I wasn't packing.
- I also started writing about my move to Paris for the Bonjour Paris online magazine.
- I dipped my toes back in the dating pool with some online websites.
- I said many, many goodbyes.
- I got on the plane. Then I landed.
- And then my new Paris life began, for real.
I had no idea what was going to happen once I got here. I just knew I had no choice but to come, and let a new life unfold and lead me where it would. It was either take the risk and go to Paris, or stay where I was, where I would watch my soul wither and die more with each passing year. Because that's exactly what it felt like: that I SHOULD be in Paris, no matter what.
So, I did it.
Eight years, one husband, three step-kids, dozens of new friends, one French passport, many wonderful adventures, many frustrating challenges, tons of delicious food and wine, moving several times in Paris, finding a job in France and going on unemployment in France, buying and renting an investment property in France, and several thousand blog posts plus one memoir later -- I'm still here.
Best decision ever. No regrets. Still living boldly, on my own terms.
