Monday, February 14, 2011

Valentine's Day Fantasy Relinquished

In honor of St. Valentine, this seems like the perfect day to give up one of my long-held romantic fantasies.
I will now give up my dream of someday marrying a Frenchman and moving to France.
I know, I know what you're thinking...why give up on your fantasy when you're in the prime of your life? Well, my 20-year marriage looks like it may take, after all.
And, although Earl has said he's willing to make concessions if he can move to France too, maybe as a gardener or cabana boy, I think I should simply put this dream to rest.
Why, you may ask, did I not act on this dream before I married a boy from Ohio?
Well, after my stint in France, I wasn't actually intent on living there. I came home and made plans to go to grad school. I dated the New Zealander. I studied in Washington, DC and visited the French embassy only once. I fought for an internship in United Arab Emirates. The world was my oyster and I could have nestled anywhere. I did not, at that time, have my heart set on France.
Now I've visited France nine times and when I come home, I long for the lifestyle of France -- not just the food.
So, I have informed my daughter that if she wants to live abroad, the easiest way is to fall in love with a man who lives in that country.
I'll find some other path, and take my husband along with me.
I wouldn't enjoy it without him anyway.
Photo from http://www.timoelliott.com/personal/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/heart.jpg

5 comments:

Just Me said...

Too funny !

Linda said...

I never had that fantasy of living in France and, yet, here I am. I always had the bug to travel so I'm enjoying France. I got here by marrying a Frenchman so you are right about that. I know a woman who moved here-it was her dream-and worked as she could do her business with a computer. A year later she met and then married a Frenchman but I'm not sure how often something like that happens.

Paulita said...

Probably very rarely, especially when you are already married!

Anonymous said...

If Grace follows your advice she would be days away rather than hours.... oh well cant have everything.

Paulita said...

No, Grace will be very close by because that's where Earl and I will be moving!

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