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| Locks of Love – Lockdown on the Siene River |
We power walked through the crowded streets inhaling the aroma of gunpowder and menthol, a bittersweet memory of 2011. Who knew that these memories would be ignited and relived so fast as to sense the same aromas on the way back home. The trip isn’t over yet pRoy… You still have a new year to begin … In Paris.
Earlier in the week (actually on the day of our walks) we saw the Institute de France and right across the street from it is a bridge over the Siene River. Now, there are many bridges in Paris that cross the river, but this one is like none of the others. This particular bridge is wired and on the wires of this bridge live locks that embody the names of couples that have visited this river and left a memento of them experiencing Paris together. I’d like to call these mementos “Locks of Love”.
We thought it would be cool to add a lock of our own, so on the day we visited the Louvre, we detoured from our normal travel through the city to stop at this bridge again. We purchased a lock from a street vendor who also had a permanent marker in which we wrote the following:
The lock came with keys, so we are going to keep a key for ourselves! It is a very romantic gesture, and I am looking forward to revisiting that lock as years pass… #sappymoment
Okay, fast forward to Day 8 where we are walking aimlessly through the city. Before going to the Eiffel Tower, we actually stopped to visit our lock. Raining and all, we stood there, bundled up on that bridge overlooking the city. If you have never seen Paris at night, you are missing a treat. It is indescribable and just outright gorgeous. Well, since it did start to rain when we were waiting on the bridge, you can read what we did for the evening here.
We got back home, walked to our room and I was pooped. I was about to get ready for bed when he asked me to keep on my outtie so we could take some pics. Being that we were the only two there with no one to take any real pictures of us, we decided to use the timer to capture us both. As he played with the timer, I played with my poses… being silly, acting thuggish, you know – typical pRoy. He was finally ready to jump in the picture, so he grabbed his hat, grabbed his glasses, and exclaimed, “Oh, I have to get one more thing”. He reached inside of his coat that was draped on the bed, dropped to his knee, and asked me to be his wife (this happened all the while the camera was set to take our picture – he is a definitely slickster – he got me). With a dropped jaw and tears streaming down my face, I gave him the biggest “YES” anyone could ever imagine.
Was I expecting it? Honestly, no. I had come on the trip with the understanding that we were going to spend time and bring in the New Year together. I would not let my thoughts of a perfect proposal overtake the true beauty of the trip. I am a firm believer in there is a time a place for everything and had that time not come then, I would have been okay. And ladies, don’t go into what you may consider an ideal environment or ideal circumstances expecting those types of things. Enjoy the moment and live it to the fullest. You will be looking back on these experiences second guessing your actions if you don’t just live it up the first time. #endrant Paris was good to me, but you know what? That ring was the juiciest strawberry on top (I don’t like cherries like that)!Since we had already packed the night before, it was a matter of the waiting game to leave. I was so full off emotions that I could barely sleep. I wanted to make sure the family knew before anyone else, but being the slickster he is, he already told them his plans so they already knew. It had been a waiting game for them, so they were happy to end it with all of their congrats, best wishes, and we love yous. I thank God for such a support group. #awesome We locked down our love in Paris… what a perfect way to end our trip.
The night turned into day, and the sweet sounds of celebration from outside our window began to dwindle. I knew it was time for us to depart, but I wanted to stay in the moments and memories we created. We gathered the rest of our things, took a shuttle to the airport and got on Flight 767 back to the States. It was hard to say goodbye to our ‘hood. All the people we met and the relationships we made… All have faded to black, yet one thing is for certain: Faces may change but the spirit of the city will remain the same, and for that I am forever grateful. Until we meet again dear Paris… Au revior.
this is like a script out of a movie….
<3
AWWW this is amazing! Congrats!!! =) Great writer by the way, keep it up!
Newt – it’s still surreal
CT <3
Dana – thank you honey! You are too kind!
What a Beautiful Story!!!! How Romantic?! I’m EXTREMELY EXCITED and HAPPY for you two!!! Congrats Honey!!!
– Mia
Thank you Mia! <3
This is beautiful story that was beautifully written. Congratulations!
Thank you Clarice!
OMG CONGRATS!!! :.) Yes Aggie Pride in Paris lol
I really had a tear in my eye too lol
This is beautiful! Doesn’t every girl want to be proposed to in Paris?? 🙂
ps. hate to be annoying but the river is spelled Seine not Siene, hate to be a grammar nazi. your story is perfect.
Wow…