Our Why

Dearest Reader,

In 1994, my mom and I went on a trip to San Francisco to go Christmas shopping. I don't think either one of us realized at the time how life-changing that trip would be, and the commitment it would draw from within us both as I entered adulthood. I remember so much about that trip, from Chinatown to Sausolito, and Fisherman's Wharf to Pier 39. It was my first real trip after coming to the age where shopping started getting fun, and toy stores became less appealing (although FAO Schwartz back then was fire). I was 14 years old. I had just gotten my braces off, and I remember how weird it felt to smile for every picture we took. It feels like a lifetime ago, and I suppose it was. It was before high school and college and sobriety and marriage and babies. It was just me and my mom and it remains some of my most fond memories. 

At the end of that trip, we decided that we would do some version of that trip every few years just for the sake of spending time together and going Christmas shopping. The last few decades have been spent in San Francisco for two more years, New York City for three years, and then Chicago for our last trip before Nate was born. We planned on 2020 for our next trip. It didn't happen. 

When it started to feel like COVID may *actually* be going away, we started talking about how big we could go after not taking a trip for close to 6 years. Paris was the only correct answer to that question. Throwing in London was extra credit. 

As I sit here tonight in Paris, I am so grateful for this time with my mom. Although we live just five miles apart, we don't see eachother as often as you might think. I am frequently doing my thing, and her doing hers, that it will suddenly have been several weeks since I have seen her. As time marches on and the inevitavility of age begins to take hold, I will remin in loving gratitude of our mother/daughter trips and all I learned from each of them. 

Bienvenue sure mon blog sur Paris. 

Jennie






















+

3 in san fran
3 in ny
1 in chicago
1 paris/london

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