When you're down, and troubled, and you need a helping hand - nothing beats a weekend in Paris with your hubby, friends and loved ones and their kids! I experienced this different kind of high last weekend when Christian and I attended Tommaso and Jenny's wedding in Paris which, by all accounts, was a really romantic affair.
Quick background story: Tommaso and I knew each other from way back in 2004, when I started working for Tyco in the audit team. T or Kapo (as I used to call him half-seriously) was this blue-eyed, one man United Nations because he spoke seven languages (English, Spanish, Portugese, German, French and Italian). He was also a troublemaker (in the fun meaning of the word) because him and the other troublemaker guys would make fun of everyone and everything and have a laugh after work. Their motto was work hard and play the hardest, and it was fun to watch and get caught up in it all.
Fast forward to 2011, and here he is, tying the knot in romantic Paris, and we were there to watch it. Firstly, the city itself is a marvellous backdrop for any big event, but it is tailor-made for weddings for sure. A short four hour train ride from Frankfurt and suddenly, we were in another place and time. September was when the leaves started changing colours and the wind got a little bit nippy, but everyone was in high spirits in the church. Tommaso was nervous but excited, and when Jenny walked down the aisle with her father (who was almost losing it), I could feel my own heartbeat through the silence. The priest(ess) made them man and wife, whispered loudly for them to "Go on, kiss!", and shared her wishes for the happy couple. One thing she said made me squeeze my own husband's hand in a sickly sweet gesture of love: "In all the world there is only one Jenny, and one Tommaso, and now you have each other."
At the reception (which was held, in my estimation, in a PALACE), it was good to catch up with everyone from Tyco before. While no one had changed in their personalities as they were all still wonderful, there were some great surprises and changes that we celebrated as well. For one thing, there were marriages, pregnancies, new projects and prospects for everyone. It was like the old crew had gotten an upgrade in terms of work/life balance and everyone was happier because of it. Granted, the free flowing fruit mojitos, yummy food and awesome dancefloor tunes made the scene THE scene. While it was bittersweet hugging everyone goodbye, it was still heartwarming to know that it was more of a "see you next time."
The next day Christian and I met up with Oriol, Ainhoa and their kids, Marc and Alaitz. Another background: Oriol and Ainhoa are the parents we would like to be. Not only are they fun-loving and relaxed, they also raise their children to have good morals and to respect other people. Alaitz and Marc are two of the most charming kids you will ever meet, and they interact with others so well. When I was Alaitz's age I remember being painfully shy and distant to everyone, but she is different. She has a confidence only the security of having loving parents can give - and she is creative with colours and bracelets, and she dances like there is no tomorrow. Spending the day with all of them was a reminder of how good friendships stand the test of time and distance, and the entire weekend was a reminder that love trumps anything, anytime.
Je T'aime!
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