I always believed that the love stories we saw in movies only existed there. The fairytales were all wrong, and there was no such thing as happily ever after. Of course, I couldn’t have been more wrong. I found love in the most unexpected place that made me believe maybe there is a happily ever after.
My company has locations worldwide, and one fine day my boss told me I have to go to the Paris location to train some employees. I was ecstatic because I had never been there, and it was always on my bucket list. So, I said yes, and in a week, I was off to the romance capital of the world.
Adjusting was difficult at first, but I fell in love with the city. There were cute little quaint cafes on every street and the fantastic smell of pastries emanating from them. Naturally, with such excellent baking around me, I ended up having a croissant for breakfast every day.
One day, I was having my breakfast and minding my business when a stranger asked me if he could sit with me. I said, yes. He didn’t seem French to me, so I asked him where he is from, and he told me he had come from Croatia to look for more opportunities. His name was David.
David was just as lost as me, and this shared feeling of being in a foreign place brought us closer. We talked for hours on end, and after having a hearty breakfast, we decided to explore the city. After all, it was my day off.
Whenever Christmas is approaching near, Paris becomes an even more beautiful place, especially at night. There are lights and decorationseverywhere, and there is just something in the air that makes you fall in love with the place in no time. That is what happened to us.
I don’t know if it was the time or the city, but we instantly fell in love. The first day we roamed the city, took a walk near the river, had the most amazing dinner and wine at a cute café near the river, and watched the sun go down together.
It was the most beautiful sunset I had ever experienced. The sky had hues of pinks, blues, orange, and many other colors that made it look like a painting. The sky was God’s canvas that day, and both me and David were in awe.
That moment was the highlight of our day. As the sun went down, he held my hand and told me he would love to watch all his sunsets with me while we were in Paris. After that moment, we decided to explore the city even further at night.
The cobblestone streets, the Christmas lights everywhere, the chilly weather, the beautiful architecture, and the fantastic pastry smells enhanced our night. We went from bakery to bakery, trying out the most delicious pastries and feeding each other.
Both our emotions were at an all-time high. I felt reborn. That is because I didn’t click with anyone this early. It was a completely new experience for me, but I loved it, and somehow while we were trying out all the delicious, I thought for a moment that I could love this man more than anything.
I don’t know what it was, but the feeling took over me surprisingly. Looking into David’s eyes made me feel that he somehow felt the same way too. He wanted to love me and wanted to be loved in return as well.
That night was magical, and we promised to see each other the next day. He dropped me to my door like a gentleman and kissed me goodnight. I slept like a baby that night. Work anxiety had taken over me in Paris, but that was the most peaceful night I experienced.
The next day I met David again, and he said he had an unforgettable night planned for me. I was surprised but also excited to see what we were going to do. First, he took me to an ice skating rink. He said he loved to do this as a kid, and he wanted to relive those moments.
So we ice skated like five-year-olds, and it was the most magical feeling ever. Both our inner child had come alive. Once we were done, he said there is more. He took me to one of the most beautiful Christmas markets in Paris. The lights in the market were beautiful, and there was a fantastic aroma of hot cocoa everywhere.
The doors, windows, and rooftops were decorated with lights, and the sight was breathtaking. We strolled through the market, enjoyed a cup of hot cocoa, and shopped for some beautiful things together. I felt closer than ever to David, and both of us wouldn’t let go of each other’s hands.
Of course, the night didn’t stop there. Our last stop was the biggest surprise David had in mind. The day before, I had told him how fairytales were absurd, and there was never going to be a man coming in a carriage to take the girl away and love her forever. Well, David took this literally and planned a horse carriage ride for me all through the Champs Elysees. The lights there are beautiful, and David wanted us to have the best view.
So, we sat in the carriage and rode through the beautiful Champs Elysees, soaking in the Christmas lights. I felt as if I was in a movie, and I couldn’t stop smiling. We shared a bottle of champagne during the ride, and I never wanted the moment to end.
I had never believed in a soul mate, but on that fine Christmas day, I thought maybe I had found mine. I knew I couldn’t go back to my city after this. I decided to ask my boss if I could permanently shift to the Paris office and he said yes. Ever since then, I have been with David, and every day and has been a magical one. After all, Paris is the city of love.
Alona Koenig. Internationally published fine art film wedding photographer in Cairo, Egypt. Vintage charm. Timeless elegance. French ‘joie de vivre’.
