Bonjour...from France to Florida!

Liz and Healther invade France.

I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to go to Paris a couple weeks ago with my best friend, Liz.  Liz and I met our freshmen year of college and were BFF at first sight.  She had on a red North Face jacket and was from Maine, I knew we would be friends forever.  Fast forward 14 years, we now work together and because she is the number 1 sales person in the WORLD! (OK, in the country, but I think world) she was awarded a trip to Paris with all the other Hologic winners and lucky me, I was her date (I also recommended her for the job 2 years ago because I knew she would kick butt). 

So the two "pearl girls" headed to France.  We polished off a bottle of wine before the plane even left and had to cut the security line and run to the gate because we almost missed out flight, but were on our way to find some red berets and some more wine of course! 

Paris was beautiful and everything I expected, lots of wine, cheese, bread, beautiful old buildings, and so many different people to watch, oh and did I mention wine?  We went on a bike tour one day with a guide named "Alec" (a wink for sure!) and I saw a couple rainbows that were sure signs he was there with me.  Alec spent a little time in Paris as a student, he didn't tell me much about it but I do know the exchange student that was sent to live with his family stole all his jeans...he was pretty pissed about that.

I know he was probably up there laughing at Liz and I.  Needless to say we are not the most prepared or savvy travelers.  When someone asked if we had done any research on Paris we replied, well kind of, we did watch Ratioullie before we came.  And Liz's mom told us we needed to see the Mousee' de' Orsey.  As we were walking along the river one day trying to find somewhere to go, I said, maybe we should go see that "Morsey Dorsey place" so from there on Liz and I talked in funny Boston accents really mis-pronouncing all things French and we really, really cracked ourselves up.  We pretty much laughed for 6 days straight, at each other...there is nothing quite like a best friend. 

Neither of us did much research on what to do or see but we were able to tag along with some colleagues and see the important stuff.  One morning we woke up and I asked Liz if we should go to the Louvre to see the Mona Lisa.  Liz's response, "just think about it...you and me in a crowded moosey (how we liked to pronounce mousem in French) waiting in line to see a painting."  I thought about it for a moment and and we both agreed lunch and shopping sounded much more appealing.  A bottle of wine, David Yurman ring and a Louie Vuiton later...yeah maybe the moosey wasn't such a bad idea.

All in all it was a fun trip, but the best part was being with my best friend. 

The next weekend Chase and I hopped on another place and headed to Florida to see my parents.  Chase is obsessed with planes, he loves spotting them and yelling "Pane!  Up in da sky!"  so cute!  As I was getting our stroller checked in, he ran behind the counter.  I could hear in talking to someone, sure enough I peeked around the corner and he was standing there with his arms folded talking to a couple of old men, about planes.  "woooow....coooool....panes...."  He was so good on the flight both ways, although I think 3 hours is our limit at this age. 

All I wanted to do was beach it, since in Paris it was freezing, and then I came home for a week and it was even freezing-er.  I needed sun STAT.  So that's what we did and it was wonderful!  Nothing like a little vitamin D to make you feel good.  My brother in law thinks that Jill and my Mom and I are "solar powered", if we don't see the sun for a few days we just kind of stop working, and there couldn't be anything more true.  I need the sun like I need water. 

I am very lucky to have the opportunity to travel like I do.  I would not be able to do it if I didn't have Alec's mom, who Chase lovingly refers to her as "Mimi".  Mimi comes down whenever we need her (or even if we don't but she needs a "Chasie Fix".  It is so important to me to keep Alec's family very close, because that's how things were before and that's how I know he would want them to be.  Chase is such a lucky little guy, he has his Mimi, his Auntie Yaya, who he adores and Auntie Ti Ti, (Tam) who he does not see much but they have a special bond, just like she and Alec had.  I really don't know what I would do without them, they have been so helpful and there me over the last year and a half, and would do anything for their beloved son/brother, which in turn means taking care of his baby boy and his wife...and I mean anything, sometimes I will say something, like maybe someday I will get Chase this, or maybe someday I will do that, and sure enough next time I see Mimi, she's got this or that with her, ready to spoil her little man. 

I go to bed with a grateful heart, my life, certainly hasn't turned out the way I had expected, but I still feel like the luckiest girl alive. 

Love and Prayers,

Heather


I lit a candle for Alec...and prayed a lot. 



On our bike tour with Alec.



We finally found our red berets!





So romantic...to be with your best friend...in Paris...after dark.





Some work friends, who have turned into really great friends.



All we did was eat!  I gained 6 lbs! 



Me and my Pearl Girl.





Now its time for the beach!





Every morning we would wake up early, go running, come home and pack for a day at the beach.





Chase is just like Momma...a real beach bum.





And chocholic.



My cool cuz Josh! 



Boston in my heart...

This is just so unbelievable to me. I guess because it literally hit home, Boston, the marathon, my family who live there, I work there, my friend Maria who ran this year for Alec...it is all just surreal.

Luckily, as far as I know, everyone is OK. Jill and Brian are home safe in Southie, Tina was home with the girls and Bob is working in Boston but so far we think he is alright, just busy and thankfully, Maria and her family are all fine too.

It is so frightening, and really, this does terrorize the nation. The marathon is such an incredibly inspiring event. So many trained for months, raised thousands of dollars for charity's and crossing the finish line is supposed to be so special, not horrifying. It makes me mad, to know that this ruined not only thousands of runners special day, but thousands of lives. I don't know why, but I have always been very afraid of bombs and terror attacks. I use to have many nightmares after 9/11, and continued to for years after. Alec would sometimes shake me awake, telling me it was just a bad dream. It is simply terrifying, to be in a place with so much joy and happiness, to be so secure and safe and in an instant it all be taken away by some monster. 3 years ago my sisters and I crossed that finish line and looked beyond the crowd for our family and friends who cheered us on from the very same spot that was blown up, I can not even imagine the horror that went through the minds of the runners and spectators as the bombs went off and not knowing if their loved ones were OK or not. It would be my worst nightmare. To finish that race was such an accomplishment, a feeling you just can't explain. It angers me that so many were denied that feeling and instead were fearing for their lives.

The first responders have my utmost respect and gratitude, they are heroes and remarkable people, and I am proud to say that my 2 brothers in laws are Boston firefighters whom I know would sacrifice their own lives to save someone else's. I know this because they have both been recognized and rewarded for their efforts in saving a life, putting their own lives in danger. Pretty awesome.

My prayers go out to all those affected by today's attack, and I thank Maria again for running for Alec and pray that all will be OK. God is always with us.

Love and Prayers Boston,

Heather