An excellent consolation prize

(First Spring trip to Paris ~ April 08)

A dear friend from college, we'll call her "Future Supreme Court Justice" or "FSCJ" for short, has been staying with us in Leuven the past two nights. Unfortunately, BF & I have been suffering from general exhaustion due to work and whatnot so I hope she's had an okay visit. Fortunately, where Lou and I were unable to bring our A [hosting] game, Leuven stepped up to the plate and was its dazzling self. It even managed to hit one out of the park with two whole days of sun and downright reasonable temperatures. Regardless, I've most enjoyed her visit. You know those people that you can go years and years without seeing and then pick up right where you left off? Well, she's one of them. Add to that the fact that she's brilliant, genuine, thoughtful, engaging, inspiring, interesting and funny as hell and you have all the ingredients for an incredible guest.

Sadly, she has to jet off to Paris today to rendevous with her family and my life must return its focus to the mundane. However, luck of lucks, she needs a ride to her final destination and who should be able to chauffeur Ms. Future Supreme Court Justice but yours truly?? Pretty great consolation prize, no?

So. This afternoon, I'm stealing my friend, Devan, and we are going to drive FSCJ into Paris and then stay the night ourselves. Have a nice little girls-only-no-boys-allowed dinner and then spend Saturday shopping the Marais and the Les Puces des Saint-Ouen market (i.e. the biggest flea market in the world) and perhaps making a stop or two at Laduree for some macarons.

Paris in the springtime with friends? A most wonderful consolation prize indeed.

From April