A Love Letter

There is no shortage of gorgeous European men around this city, but even so, I have found the city of love can be pretty lonely. (I know its the city of lights but that just doesn't sound as good, leave me alone). And while I'm sure my mother will be pleased to hear that my time has not been spent with the beautiful boys of this city, it's because I've had my mind on some other beautiful people. I'm living in Paris, France but my heart is stretched across the ocean and tied between Mason and Boston.

So while I am having the time of my life, there's some things missing, or I guess, someones. I see Jake Mouchawar in the street ads for the new TV show "Mouch," and I imagine how iconic he would look in a beret. I feel Gia's spirit in every long day that never feels long enough, in every moment that makes my heart rush like I am the protagonist in my favorite novel. I hear Angela in the bits of Italian that mingle with French in outdoor cafes and feel her pride whenever I boil water successfully. Every flower that lines the picturesque avenues winks at me with Samantha's joy, while every long haired skater boy that whizzes past me with his tongue out startles me in the most Ethan way. Alec would fit right in with all the men who out-dress the women yet are still attracted to women, and Izzy would glow in the Parisian sunlight like the star that she is. Whenever I step into a metro car where people put away their phones and crack open a novel, I swear the boy with the blonde hair and his eyes squinting in concentration at his book is Carter. I wish every flash of red hair that I saw was Preslee, but I know that she is with me every morning when I draw tarot for the day. I look at the amazing architecture and imagine how Maddie would implode with joy over the insane history of every street corner. The strangers that I fall in love with on the street all look like Jake Albalate and the neon lights at the club morph every face into Marc's sideways smirk.

The gaggle of girls with American accents drooling over the pearl earrings in the shop window all sound like Emily. I catch Jordan's smile in the twinkle of each light that adorns the Eiffel tower and feel her joy in my heart when I gush over one of the many dogs that strut down Paris' streets. My heart leaps when I see French ads for Spider Man: Far From Home and I can almost feel Sujaya grab my arm in excitement. Corinne's endless love shines out whenever a stranger smiles at me or holds a door open in a city that is notorious for being rude.

I see my mom every time I look in the mirror, and I so excited to experience my favorite city with my favorite person. I walked home one night and overheard a dad explaining a math problem to his two young daughters, who looked like they wanted to be doing anything else, and couldn't help but think of my own dad, working every day to make us smarter, more confident, and more well rounded women. Speaking of math problems, I think of Molly every time I walk past the cat cafe down the street. Or every time I do something that she would shake her head at... which is a lot.

This last month has been incredible. I have made so many amazing friends and learned so much. But even in all the amazing times, I still think about all those who aren't here. But I know that I will see them so soon, and I guess I'll just have to bring them all back!