Little Belle's Mama

July 2020 brought a kind of excitement that had been missing for a while. The world had slowed down, changed in unexpected ways, and the idea of travel had become something many only dreamed of. But my husband and I decided to turn that dream into a quiet reality. We packed our bags, filled the car with snacks and music, and left our home in Germany for a road trip to Paris, France. It wasn’t just a getaway—it was a celebration. His birthday and our 13th anniversary gave us the perfect excuse to chase a bit of magic. And Paris, with all its timeless beauty, was calling our names.

Choosing to drive instead of fly added something special to our journey. The road stretched ahead like an invitation, and we happily accepted. Nine hours on the road could feel long to some, but to us, it was part of the experience. We passed through rolling landscapes, each mile carrying us closer to something unforgettable. The quiet moments between conversations, the soft hum of the tires, the shared playlists, the laughter over roadside softdrinks—it all stitched together into a kind of peaceful romance that you only find on the open road. It was already perfect before we even saw the Eiffel Tower.

Arriving in Paris always feels like stepping into a storybook. This wasn’t our first visit, but somehow, the city still took our breath away. There’s something eternal about Paris—its streets, its architecture, its air. It doesn’t matter how many times you’ve seen the same sights; they greet you like old friends and surprise you like new ones at the same time. We parked the car and slipped into the life of the city, relying on the metro to carry us through the chapters of our trip. Every station was a new beginning, a new tale waiting to be told.

Our first major stop was the Louvre, a place that never loses its magic. Even if you’ve been there before, the feeling of walking through those halls is like entering a dream. We stood once again before the Mona Lisa, surrounded by others doing the same. But in that moment, it felt like it was just us and the masterpiece, sharing a silent conversation. The Louvre is more than a museum; it’s a collection of human history, beauty, struggle, and genius. You can lose hours wandering its corridors—and we did, happily.

The Eiffel Tower, though partially hidden by scaffolding due to construction, still held its ground as the heart of the city. We couldn’t climb it this time, but it didn’t matter. There it was, towering and proud, reminding us that sometimes, beauty doesn’t need to be touched to be felt. We spent time nearby, just watching it, like you’d watch the ocean or the stars—quietly and with awe. There’s a rhythm to Paris, and if you let go, it carries you gently along.

Much of our trip was spent walking. Paris has a way of making you forget distances. One moment you’re passing a corner café, the next you’re on a bridge gazing at the Seine, and then suddenly you’re in a tucked-away square filled with music and laughter. We wandered like that for hours, letting the city guide us. We crossed bridges, listened to street musicians, peeked into art shops, and paused at charming little bistros to drink and share desserts. With every step, Paris revealed itself to us not as a destination but as a feeling.

One of the most unforgettable moments came late at night. We made our way toward the Eiffel Tower again, hoping to catch its famous sparkle. As the clock neared midnight, we found a quiet spot with a perfect view. Then, right on time, the lights began to dance. The tower shimmered, covered in golden glitters, lighting up the night like a celebration. We stood there, hand in hand, barely speaking. There are few moments in life that feel like they’re made of magic, and that was one of them. It wasn’t just about Paris—it was about us, our journey, our love, and the joy of being alive in that exact moment.

Of course, no trip to Paris would be complete without a little flirtation with fashion. We wandered through the city’s luxury shopping districts, admiring the elegance behind the glass windows. The boutiques, with their polished displays and perfect lighting, made it easy to imagine another life—one with designer bags and shoes that cost more than our entire trip. We didn’t buy anything extravagant, but we didn’t need to. The joy was in the experience: imagining, giggling, pretending. It reminded us that dreams don’t have to come with a price tag. Sometimes, they’re just another beautiful walk down a Paris street.

What made the trip truly special, though, wasn’t just what we saw. It was how we felt. Every little detail added up—the crepes from a street vendor, the lazy afternoon in a park, the way the city looked under a soft drizzle, the early morning light slipping through hotel curtains. It was the way we found pieces of ourselves in a place that had seen millions before us and would see millions after. Paris didn’t belong to us, but for those few days, it felt like it did.

As our time in the city came to a close, we took one last slow drive around its glowing streets. The skyline, scattered with lights, whispered a gentle goodbye. We knew we’d be back. There was no question about it. Some cities are meant to be visited. Paris is meant to be returned to. It leaves a mark, a kind of gentle tattoo on the heart that stays long after you’ve gone. The road back to Germany wasn’t sad, though. It was filled with the quiet satisfaction of a beautiful chapter well written.

Now, whenever we think about that summer, we don’t just think of Paris as a place. We think of it as a feeling. The feeling of laughter echoing down an old street. The feeling of standing before a masterpiece and remembering why we love art. The feeling of kissing under the sparkle of the Eiffel Tower. The feeling of being together, truly present, away from the routine of daily life. That’s what Paris gave us—not just memories, but moments that became part of who we are.

Years may pass, and the world may change, but some trips live forever in the heart. July 2020 was one of those for us. Paris was beautiful, yes. But more than that, it was meaningful. A road trip turned into a love letter. A celebration turned into a story. And every time we look back, we smile, because we know that in a city built on light and love, we found both—again.