All of my musings of Paris are informed by silly, trivial stereotypes: Emily in Paris.  The Devil Wears Prada.  The legends of the haute couture with which I’ll likely never be familiar. Certain wines, pastries, breads and cheeses. Pinterest photos of heaping peony markets, thin girls in cigarette pants, and bistro chairs lined up along the rue.  Of course I’d like to go to Paris, but it was never a place that I felt was in my top 3. 

Then S was called to Paris for work.  

“It’s pretty,” he described it. He puzzled me with his simplistic description. Did he mean it is stunningly exquisite, manicured, immaculate? He had to mean that.

Then I did what I do best - I overthought! I had suddenly formed a jealousy and a need to go to Paris. FOMO set in hard! What I wouldn’t give to have been able to join him!  I quickly witnessed Paris jumping up my travel wish-list. Suddenly Rome and Florence had a serious rival I was very curious about.

“What is it like?” I asked again each day, as he traipsed around the city’s most prestigious arrondissements. 

“It’s pretty,” he would say.

His lack of explanation, adjectives, or even excitement annoyed me.

Then I realized he was being so nondescript because he probably didn’t want me to be jealous.

In a way, it was really sweet that he was trying to deflect the conversation away from what could arguably be considered one of the world’s most beautiful sights: Paris in the budding springtime.

On the last day of the trip, S sent me a picture of the Sezane storefront on the 1 Rue Saint-Fiacre. He accompanied it with a 🙊 emoji. Earlier in the week I had been dropping major hints, but never in a million years thought that he would have the time to go.

My heart grew 20 sizes like the Grinch. My jealously suddenly felt so immature. He went to SEZANE, all for me. To make me feel special. To bring me a little piece of Paris. To create a special memory and make me feel part of the experience. He knew what it would mean to me.

He brought me home, packaged in all of its gorgeous Sezane splendour, a beautiful sweater that feels like it was truly crafted with the most care and love.  He paired it with a navy square scarf adorned with pretty pink fleurs. And it didn’t stop there! Macarons from none other than Laduree, and a box of chocolates that we had to stop ourselves from devouring.

When he got home, he told me all about the beauty of Paris in great detail. He told me we would go someday, phrasing his plans as “when we go…” instead of “we will go.” 🤍

My Sezane sweater is a knit of supreme quality and detail. It is an oversized fit, but I like it as their sweaters are meant to be worn alone or as a layering piece. I’ve already worn it a bunch of times - to work, for the weekend, and for Easter. It’s a cardigan with the most delicate buttons, and lacy crochet-type features. I know it will always be an heirloom-quality piece in my closet. I’m definitely a dramatic but I really do feel like this sweater means so much more than just a knit: it’s a symbol of a sweet gesture, of a promise of future adventures…the ones that are unknown, not even on the horizon, but not here just yet.

I know my travel days might be limited now, but that’s just for now. I am very grateful for this little token of love, and what it means.