Click Here for part I and Click Here for part II of My Birthday in Paris mini series.
Once we have checked in to our rustic hotel room, and are prepared to freshen up after our travel, Beni asks if I would like one of my Birthday presents. I was surprised that there were more than one, and one was more than expected as I considered the trip itself the best gift a girl can receive. I eagerly accept my gift and open a small bag that I know instantly is coming from the crystal shop in the town we live in. I have been in to crystals and stones and their healing properties for a couple years now. They help me stay grounded in my spiritual practice as well as my day to day life. We stumbled upon this store together one day as we were walking through the historical part of town. Beni has been very supportive of my beliefs since he himself has had his own experiences. Growing up his mother always told him to "Send his wishes to the Universe" and after his crippling back pain which prevented him from fulfilling his life long dreams in the Swiss military, he had really disbelieved this theory, until he met me. His mother and I are a lot alike, which brings our relationship and new Swiss family even closer. I open the bag to find a precious heart shaped rose quartz crystal. Rose quartz is for the heart. It is for unconditional love of oneself and others, and speaks directly to the heart chakra. This delicate stone has a hole drilled through to be worn as jewelry which I will wrap myself a necklace, but wore it on it's temporary string for my birthday. It truly is the perfect stone for the City of Love.
Now that I am complete with my precious love stone, we head to the city with every intention of drinking champagne. Beni pulls out the Paris map and navigates us in the direction towards where he is sure we will find a nice spot. He has been to Paris a couple times before, living in Switzerland makes this travel convenient. I become proud of his navigation abilities during this trip, he likes to take the lead and he is quite good at it, I just relax and follow him. As we arrive closer to our destination of the Seine River, something catches my eye. A grand building towers over us, delicately detailed yet strongly structured is the Notre Dame. I am excited to see the first cultural masterpiece. We sit down in front of this giant, tired from our long walk here. It finally feels real that I am here in Paris, this building is undeniable proof that I am in this famous place, on my birthday. We scout the nearby area for a place to have our celebratory bottle, and find our target right across the street. A conveniently named little cafe sits right on the corner with direct view of the building that inspired it's name, the Notre Dame.
We have a seat on the side walk, two person tables line the outside of building so people can sit side by side enjoying the view of the city. A waiter comes to greet us and I get to hear my handsome fellow order us a fine bottle in French. I am in awe every time I hear him speak a different language, I envy his ability as I myself am just starting to learn German. The Spanish I took in high school isn't quite as romantic as the French or Italian this man speaks. As the waiter delivers our selection, he delicately opens the cork so it lets off a gentle sigh, and pours us each a glass. Accompanying our bubbles is a small plate of french cookies and candies, how sweet. Beni and I toast to my birthday, to us, to everything we have been through, and what's yet to come. We sit for good while, sipping French champagne, sharing stories, watching tourists walk up and down the streets, all with the backdrop of Notre Dame and the Seine River, Happy Birthday to me.
It is still very warm and sunny as we finish our little cafe celebration. We would like to find something to eat and make our way back to the Place de Republic, the public square that neighbors our hotel. We choose a restaurant named Indiana, an American restaurant. Yes I know I am in Paris and I should have probably tried French cuisine, but I've also been abroad for over a month and I have a craving for my roots. We enjoy some comfort food for dinner and make our way back to the hotel.
We are laughing and having a great evening as we arrive to our little Paris hotel room. We fall on the the bed next to each other, so full of energy and excitement from our wonderful first day. Beni looks at me with a more serious face and asks if I would like my second gift, I get the butterflies of anticipation and eagerly say yes, nearly jumping up and down like a child. This is the first time in my life someone has planned such a day for me, or taken the time to make sure every minute of my birthday is special. I stay seated on the bed as he goes to the safe and removes a small ribbon tied box for me. I am absolutely stunned that he is giving me a what looks like a ring box, wrapped in a baby blue paper with white polka dots. I imagined my second gift being another stone, maybe a large amethyst which wouldn't come in a box like this.
Patiently I try to remove the bow and the wrapping even though I could easily tear it all in one try. I am nervous because I know it is jewelry, I feel shy and my cheeks are warm. My chest is tight and my hands are shaky a bit. I get the paper off and when I see the box I know immediately that it is from the same crystal shop as my necklace. Excitement really rushes through me because I have no idea what could possibly come from there in such a nicely wrapped package. I open the small black box and my eyes jump widely open as I see the single stone ring gently cradled in a soft black foam. I look to Beni as he is eagerly sitting next to me on the bed, he as excited as I. He looks to me, and he is a bit nervous, asks "Would you like to be married to me?" At least he has every intention of asking me the full question but before he is finished, I throw my arms around him and shout "Yes!" He puts the ring on my finger and we fall on our backs again laughing and really taking in the moment.
We had talked about marriage before. We knew if we wanted to be together it is something that we have to consider. Us being together forever is something that we have talked about since very early on in the relationship as we believe we have been together in many life times before. I some what expected him to propose in Paris, but for him to propose with a crystal, and not just any crystal but a Swiss mountain crystal is really special for me. I do not share the same attachment to diamonds as many others. I do not value a stone on it's price or popularity. I value a stone on it's healing abilities, it's origins, and the energy I feel from it. How special to have a stone from the very mountains that cuddle us in the valley we call home in Switzerland. What could be more meaningful than a crystal formed in the mountains where my future husband is from? This particular crystal is specifically for three zodiac signs, one of them being mine, the Gemini. Just like the rose quartz, the mountain crystal is for the heart, and is also an energy stone.
It is the eve before this month's full moon. This full moon is about travel, adventure, and relationships. Perfectly aligned as I fall asleep that night very full filled and happy with where my life has taken me. When I was dreaming of my future the previous months, I never expected all of this for myself. I know that I am truly blessed and I am grateful for all that is in my life. We wake up the next day early, we have only been in this city one day, there is much more to see and to explore....
If you would like to read the full story on how Beni and I met click HERE
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