This weekend was the first in many months that we have been home in Cincinnati. I wasn't looking forward to being back for the first time on a weekend until we got the news that our dear friends, Erich and Carolyn, were coming to visit us. Erich and Carolyn are our close friends from Boston and have come to visit us several times from the East Coast since we have lived here. (they actually really like Cincinnati which is pretty cool coming from Bostonians).
They won't be living in New England for long because they are headed to PARIS for three years for Erich's job. What an incredible journey they are about to embark on and I am so thrilled we have them as friends to come along and learn all about France through their experience. (and we hope to visit there too-they did get a two bedroom place for a reason..)
I remember telling Mom in March or so about our friends moving to Paris and how I wanted to go visit them. I distinctly remember her saying, "oh I would love to go to Paris, wouldn't that be cool if I came too?" I laughed thinking oh yeah, you can sleep on the couch and we'll take over their apartment....that will really work. Now looking back, I wish more then anything you could come along on a trip to Europe. That was your plan post retirement....travel. Not abroad though...Dad hated to fly. You can get him within the US if you really begged but International would have been a chore. Ha- could you see Dad in Paris?? No way!
We had a wonderful weekend. They're the type of people you can be yourself around and it's honestly so much fun and relaxing having them around. You don't have to entertain them (which I enjoy doing anyway), they just enjoy being with us. And we have so much in common especially the love for nice restaurants and a good meal. We ended up at the oldest Jeff Ruby (a classic in Cincinnati) steakhouse on Saturday. Reservations for 6 (our friend Todd and his girlfriend Sarah joined us who is also very good friends with Erich and Carolyn, he actually went to College with Erich in Boston--now you know the connection). The food and Wine was fabulous and the evening ended by walking to another restaurant near our house called "Red". It's a little trendy spot for after dinner drinks and one of the yummiest desserts, Banana Fosters.
Carolyn and I walked and got coffee this morning and had lunch at the little outdoor cafe at the end of the street. You don't have to say everything to her on how you're feeling. She knows. She knows I am sad about you both and she is a wonderful friend and she says such nice comforting words without even realizing it. We talked about Mom and some photos she was in and she commented later how pretty you were. I love hearing that because you were....you were really SO pretty.
Everyday I am reminded how lucky I was to have parents like you. And everyday I am reminded of why I have become the person I am today....it's because of you. It's because of you how strongly I value friendships, like the friendship we have with Erich and Carolyn.
"Au Revoir" my friends. See you soon.
Love,
Melissa
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