An Unromantic in Paris

By McKenna Darby On Feb 12 2012, 2:15 pm in Louvre, McKenna Darby, Paris, romance

In honor of Valentine’s Day, a romantic true story . . . 

Everything they say about the romance of Paris is true. The city’s magic even works on the decidedly unromantic, including my husband.

Now, John is one of the best husbands a woman could ever hope to have. He’s intelligent, honest, ethical, fiercely protective, funny, sweet – my best friend for more than thirty years and counting. But romantic? Not so much. He doesn’t dance; can’t make him. The one time I received flowers with his name on the card I discovered later that his mother sent them. If he ever compliments me on what I’m wearing I might have a heart attack. As it hasn’t happened in all these years, though, I’m probably safe.

But even John, it seems, is not immune to the romance of Paris.

Especially at night, when the monuments glow, Paris is utterly seductive. On our last visit, despite the early spring chill, we fell into taking long strolls after dinner. Because it’s so beautiful and only a block from the hotel where we stayed, those strolls always led to the Louvre. And each night, in the acoustically perfect outdoor passageways that cut through the palace, we would encounter one of two musicians: a fiercely intense and gifted cellist, or a playful but equally talented classical saxophonist.

On our last walk through the Louvre the saxophonist was in residence. We stopped to listen for a while – the only pedestrians anywhere in sight due to the cold – and he seemed to revel in having an audience. Because we’d enjoyed his performances all week, John dropped a handful of Euros into the musician’s case and we strolled away.

That’s when the magic happened. The saxophonist interrupted the classical piece he was performing – stopped in the middle of a complex run, no less – and began to play La Vie en Rose, the beautiful ballad that is virtually the city’s theme song.

Never in all the times we’d seen people drop money into his case had he changed his tune, let alone play a pop song. It stopped us in our tracks. We stared at each other, dumbfounded.

And then the magic became a miracle. John wrapped his arms around me and, humming the tune into my hair, began to sway. We were dancing. In the Louvre. To our own private performance of La Vie en Rose.

In that moment I thanked my lucky stars for my unromantic husband. If he did this sort of thing all the time it wouldn’t have been special. It wouldn’t have been magic. He’d waited thirty years for this moment, and when it came he made it perfect. And isn’t that the essence of true romance?

Exciting News: The incomparable Margie Lawson, writing teacher extraordinaire, has agreed to be our guest blogger next month! Check back March 12 and post your question for Margie!

14 Responses to “An Unromantic in Paris”

1. Kirsten Arnold says:

   February 12, 2012 at 3:04 pm

   What a fabulous story, McKenna, so sweet!
2. Angelyn says:

   February 12, 2012 at 5:33 pm

   Oh–that gave me the sweet chills!
3. Abigail says:

   February 12, 2012 at 5:39 pm

   How sweetly romantic!
4. Ella Quinn says:

   February 12, 2012 at 6:11 pm

   How beautiful. I teared up reading it. Paris is magical.
5. Emma says:

   February 12, 2012 at 6:18 pm

   How beautiful!
6. Denise Pattison says:

   February 12, 2012 at 7:00 pm

   You have a keeper there, that’s for sure. You’ve got a wonderful memory of a very special time.
7. Carla says:

   February 12, 2012 at 10:36 pm

   So sweet. Sigh.
8. McKenna Darby says:

   February 12, 2012 at 11:19 pm

   Thanks, everyone. Still gives me goosies, and it has been quite a while now. Glad you enjoyed the tale (though I’m sorry about the tears, Ella!).
9. Sharon Marie says:

   February 13, 2012 at 1:58 am

   Aw,it’s never too late for romance! What a wonderful memory. Thanks for sharing and Happy Valentine’s Day!
10. Ally Broadfield says:

    February 13, 2012 at 2:23 am

    What a fabulous, romantic story. Thanks so much for sharing it with us. Hmm…guess this means I’ll have to wait another decade or two before seeing a romantic gesture from my hubby.
11. Scarlet says:

    February 13, 2012 at 2:35 am

    You DH sounds a lot like mine. He takes care of my car, moves things around the house, calls to make sure I’m up in the mornings, but isn’t a romantic. Those things he does for me racks up points for him in the romantic category. Your story was beautiful. How very special to have your first dance in Paris!
12. McKenna Darby says:

    February 13, 2012 at 3:06 am

    I hope you don’t have to wait that long, Ally. The good news is that there’s hope for him!

    And isn’t it true, Scarlet? He may have made me wait a long time, but he sure knows how to pick a setting.
13. Grace Kone says:

    February 13, 2012 at 5:10 am

    It’s midnight and I almost didn’t read the whole story. I’m so glad I did. Although I’ve never seen the Louvre without a crowd, I could still picture the scene. Magnifique! Thanks for sharing.
14. McKenna Darby says:

    February 13, 2012 at 5:56 pm

    Hi Grace. Glad you hung in there and that it was worth it. This is one of those crystalline moments that will live in my memory in minute detail until the day I die.