I am still basking in the afterglow of one of the best weekends I can remember having with my girl. Lily arrived Thursday evening late and we had three wonderful days together. On Friday we hung around St. Denis in the morning and visited Mayenne in the afternoon. I brought Lily to one of my favorite boutiques and bought her part of her birthday present. She chose an adorable blouse that had embroidered detail and reminded us both of something I would have chosen for her when she was tiny.

On Friday night we went to Stella’s for a French apero (Cocktail party). Stella’s house was aglow in warm lights and a fireplace with a roaring fire. She had prepared a. beautiful spread that included tapenades, cheeses, crackers and sausage rolls. We got to meet a few new friends and see Andrew again. Lily was so articulate and grown up at this party. I sat there listening to her talk and realized that she had changed in ways I hadn’t completely understood before. She is every bit a woman with strong opinions, her own experiences and a kind heart. I am so proud of her.

After a cocktail and lovely visit we rushed to Bubba’s for our reservation as Lily had requested.a chicken kebab. We enjoyed a delicious meal and then returned home to cozy up in our flannel jammies and watch Downton Abbey. Lily had seen a few bits of it prior but we started in earnest, and I’m happy to say she is now properly hooked.

Saturday we got up, drove to Laval and traded out rental cars. From there, we drove to Rennes and spent the rest of the day there. We ate lunch at a beautiful Indian restaurant, sat and people watched at two different cafés, wandered in and out of shops, and eventually made our way to an Irish bar where my friend’s daughter works. We visited with her for a while and she and Lily exchanged information. By this point, Lily was so enchanted by the city that she began considering moving to Rennes as a possibility after graduation.

We drove home, made tomato and brie baguettes, and then walked over to the bar. I wanted to her show her off, and we settled in and visited with a couple of locals (they recognized me as the woman with the petite chien). Lily was invited to try Laurent’s home brewed Calvados and we sat and laughed together until late in the evening.

On Sunday we woke, and went to the gym together. It was fun to share this new place with Lily. We worked out and then we raced home. I planned a roast dinner, belated-birthday celebration for Lily and the boys were due to join us. Lily had to write an essay for school, so while she was doing that I was making a chocolate peanut butter pie, prepping the roast chicken, building fires, and setting the table.

We feasted on a Thanksgiving-like meal and we had such a nice time visiting and laughing with Dave and Matt. It all tasted so good that we decided to stay at the table and continue our conversation until we re-established our appetites so we could have seconds. After. dinner, Lily put away all the food and we moved int the living room to have our dessert. It was such a wonderful evening.

And then quite suddenly it was Monday, and we had to head back to Le Mans so Lily could journey home. Neither of us was ready to say goodbbye, but we were brave and we laughed and hugged as long as she would let me before she got on her train. I noticed on the way back home bits of blue sky that occasionally peaked out from behind the clouds. The weather didn’t completely clear but Lily somehow reminded me that the blue sky and sun were always there even if covered by fog or clouds.