It’s Just Like Paris

I am definitely one to romanticize life.

Motherhood can be anything but romantic… and yet. It’s a little like Paris. Paris is one of the most beautiful and romantic places I have ever lived. It is also stinky, exhausting, stressful, busy and all consuming at times. A little like motherhood.

When I lived there and blogged daily, I made a point of searching out the romantic. I walked endlessly, sought out vintage stores and cute cafes, talked to strangers, and made the city my own.

I am learning to do the same with motherhood. While some days are chaos, no matter how you write it, I can find magical moments.

This morning we went into town and stopped by my favorite restaurant for a drip coffee with cream. Their coffee is so good I didn’t want to hide it in a fancy latte as I usually do. I was fortunate to meet the wife of the husband and wife duo who run the restaurant and learned about where they source their coffee (Carrier, created by the roaster they knew who worked for Handsome Coffee Roasters) and how she’s managed to have three children while running what I believe is the best restaurant in town. There was an instant connection in motherhood and an appreciation of good food, a gift to my morning.

Wilder and I then walked the streets of Carmel, grateful my morning client pushed 30 minutes later because I knew nap time would be delayed after he slept in, and took in the golden October light.

A mother and her daughter stopped us to admire Wilder and offered to take our photo - something I’m learning is a real gift in motherhood since moms so often get erased in the memories by never being in photos. I started talking more about it recently, and suddenly strangers and friends keep offering to take our photo. I’m so grateful.

We wove down the streets to the Ocean and took in the waves before weaving our way back to the car to come home to work.

And while some of the day was spent changing a poopy diaper on the floor, having him squeeze my breast like a stress ball and being in desperate need of a shower (I have not stopped sweating since giving birth), the day has had it’s romance. Just like Paris.