Stories Collected While Living in France

French la Vie

The Way We Were

Yann and corey bu andrea

 

The way we were. Young. Well sort of. Young as in younger than today.

Back in 1986 French Husband travelled around the USA in an old beat up car. Beat up as the door on the right side did not open. But that didn't worry me, even though I barely knew the guy who spoke little English. I got in on his side.

Yann was 25 I was 29. We were married in California. I was his "souvenir" from his holiday abroad.

I moved to France. Paris was beautiful. I was in love. But it wasn't as easy as that. The adjustment was nearly unbearable: The zero language skills, the cultural differences, the lack of money in the land of plenty, my family living on the other side of the world, Yann working all day long…it was cold, grey and international phone calls were five dollars a minute. 

We lived in a studio near Les Halles, a street over from the Red Light District.

———————–

Yesterday, our friend Andrea from California sent me the above photo. Since Yann and I have a photo or two of ourselves during that time, a flood of memories have filled my mind. 

Thank you Andrea. 

Comments

36 responses to “The Way We Were”

  1. Linda R.

    love the photo, love the remembrance.

    Reply
  2. Toni

    That is lovely!

    Reply
  3. Susan young

    Priceless, truly!

    Reply
  4. susanc

    Wonderful photo and memories!

    Reply
  5. Diane Belforte Lewis

    Adorable picture of you both Corey!

    Reply
  6. martina

    Adorable! The way Yann has his left hand around you seems so protective. Were you expecting Chelsea at that time?

    Reply
  7. Jody

    I love the photo and the memories of your early days in France.

    Reply
  8. Diogenes

    what a great picture Corey. With that short hair you kinda look like Princess Di. Must have been the late 80s?

    Reply
  9. Judy

    Great picture of young Corey and French Husband!

    Reply
  10. Becky F

    Beautiful.

    Reply
  11. Linda

    What a cute couple you were and still are. Your son looks so much like his dad. And your daughter is a combination of both of you, I think anyway.
    Corey I admire your moxie!! You were able to stay the course and conquer and learn so much in a foreign land. Language, customs and so much more. All while leaving the love and comfort of your family behind. You were lucky to have such a loving and devoted husband and boy was he ever lucky to have you by his side. You are the salt of the earth! It comes through so many times in your writing. You have so much to be proud of! You’re an amazing woman! I look forward to reading your blog every day! It is so interesting and so inspiring. I think I’ve learned a lot about France through you! Your family and friends are so lucky to have you!

    Reply
  12. Marilyn

    What a perfect photo of the two of you.
    I definitely tells us a story of you.
    Just lovely!

    Reply
  13. Debra

    What a beautiful picture, Corey! Love it.

    Reply
  14. Rhonda

    Corey, your stories, your life, lives in our hearts. You’ve shared your life with us and it has become a part of us all.
    That picture is amazing! Young love, is there anything better? Well, besides growing old together, that is another beautiful part of it.

    Reply
  15. Ann

    Love the big American smile…you must have shocked all of France smiling so big. Sweet photo.

    Reply
  16. Julie Mautner

    Love this. Congrats on making it work all these years. Wishing you continued happiness!

    Reply
  17. 24/7 in France

    Lovely photo of misty, water-colored memories!

    Reply
  18. kim

    Boy, I can relate. I married and moved to the UK ten years ago and I’m soooo glad there wasn’t the language barrier. I love France so much but I’m horrible with languages and I find French very hard indeed. But leaving one’s friends and family behind to start life in a new country is really hard and it probably took me five years — yes, five — to finally feel at home here.

    Reply
  19. XiijnTEXAS FRANCOPHILE

    Love this pic….brave girl…..look where love has taken you!!!!

    Reply
  20. dede

    Sacha looks so much like his young(er) dad.
    xox, d

    Reply
  21. Linda P.

    It’s so nice to be gifted with a photo that brings back such wonderful memories. Lovely photo!

    Reply
  22. Kiki

    sweet! (wouldn’t have recognised either of you but now that I know, it rings a bell…) – Yes, we change, times are changing us but you both held on to that special something and made your lives work – wonderful!
    I too am not longer the woman I was all those years ago; and I am glad – we move forward, mature, we get less upset about stuff but cry more and better for other, we love more and are more generous – aaah, it’s a good life after all!

    Reply
  23. Lyn

    What a lovely joyful photo. Thank you so much for sharing your beautiful, creative life. Lyn

    Reply
  24. Tracy A.

    My nephew’s wife arrived in Vermont from China night before last. The first time out of her native country and away from her friends and family. This will be an adjustment to be sure, but with the support of my sister and our extended family, we hope to make the transition for Changting as easy as possible. It makes me think of my grandmother coming from Norway all those decades ago.

    Reply
  25. jeanie

    What a wonderful photo — and it just goes to show that when you know it’s right, it really IS right! I love the idea that you were the souvenir from abroad!

    Reply
  26. La Contessa

    YOUR STORY Is movie worthy!!!!!!!!!!
    Do we have any PRODUCERS or HOLLYWOOD writers out there reading???
    This would be better then Under the Tuscan Sun………….
    OMG…….your SON it just came to me!Isn’t he in film school now???
    XOXOX

    Reply
  27. Christine LeFever

    Well I recognized both of you right away, but then, I do have a photographic memory for faces. You were a doll and so was he and you both still are!

    Reply
  28. Peggy Braswell

    what a great picture of the two of you + how kind of Andrea to send it to you + grand post. xxpeggybraswelldesign.com

    Reply
  29. KAMFreeman

    When I see photos of you and Yann today I see alive today that wonderful, tender and adoring energy that is in this beautiful photo of past times. Thank you for sharing this magnificent look back.

    Reply
  30. Kathie B

    As cute as you two sure were then, you’re both even better looking now!

    Reply
  31. Jennifer Phillipps

    You both look joyfully happy and it is a great image. I would say it should be printed and framed and popped up somewhere to remind you of your life together from way back then to all that you are both doing now. Always enjoy reading your blog every day! Jennifer in New Zealand

    Reply
  32. carol

    Love this photo! You both were beautiful then and you are beautiful now.

    Reply
  33. Camy

    Corey,
    What a jewel of a photo…you and Yann were meant to be! Thank you so much for sharing.

    Reply
  34. christine in sacramento

    The picture looks like it came out of a movie.

    Reply
  35. rockpaperscissors

    Early love always innocent and pure. Your story has touched my soul. Sending love to the both of you.

    Reply
  36. Brenda, Walker, LA

    So cute, as you both are now! Write the book!

    Reply

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