Some trips are about destinations. Others are about experiences. And then there are those rare journeys that quietly slow you down, remind you to breathe, and gently return you to gratitude.
Our recent trip from the Rocket City of Huntsville, Alabama, to Paris, France — with a meaningful stop in London — was one of those journeys.
From December 13 through December 24, my wife, Kerensa, and I stepped out of our familiar routines and into moments that invited presence, reflection, and appreciation for life as it unfolds when you truly allow yourself to be there.
Paris: Love in Motion
Paris welcomed us the way it often does — not loudly, but confidently. Love in Paris doesn’t announce itself. It shows up in morning walks, warm café tables, shared laughter, and the steady rhythm of daily life.
We stayed with Kerensa’s sister, GP, in her Paris apartment tucked away in the Passy neighborhood. That alone shaped the tone of our trip. Rather than feeling like tourists rushing from one landmark to another, we moved through Paris like temporary locals — walking, observing, lingering.
Almost every day included a glimpse of the Eiffel Tower. Sometimes in the distance. Sometimes towering above us. Sometimes framed perfectly between buildings as we headed to Christmas markets, cafés for lunch, or Monoprix for everyday essentials. It became less of a monument and more of a companion — a quiet reminder of where we were and how fortunate we felt to be there.
One frigid day, we made our way to the top of the Eiffel Tower. The wind was sharp, the air biting, but the view was worth every layer we’d bundled ourselves in. Standing there, high above the city, there was a calm awareness that this moment — cold and all — was something to be thankful for.
Art, Presence, and “All About Love”
One of the most meaningful moments of our Paris stay came on December 16, when we were invited to a preview of ‘All About Love’, Mickalene Thomas‘s exhibition at the Grand Palais. As the first African-American artist to have a solo exhibition at that historic venue, the moment carried significance without needing explanation.
The evening felt intimate and affirming. We connected with local creatives — a writer, a musician, a painter — and shared conversations that reminded us how art transcends borders, languages, and backgrounds. There was pride in seeing Black artistry at the center of a global space like the Grand Palais. Still, there was also quiet joy in simply witnessing it — present, unforced, and unapologetically beautiful.
A few days later, we visited the Louvre. Standing before the Mona Lisa was surreal, but wandering the vast halls and taking in centuries of creativity was equally humbling. It reminded us that expression, in all its forms, is a timeless human thread.
And of course, there were the simpler pleasures: BBQ ribs and frites and a warm cup of vin chaud at the Christmas market near the Eiffel Tower, laughter echoing through crisp night air, and the comfort of shared meals after full days of walking and exploring.
London: A Touch of Royalty
Midway through our journey, we boarded a train from Paris to London. The ride itself was peaceful and scenic — a gentle transition between worlds.
In London, we stayed at the Indigo Hotel London Clerkenwell, where the staff greeted us with warmth and genuine hospitality. Rain greeted us, too, but it never dampened the experience. Something is fitting about London in the rain — reflective, historic, and quietly dignified.
We enjoyed fish and chips and a beer at Kennedy’s Restaurant on Goswell Road, just steps from the hotel. The next day brought a visit to the British Museum, where the Ancient Egypt exhibit reminded us once again of humanity’s long, layered story.
Later, at the historic Hat & Feathers pub that was connected to the hotel, I tried another round of fish and chips, this time with a strawberry and lime cider. While both were enjoyable, Kennedy’s still held the top spot.
On our final day in London, we witnessed the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace. The ceremony was impressive, orderly, and steeped in tradition — a powerful contrast to the softer, romantic rhythms of Paris. It was a reminder that history and symbolism still hold weight in shaping how nations tell their stories.
The Journey Back and the Gift of Gratitude
We returned to Paris by train, once again appreciating the calm of movement without rush. On our final night, we stayed at the Hilton Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport to ensure a smooth departure. It was a comfortable, welcoming close to a trip that had given us so much.
Walking the streets of Passy one last time, it was clear this journey wasn’t about checking boxes. It was about presence. About gratitude. About sharing moments with the people you love while being open to the world around you.
A Gentle Invitation
Travel has a way of reminding us that life doesn’t need to be hurried to be meaningful. Sometimes the greatest gift is slowing down, paying attention, and allowing yourself to be fully present wherever you are.
Whether your journey takes you across the ocean or simply deeper into your own neighborhood, I hope you’ll find moments to pause, reflect, and experience life fully — with gratitude leading the way.
Because love, royalty, and meaning aren’t confined to places.
They’re found in how we show up, together, wherever we are.