Put a Cork in it Iceland

Note from Brandon's facebook wall on the occasion of his parents being stranded and in travel limbo land.

Thursday (April 15) - Ken told me to check the internet for some news - he had just heard that a volcano in Iceland was erupting and causing some travel related problems. Friday morning our flight was still scheduled and we started our journey not knowing what was in store for us. At the airport we were told that the flight from Seattle to Paris was cancelled but we decided to travel to Seattle so we could talk with the Air France counter directly (the phone lines were completely jammed). We arrived in Seattle and made our way to the AF desk where we tried to re-book on another flight. The soonest we could get was Thursday, April 22nd.
We booked that flight and took the shuttle to a hotel that AF had arranged for us. Saturday morning we were back at the airport to see if there wasn't another way to get there sooner. It was a very discouraging day. In Paris, Brandon and Fabienne were madly trying to help. We transferred over to The Fairfield Inn and settled in for the next few days to come. So many people were stranded. There were many stories of dashed hopes and plans, ruined celebrations. We tried to keep our spirits up but it was stressful with the deadline looming. If we held out for the Thursday flight and it was cancelled that would be IT, we would not be at our son's wedding. By Sunday morning, Brandon was frantic and told us in no uncertain terms to get to the airport and try anyway to get to Europe.

Decisions, Decisiosn

After ordering 5 dresses and after much useful feedback from friends and family, the choice was made. Ken bought a new suit and a tie to match with the dress. The month of April was flying by and our flight is scheduled for April 16th. Our friends, Anne and William will take us to the airport.


I love the process of planning a trip. Research seems to be something that comes naturally to me. With all the resources on the internet at my disposal, it seems easy. The trick is to NOT let it consume all my time. We have decided to go a week before the wedding date so we will be rested.

We have chosen to rent a flat in Aix-en-Provence where Shana will join us on April 22nd. On the 24th, we will move over to the Tournet's home for the rest of our time in Provence (except for 2 nights which we will spend in Le Pradet on the coast). That of course was how it was suppose to be.....

Visit from an Angel

Boy, what is it with this jealousy issue. I have realized that it's because I have always been #1 with my son and even with other girlfriends I was still #1. Well, now THE ONE has come along. It took me a couple of weeks to realize that my struggle was not with liking her; but with relinquishing my position in my precious son’s heart. Now with that accomplished, I’m busy making plenty of room for her in my own heart. She is beyond wonderful and the whole family and all of Brandon’s friends are crazy about her. What I really love is that they are equally smitten. Her visit with us the month of August was wonderful and it was a joy to see them together. Saying goodbye in September was hard for everyone. Awhile after she returned to Paris, Brandon told me that he felt like someone had cut off his arm and he decided that he had to be where she was. So, he is leaving Oct. 4th for Paris. B and I on a secret mission for a little something to take with him...

Monday Nov. 9th. Last night Brandon called and I knew right away that something was up. That little sound in his voice. They called to tell us the happy news that they are engaged. We immediately jumped on Skype (so we could see their lovely faces). Fabienne was crying happy tears and Brandon was grinning (or I should say smirking) from ear to ear). He proposed to her on a walk around one of the most romantic parts of Paris (Île St-Louis) and then they went to a cozy little spot for dinner. We are so happy and thrilled for them (and us!). This will make my trip to see them in December even better. I leave on Dec. 2 and will spend 10 days with them. Fabienne’s parents will travel from Provence to meet me and we will go to Fabienne’s play together. I know that the days will fly by and seem just like a dream.

January 4, 2010
December flew by – trip to Paris – I get giddy just thinking about it – the kids were so generous with their affection and their time. I met Fabienne’s parents – wonderful, interesting and very, very kind people. The wedding, of course, was a very hot topic. The date has been set for April 24, 2010 and it will be in Aix-en-Provence (where her parents live). I will never forget wedding dress shopping in Paris with Fabienne. She is so beautiful and graceful. There were several dresses that she liked but she needs more time to make her choice. I felt honored to accompany her and we had a wonderful time.

Dec. 14th. Home and needless to say, I’m in full on trip planning mode not to mention the search for a decent dress for the occasion....

We should have known

I guess we should have known when we saw Brandon off to follow his dream that something like this would happen. I always knew that his life was sure to be full of the unexpected and Film school in Paris France sounded pretty exotic. He learned so much, met so many interesting people and made some wonderful friends. The first year was tough and stretched him in so many ways. And it was lonely and hard on the personal front. So much happened the 2nd year and a lot that I'm sure we will never know. Then in the summer, an engagement followed the next spring by heartbreak. But all was as it was meant to be. By June 2009, he was in total twitter and lightning had in deed struck in Paris. Fabienne had come into his life.