Our last full day ❤️

IToday was a dream...we did both very Parisian things as well as very tourist things this day, but I loved it all immensely. We began our morning at a hidden gem in the heart of the 19th arrondissement. It was a park, not quite like any I've ever seen before. It had more than one waterfall, a hideaway gazebo on top of a hill overlooking the city, a bridge over a beautiful lake, just to describe some of its perfection. Parisian men and women were all over, running through the park, while others were simply there for an early afternoon stroll with their children. It was one of the most pleasant scenes I saw while in Paris and something I'm truly grateful that Dr. Propes mentioned to us. The four of us sat on a bench, enjoyed a small picnic lunch and watched the lives around us play out. Seeing Paris in its everyday element is simply something that can't be done near one of its iconic landmarks.

This is the view from the gazebo

I've included several pictures of this place, but a picture can't describe peace. And that's something this park had. A peaceful atmosphere, perfect for a simple moment to break up the bustle of city life.

The rest the day was simply spent in enjoyment. Paige and I were planning on going to the top of Notre dame, but we actually just decided to sit in front of it, enjoying it as we have the past few days. It was wonderful and the perfect way to end our time in the city. Of course, we had recently bought some perfectly fashionable hats, so that made us look even more authentic

Currently, I'm writing this from the air, as I was too exhausted to write it last night. As we were rushing this morning to pack, i didn't have much of an opportunity to reflect, yet as we climbed into our shuttle van at 6:00, I realized that the week was over and I was going home. Time is such a fickle friend, one minute it's here forever and seems never ending, and the next its gone without any kind of goodbye. This has been an extraordinary trip for me. I've seen places that I've been reading and learning about my entire life...seeing them in person, touching the stones of people who never even knew they'd be remembered...it gives me contentment that my individual life matters and makes me excited to go on more adventures and connect with the ghosts of the past in new ways. See ya soon, Tennessee!