My first trip to Paris took place in 1999. I was with my high school group who had opted to join one of the French teachers on a quick tour of Paris followed by a two-week home stay in Provence. We had a mere five days in Paris, but Madame Miller was determined to show us ever major monument and any other pertinent site that we had no doubt already discussed in French class. Since that trip, my time in Paris has gone from that of a student to a tourist to a resident to a tourist to a studier of all things Paris to a photographer to a resident, and everything in between. My relationship with Paris is changing, and that is taking some adjustment. The physical adjustment, of course, is happening naturally, but this place that I once could not get enough of is not meeting all of my needs at the moment, and it’s proving mentally challenging to come to grips with that. I certainly never thought my feelings about Paris would change.

As I decide what role I want Paris to play in my life, I enjoy reminiscing about the dynamics of our “relationship” over the years. This past month of October, I was tourist and photographer again, and the City was the backdrop for so many exciting things for me. One thing is for sure: whether it has a leading or a supporting role in my life, I am so thankful for all it has provided for me over the years in inspiration and as a home.