My Life in France and Valentine’s Day
As Valentine’s Day approaches I’m busy with red and pink related chores:
– Helping my daughters make valentines for their teachers and school friends (check);
– Decorating boxes to hold the charming notes they will certainly receive (check);
– Planning our family dinner and purchasing one of the, tempting looking, heart shaped desserts from the neighborhood bakery (check and check);
Having finished the list above, I found myself perusing through my copy of “French Cooking” by Julia Child in search of her famous Boeuf Bourguignon recipe, the perfect dish for a cozy evening, and ended up revisiting her adventures in “My Life in France”. One of the most romantic non-fiction books I ever read. Even though I’m quite sure you won’t find it in any The Most Romantic Books Ever Written list, I simply adore the absolute intimate relationship she had with her husband, Paul Child.
The book starts with their arrival in France in 1948. From the first meal they have in the restaurant La Couronne in Rouen (which still exists and is in my list of places to go), and all through the book, you will find sensuous descriptions of lavishing meals perfect for two. “…A sensational briny flavor and smooth texture that was entirely new and surprising,” could describe so many things, but in this case she’s talking about oysters. A simple green salad is salade verte and it’s laced with its sauce. Laced, I blush just imagining the closeness of the leaves in their bed, I mean, plate.
Julia and Paul didn’t only share fabulous meals; they also stood by each other in trying times. Like when Paul was investigated by the USIA in 1955 during the period Julia calls McCarthy’s terrible witch-hunt, when everyone was easily accused of communism. Not to mention Paul’s unwavering support during the eight year period it took her to write “Mastering The Art Of French Cooking”.
Being an expat turned immigrant, I can relate to many experiences she describes. Not speaking the language, and desperately wanting to communicate, is truly frustrating. Learning to navigate the cultural differences is a major challenge. And experimenting with a new cuisine is really fun. At every move Julia and Paul’s relationship seemed stronger. Facing challenges together united them, and I feel exactly the same with my husband. As we moved from Brazil to the US, back to Brazil, back to the US, then China, and finally settled in the US, we learned to rely on each other and grew closer, and that’s very romantic.