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Personal : On my 35th Birthday


rebecca plotnick Eiffel Tower

The personal posts are always the most difficult to write. Today is my birthday! I was the kid who used to celebrate my birthday every year to the fullest. It wouldn’t be just one day it would be an entire month celebration. I was lucky enough to celebrate my birthday with one of my favorite people, my grandmother. Her birthday was just two days before mine so we would typically share a cake. If you have been reading the blog for a while you will know already she was my person. She was my cheerleader, my first phone call and my best friend. We had such a special relationship. A few years ago I flew home from Paris to celebrate her 90th birthday. I am so happy I did because this was one of her last. I feel incredibly lucky that I had my grandmother in my life as long as I did. She loved to hear my travel stories and I have no doubt she would be a huge fan of this blog! She travels with me now wherever I go and I keep her memory alive. Since she passed birthdays haven’t been the same…

For my 35th Birthday, I booked a flight to Paris. Since I can work remotely I decided to go for a month and work from Paris. I will share more about “The Paris Plan” in tomorrow’s post. I always thought by age 35 I would have a husband, kids, and a house. When I was younger I would look up to the Moms who I babysat for and thought they were so cool! We all know that life doesn’t go according to plan. 

I did, however, know plan to be a photographer when I was about this age. I figured I would be a Mom with a photography business on the side. I had no idea that I would be lucky enough to be a travel photographer. I know that the life I have isn’t normal. I know a lot of people envy my lifestyle but on the flip side, I sometimes envy people that have a husband and kids. I know the grass is always greener right?

The best advice I have gotten over the years from women who have married later is to live your life. Enjoy the freedom and the travel because when you do find love it happens fast!

I have two Birthday wishes that I am willing to share with you. First off there was an episode of Sex and The City way back in the day when Carrie decided she had enough weddings and baby gifts she deserved a pair of Loubitons. You all know by now I prefer flats instead of heels. So I am wishing for this mirror from Anthropologie. I have the perfect spot for it! 

For those of you who are looking for something a little smaller to gift to me. This blog has been my baby, my passion project for the last year. If you know someone that loves Paris, is a Francophile, planning a trip to Paris (you get it) Tell them about the blog. Send them a text, email, facebook post. Call a friend! Join the book club! This would be the best gift. 

Thank you all so much for following this adventure with me. I can’t wait to see what happens in this next year and I am so happy to have you join me!

xo

Rebecca 

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  1. Bonjour Rebecca
    Look forward to theemail telling me of an update! Am heading to Paris in October & looking for tips on everything, I’ve been saving pages with ideas for months already!! What do you do about phone & data? Being away for 3
    months I am going to need to work and as I see you do too was interested in how you go about
    it. Merci

    • Hi Natalie,

      I have a post coming up on SIM cards and cell phones. Paris in October is a great time to visit. You will love all the colors. Depending on the weather you can either get crisp Fall air or warm temperatures.

  2. Happy Birtday, late, Rebecca. Lucky you, I haven’t been to Paris since 2015. My BDay is in October and I should be In St. Martin. Please eat a Paris hot dog for me. I liked best the one I got on St Dominique on the left when walking towards the Eiffel. In the next block after Rue Augereau, at a nice bar/small rearaurant.

  3. I know I am late, but happy birthday Rebecca! I share your blog often as it has been a huge gift and inspiration to me. My grandfather passed about a year ago and we were also birthday buddies. I am January 19th and he was the 20th. Whatever age I was turning, all I had to do was add 60 and that was his. I miss him every day and birthdays aren’t the same now, but I too carry his memory with me. Thank you for sharing that beautiful story.

    Lauren

  4. Rebecca, I know I wished you greetings during the week, but now it’s a Happy Belated Birthday!! You also share your birthday with my niece! I told you that my dad and niece had birthdays your same week. Your blog about your grandmother is so moving and beautiful! I want to share with you that I have several nieces your age that aren’t married either. They are living their life to the fullest like you through work and travel. I have other nieces that are older (late 30’s) and are just starting their families. You can have it all! Your story about your connection with your grandmother also reminds me of a children’s book. It’s about a girl who was supposed to travel to Paris with her devoted grandmother. It’s called My Secret Guide to Paris: A Wish Novel.
    Enjoy your Sunday in Paris! We are celebrating Easter today!
    Laurie Crevier Hughes

    • Hi Laurie,

      Thank you so much for your sweet words!! I really appreciate your support in me having it all. I am learning that my timeline is just a little bit different from the norm and I have to accept this. I can’t wait to check out the book you recommended. I would love to read it! Happy Sunday and Easter!! Enjoy your day!

      xo
      Rebecca

  5. What a beautiful, heartfelt and transparent post, Rebecca. You are blessed to have those memories of and with your grandmother. That is a very special relationship! My birthday gift to you was the purchase of the lovely dusty pink Parisian roses photograph a few weeks ago. I hope you spend that money on champagne, cheese, chocolate or whatever makes your soul smile. Cheers to staying open to love while continuing to just be you and to loving the life you’ve created. I am inspired by you!

    • Hello Missy!

      Thank you so much! I am so lucky to have had such a special relationship with my grandmother and she was around for a long time. I would be very grateful to live as long as she did! I really appreciate your sweet birthday gift! I will make sure to have extra champagne, cheese, and chocolate. The perfect combination! I hope you enjoy the print! I am so happy to inspire you. How is the book coming along?

      xo

    • You are the sweetest! I am so happy we were able to connect. You have been such a lovely light in my life and your friendship is a great gift! Thank you for being YOU!! xo

  6. Congratulations! Such a beautiful written post…I am looking forward to your Parisian diaries! xx

  7. Happiest of happy birthdays! This blog is a fantastic creation, and one that you should celebrate as a major accomplishment before age 35! The same is true for your business. My birthday gift to you is the purchase of a Cuba print — a little Paris money in your pocket and in the pockets of the people of Cuba. Can’t wait to watch your adventures over the next month! Kat