To France With Love
The Eiffel Tower and an Early Birthday
Rafa beat Martin Kilzan after losing the first set, and coming back to win the next three. It was much less stressful for me to watch than to watch him lose the first, go to a tiebreaker, then win the next two.
I stood and applauded with the rest of the crowd as he waved to us, gathered his bags, and exit the court. He played well. It was still a long way away, but I was pretty sure Rafa could make the finals. Making the finals would be so great. Winning it would be even better.
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I threw on a white Vineyard Vines t shirt with a patterned skirt and ran out to meet Rafa. He was waiting for me next to a cab he had called. We were going to go to dinner then walk to the Eiffel Tower.
I seriously loved being in Paris right now. What other nineteen year old girls can say that their boyfriend took them to dinner then to the Eiffel Tower just for a normal date? Rafa was a total gentleman too. He opened doors and pulled out chairs for me. I was happier than ever here.
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I leaned over the railing of the Eiffel Tower, “Oh my gosh!” I said, turning around to face Rafa “Babe, it's your birthday tomorrow!” He grinned at me.
“Yeah, I know.” He answered me, still grinning. He put his hands on either side of me on the railing and I wrapped my hands around his neck.
“Happy early birthday.” I said. I leaned in and kissed him.
How many girls can say they gave their boyfriend a birthday kiss under the stars, in Paris, at the top of the Eiffel Tower? Probably more than I thought, but now I could too.
When we finished kissing, I turned out to look at Paris at night. Rafa stood behind me holding the railing with one hand and resting the other on my hip. The lights were so gorgeous from so high. You could see on and on forever, and there were no clouds in the sky. I really didn't want this night to end, actually I wanted to stay here forever. I didn't want the French Open to end because it meant I had to go back to reality.
What was I going to do when the tournament ended? I had a life in Virginia, but my life in Virginia was a life without Rafa, and his life on tour was one without me.
I stood and applauded with the rest of the crowd as he waved to us, gathered his bags, and exit the court. He played well. It was still a long way away, but I was pretty sure Rafa could make the finals. Making the finals would be so great. Winning it would be even better.
............................................................................
I threw on a white Vineyard Vines t shirt with a patterned skirt and ran out to meet Rafa. He was waiting for me next to a cab he had called. We were going to go to dinner then walk to the Eiffel Tower.
I seriously loved being in Paris right now. What other nineteen year old girls can say that their boyfriend took them to dinner then to the Eiffel Tower just for a normal date? Rafa was a total gentleman too. He opened doors and pulled out chairs for me. I was happier than ever here.
.........................................................................
I leaned over the railing of the Eiffel Tower, “Oh my gosh!” I said, turning around to face Rafa “Babe, it's your birthday tomorrow!” He grinned at me.
“Yeah, I know.” He answered me, still grinning. He put his hands on either side of me on the railing and I wrapped my hands around his neck.
“Happy early birthday.” I said. I leaned in and kissed him.
How many girls can say they gave their boyfriend a birthday kiss under the stars, in Paris, at the top of the Eiffel Tower? Probably more than I thought, but now I could too.
When we finished kissing, I turned out to look at Paris at night. Rafa stood behind me holding the railing with one hand and resting the other on my hip. The lights were so gorgeous from so high. You could see on and on forever, and there were no clouds in the sky. I really didn't want this night to end, actually I wanted to stay here forever. I didn't want the French Open to end because it meant I had to go back to reality.
What was I going to do when the tournament ended? I had a life in Virginia, but my life in Virginia was a life without Rafa, and his life on tour was one without me.