Today Was A Fairytale

Somehow, this afternoon still doesn’t seem quite real.  Not even a bit.

Every once in a while, there are days that are so perfect, you want to capture the moments—hold them like pearls in the palm of your hand, carry them in your pockets, let them whisper in your ear. 

This was one of those days. Tea parties are a big event for little girls, but don’t let age fool you.  No matter how old a girl gets, there’s something quite special about teatime—especially at the Ladurée patisserie and tearoom.  The French confection shop, world-renown for famous macarons and tea, nestles in the side of the iconic Harrods department store in the heart of London .  On Sunday afternoon, when my mom and I walked by on our way into this fashion mecca, I didn’t even think about stopping. I just stared wistfully at the elegant people lounging in the Ladurée tables, which were covered with silver teapots, delicate china cups, and beautifully designed confections.  A pure blend of tradition, culture, and taste—London and Paris, sweet and savory, all in one place.  Flawless. 

But two hours later . . . .

My mom and I were leaving Harrods when a café caught her eye.  She asked a man nearby about “Café Rouge,” a restaurant across the street.  He shook his head no, quite enthusiastically.  “No, madam, no,” he said with a French lilt. “You go there, across the street, you might get hit by a bus or a cab.”  We grinned. “No. You must go here.”  He gestured to the left.

It’s then that I looked more closely at his distinguished attire: this man was clearly is the manager of Ladurée, the small heaven itself.  My eyes widened with astonishment as he lead us into the elegant tearoom, told the guards that our travel luggage would be placed behind the counter (a rare exception), skipped over the hordes of people waiting, and seated us in the best seat in the house in a matter of seconds. 

Two minutes later, my mother and I were sipping Marie Antoinette tea in this gorgeous tearoom, on a Sunday afternoon in London, at 4 o’clock, in high tourist season. Just like that.

These sorts of things don’t just happen.  You don’t just waltz into an internationally acclaimed patisserie and just get top treatment from the manager and wait staff.        It just doesn’t. But today—today, it did.

I was stunned the entire time, and murmured witty phrases, like Wow. This doesn’t feel real. Amazing.

 That about covers my coherency.  I kept shaking my head in disbelief.  The croissants could not have been lighter, and the macarons? No words.  The shop practically dripped with class, and I could hardly believe I could be a part of it.  So, I raise my teacup, to a magical, perfect, sugar-sprinkled afternoon.

Cheerio.