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Love Is A Place, Home Is A Person

Prelude to this post, the best vegan sandwich in the world at Aux Vivres, Montreal (veggie pate)


We're getting ready to fly out to Montreal!

 Going home is so nice, but it also makes me realize that over the past 15 months, I have really made Switzerland home, too.
It's OK to have two places that are home, right?

 The truth is, home for me has become less about location, and more about where my heart is. For two years, Thomas and I were nurturing our relationship long-distance style, and it gave us both such an incredible appreciation for each moment we have had together in one place. 
For some, it might seem like just an ordinary, run-of-the-mill life, but to us, it's extraordinary.

 We really value what it means to have a home and a family together, because for so long we had to rely on seeing each other every 3-4 months...man, I don't miss those days, but I'll always be grateful that we had the experience of being apart; it makes our love so much stronger. And, even nowadays, when we're apart for longer than...2 days, we go pretty batty!

 So, all this to say, we are super excited to go and visit everyone in Montreal, introduce Theo to our Canadian friends and family, shop til we drop and eat some delicious and unhealthy snacks.

 It's also crazy to think that the last time I went to Montreal (last November for 10 days alone) I was:

 -5 months preggo with Theo
-Didn't know Theo was a boy yet
-Had only been in Swizz for 3.5 months at that point

 Now, we're going back with a 6-month-old and a 4 month baby bump! Crazy how much can happen in a year. We've had a pretty productive 2016 and 2017 (and 2018 will follow suit, with second baby arriving!!!)
I never posted photos from last year's trip, so here's some photos (mostly of food) to kick start this little adventure!
Classic diner club sandwich. 

Remember that time that they sent my suitcase to Los Angeles by accident? Well, this was after my suitcase was returned, and I could switch out of mom's clothes and feel like myself again 




Two of my favorite women: my mom and my sis. This was at my surprise baby shower that was supposed to be Ashley's surprise birthday party. One day I'll get her dammit!

Baby Thomas and Baby Ariane on sticks for the baby shower games. Blondes have more fun

Amazing squirrel cake for the shower. When I  lived in Montreal, I was obsessed with squirrels, and now I have none in Swizz :( One major downfall.

This makes me so damn hungry. I swear the minute I get into my sister's house, the first thing I'm doing is making an entire box of KD 

Mixed feelings about this! I love the snow, in moderation. I don't miss the freezing, icy cold mornings, the never-ending winters and the dark gloominess that plagues the city for 6-7 months.

And this amazing little guy is one full year older. I miss my nephew so much, and can't wait for cuddles. It's going to be amazing to see the cousins meeting for the first time.

And these beautiful people! Two of my absolute besties, Stef and Natasha. These girls have known me forever and being with them definitely feels like "home". Can't wait for nonstop laughs with these two (and not pictured, my other besties, Ashley, Erica, Michelle and Nicolas)

When I got to Montreal my baby belly started to push out...must've been all the KD and poutine. Snapping a selfie to share the moment with hubs.

Delicious, dirty poutine


Had to have hubby's favorite - maple glazed donut <3
And then we were reunited, and life was good. Back when we were just 3! Now we're almost 5!!! My heart. <3

So that's it. I'm looking forward to a little vacation from working, the last month and a half has been crazy with freelance work, and I want to come home and do more creative writing.

 I need to finish up my book and get it published!

 So off we go, to the land where people smile and say hello in the streets, where I can afford everything I want to buy, where I can eat poutine and Thai Express and vegan sushi in one day, and then walk it off on the Plateau.

 Ah, the more I think of it, this is gonna be damn good.

 <333

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