Ten years ago today, I took this photograph.
That afternoon, August 2, 2011, I was wandering in Paris with my camera. As I turned down a small street, I noticed this gorgeous building at the end. It struck me as the quintessential Parisian apartment with its balconies, railings and columns, and pediments over the windows. I photographed it and even had it for sale in my print shop for many years as “The Paris Apartment”. I couldn’t recall the street it was on nor even the area but often daydreamed about how joyful it would be to live there. It seemed at the time the ultimate fantasy.
Years passed while David and I kept working toward our dream of our own Paris apartment. We never stopped believing we could achieve it, even though it would have been easy to do so many times. We kept the vision alive and we kept ourselves going with setting goals, daily affirmations, abundant gratitude and continually envisioning our life in Paris.
Last fall, despite Brexit and the pandemic, book deadlines and travel restrictions, we began our permanent move to France. David arrived first, living in a temporary apartment in the 7th arrondissement until I could join him. One day, we were both looking at online apartment listings and discovered that we had each independently bookmarked the same beautiful Haussmann apartment that had just been listed. We both felt that was perfect for our new studio and home.
David lost no time and arranged with the agent to view it the next morning. He walked me through it on FaceTime and we agreed to go ahead and apply for it! Before long, and thanks to David’s brilliant negotiating, we had a contract signed and the apartment was ours! Even though I hadn’t seen it in person, it all felt right and I was so thrilled that our dream was actually happening! I arrived in Paris in March and by April we had moved in, as most of you know. We had little furniture or household items, just one or two suitcases each and all the shops were closed due to the pandemic. But even so, we were pinching ourselves and giddy with joy!
That first morning, as I stood on the balcony and looked down to the end of the street, I thought “that building looks awfully familiar”. I pulled up the photograph taken ten years before and could not believe what I saw. I just stood and stared. And stared. And tears began to fall.
Not only were we now living on the exact (tiny) street where I had stood and taken that photo in 2011 but the view of that dream apartment is now what I see every morning from our balconies (above, taken this morning). I TRULY had no idea when we moved in here that it was the same street.
So, we didn’t end living in THAT dream Paris apartment, but we have our very own now with a perfect VIEW of that one. And every time I see it, I am reminded, grateful and humbled, that dreams absolutely can come true and that what you believe in and envision for your life absolutely can become a reality. And often the universe will surprise you, giving you just what you asked for, even if you might have forgotten it yourself.
I know that many of you have been along for this entire journey and I want to thank you so very deeply for supporting and believing in what I do. You are so much a part of all of this and I never, ever forget that.
Wishing each of you love and so many dreams coming true!
xx
G
Can I just say that i LOVE this friend?!! So excited for you, and what a great thing to share. Dreams do come true, and I’m so glad that it did for the two of you. How exciting!!! I know we are all so looking forward to what beautiful things the two of you will capture with your camera lenses. Wishing you beyond magical days, weeks, months and years in your new home. xo Lidy
Hello, Lidy, and thank you!
We really appreciate your kind and generous wishes and for sharing the joy of being here. The more of Paris we can bring to others, the happier we are, too.
Looking forward to when you can visit France again!
xx
🌸 Such an Inspiration, dear Georgianna. I am Happy for You2. Taking a page out of your playbook and re-applying it to My Life now. Bisous. 💋 @amazingyear on IG
Hi again, Tricia!
Thank you for your sweet message. I’m so glad if this story was inspiring. And I wish you all that you desire. Nothing is too big to dream of and you have all that it takes to achieve everything you envision.
Bisous. 💋
G
I love this story, thank you so much for sharing. When we feel stuck and unmoving, we can just put a beautiful picture of what we love up and it will work its magic in the background as we move towards our goals… Happy new life in Paris :-)
Hi Louisa!
Aww, thank you so much. What you say is so true! It’s easy to get impatient and discouraged but to keep moving forward will always end up being more rewarding than one can imagine.
Wishing you great success. Stay safe and well, too.
xx
Georgianna
What a beautiful story! You guys so deserve this!!! Wishing you both a very blessed life in your place of dreams! 🌸🌿
Hello, my friend! Thank you so much!! We are really looking forward to being fully established and immersing ourselves in life here.
We so appreciate your support and kindness.
xx G
Dreams do come true if you believe and that’s what you two let happen! So excited for you. I just wished I could visit Paris in my lifetime.
Thank you so much, Nancy! It’s been years of work and we have given up a lot to arrive at this point but are very happy to finally be here. I’ll share as much of Paris as possible so that you feel you are visiting virtually. xx G
In an imperfect world your camera brings moments of great beauty to share with others. Thank you ~ for making your dream come true is a peaceful reminder of what’s good in this world. Ellen
Thank you very much, Ellen, for this very thoughtful and kind message. Creating and sharing these photos and images is so important to me and it means a great deal that they have that effect. xx G
What a great story my darling Georgianna. You were always meant to be there, God is always working behind the scenes when we listen and work hard for our life-vision. Wishing you both many more moments of all the beauty to share with us. xo Aida
Thank you so much, dear Aida! You are always so kind and supportive. We are looking forward to sharing much more soon. With love, G xx
Hello Georgianna, I am an admirer, and customer. The pictures and timing of your apartments is amazing and oh so beautiful! As they say there are no coincidences! You are truly living a dream and I thank you so much for sharing it with us. The connection to your images transports me away during this crazy time and has been a source of my dream that you provide the ability to share. Peonies and Paris….heavenly! Enjoy and warm wishes!!
Hello, Allison, and thank you so much for this beautiful message!
I’m very glad that my images give you a visual journey and source of inspiration.
I hope that you are safe and well and that you keep sight of your dreams, no matter what is happening.
All my best,
Georgianna
What a dream apartment, view and location! I so enjoy your posts and photos. Thank you for sharing! I can only hope and dream to find a comparable place to give me that feeling as I begin my search.
Hello, Norma, and thank you! I’m very happy to hear that. Are you looking in Paris for a place? xx G