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In my 40th year, I stopped waiting for Prince Charming to whisk me off to the City of Light and booked my dream trip to Paris, taking my mom on the adventure. Unfortunately, the "adventure" started before we could even get off the ground.

It was the trip of a lifetime . . . that almost didn't happen. You see, on Thursday night prior to our Saturday flight, I couldn't find my passport. You don't need a hotel reservation or packed bags to get to Paris, but you do need that passport! I had it over the prior weekend - I had taken it out of my "important papers" file as I began gathering items to pack. But when my mom got into town and I grabbed her passport Thursday night to make copies the next day, I couldn't find mine.

Those were truly among the worst 14 hours of my life. And not just because we went through my garbage 4 times. And not just because we got almost no sleep. I was physically ill at the thought of not getting on that plane. Through some miracle (or at least divine intervention), I found the passport Friday afternoon. It was in my home office, the entire time, hiding in plain sight under a headset jack splitter I had bought for the trip. You can imagine the crying that ensued after I yelled "I found it" to my mom. Then I called my friends, co-workers, travel agent - everyone who was trying to help me find it or get a replacement passport by Saturday. We tried to wind down and catch up on sleep Friday night after the emotional ordeal.

Saturday came and I couldn't wait to get on the plane to Paris!!! We flew all night, landing around 9 a.m. Sunday morning Paris time (but 2 a.m. our time). I had barely slept on the plane, but I didn't care (until around 5 pm when I could barely stay awake!). We spent 6 full days (Sunday - Friday) seeing every inch of Paris we could. Needless to say, we were exhausted on Saturday when we headed back to Charles DeGaulle Airport. But who cares? We spent 6 glorious days in Paris! I can't possibly tell you everything we did, so here are the highlights (and a few lowlights):

Biggest Surprise: The Eiffel Tower twinkle lights. After we had taken the tram and elevators to the top of the Eiffel Tower and back down, as we walked away, 20,000 flash bulbs began to twinkle. Everyone gasped and we looked up to see the most magnificent sight. The "diamond dress" is on for only the first 5 minutes of every hour so our timing, while completely unplanned, was perfect.

Best Tour: Seine Dinner Cruise. The Bateaux Parisiens glass-top boat, delicious food prepared on board by a chef and his team, live music and the lighted monuments of Paris as you drift by - all combined to create an unforgettable night! Bonus points: we docked at 11 pm and saw the twinkle lights of the Eiffel Tower (again!).

Most Ornate: Le Palais Garnier, or the Paris Opera House. It's like the Fox Theatre on steroids. Gold steroids.

Best Museum: The Musee d'Orsay. I wouldn't have cared if the Impressionist paintings were housed in a barn. But the fact that they are housed in a converted train station and presented in rooms filled with natural light, well, it was awe-inspiring. I went back another day to linger and visit "my" paintings a second time.

Best Dessert: Waffle with ice cream and chocolate sauce at the Musee d'Orsay restaurant. Just when I thought I couldn't love this place any more. I'm pretty sure I sounded like Meg Ryan in the diner scene eating it. But it was nearly orgasmic.

Best Meal: Steak (and neither of us EVER eat steak) at Le Chantecler (The Rooster) Restaurant. I rarely "mmmmm" any entrée, but this was "mmmmm" worthy. The sauce was so delicious and the steak so tender, we went back a 2nd night!

Worst Meal: The Moulin Rouge. Imagine the worst banquet room meal you've ever been served. Skip the dinner. See the show (feathers, dancers, snakes, oh my!).

Biggest Shopping Thrill (also known as the smallest shop I traveled half way around the globe to visit): the Christian Louboutin store. Shoe heaven.

Funniest Moment: Mom's face as she got in the antique French car for the "Paris Authentic" night tour. We both love antiques, but in cars, not so much. We're pretty sure her butt almost hit the ground. She just froze and stared up at me. I think she felt the tour was over before it began, but she moved to the other side and our concierge gave us 2 pillows for me to sit on and away we went. We actually got great photos that evening and the guide drove us by the French President's house, so it was worth it.

I'm really glad I took my mom. Even though she joked she might not make it home with me (yes, a few Frenchmen took a romantic interest in me). But we made it home safe and sound. Without a Prince Charming in sight.