Time has snuck up on me. Colin and I have been in St. Louis for more than six months now, which means we’re knee-deep in the minutiae of Real Life. As much as I still miss Paris, it now feels like a world away. The longer we’re away, the harder it is to imagine going back, even though I know it used to be unimaginable to not.

I was afraid of this. We expected it. But that’s good because it means that, long before we left Paris, we made a plan to return. And, incredibly, that trip is almost here! In one week, we’ll be back in Europe!

Colin will be presenting at a conference in Milan, so we’ll spend one week there, then we’ll venture north to Lake Como for a couple days before returning to Paris—for three days, or as I’ve been telling friends, just long enough to make sure our favorite restaurants haven’t changed their recipes.

I’m so excited! Paris, j’arrive! I’m excited for Italy, too, of course, but more than anything I’m curious to see what it feels like to be back in Paris. Will it feel the same? Will we feel like tourists in our old hometown? Will my French be better (because I’ve been studying) or worse (because I only ever talk to Americans)? What will have changed?

And, just as importantly, what should we do with such a short trip? How much can two adults eat in three days? How many baguettes? How many pounds of cheese? How many bottles of inexpensive champagne?!

Fear not: I will share all the delicious details, and I suspect I’ll probably come away with another infographic for you, too.

À bientôt, Paris!!!!