Thank you so much, Leigh—I really appreciate it! ☺️ As an aside: I found your writing through Jolene just a few months ago and became an instant fan, so thank *you* for everything you’re putting out into the world.
Maddie, this is incredible —what you’ve done here is absolutely beautiful. The conversations are so vivid and sweet and your questions let the memories flow about the trip, about your mom, every small detail . What an honor it’s been for me to watch your process of telling this story unfold. I can’t wait for part two. This is touching and breathtaking. ❤️
It’s worth repeating that this piece wouldn’t exist without your generous, encouraging prompting! I never considered publishing these stories until you mentioned the possibility. Thank you for being a cheerleader—and friend!
Kristin, I wonder if you and my mom’s family were on the same voyage! Even if you weren’t, it’s so cool to imagine you were all thisclose to meeting each other onboard. Thank you for sharing this! 🤗
I've given it some more thought ... I think we may have been on the SS France in 1964, when I was 8, and a different boat in 1966, perhaps the New Amsterdam or the New Holland (something Dutch sounding.) Both were from New York to England.
My mother had the romantic notion she would sit on the deck in a lounge chair, wrapped up in a cozy blanket, reading a book and sipping consumé.
I remember the SS France voyage better. For entertainment, there was a film each night, including the Beatles' A Hard Days Night; Thomasina; and The Girl with Green Eyes. There was also a film about a plane crash, which even at 8 years old, I thought was a bit sadistic to show boat voyagers.
Dinner was the highlight of each day, and yes, it was rather formal. White tablecloths and tuxedoed waiters. Our waiter was "Mr Bubbles" 😊 and he was especially kind to a shy little 8-year-old. On the last night, there was a display of ice sculptures in the dining room. Who knows why they would do this on a boat voyage, but they were beautiful to look at.
I'm sure my mother would have kept the menus, as she kept a collection of art museum, music and performance programs, etc, but if she had them, I have yet to find them. The ones you have are beautiful.
I so appreciate reading all of these wonderful details, Kristin, all of which transported me back in time. (Mr. Bubbles! 🥹) I’m reading a biography of Judith Jones right now that mentioned—in passing—a couple of trans-Atlantic trips by steamer, and it’s stories like yours that are bringing them to life for me!
My mom shared this story with me. I have menus from my grandparent’s voyage as well. They are all children’s fairy tales in French. They are very similar to yours.
Amanda, I’m delighted to know that you (and your mom!) enjoy your own personal link to the experiences I shared here. I *so* love hearing about the children’s fairy tales (!) on the menus from your grandparents. Thank you for sharing that detail! ☺️
i am in love with your cover photo - what a perfect capture for this. when you wrote about a depth year i did not expect such a wonderful dive into family history. everything here is so vivid, from the gorgeous menus to the conversations (the parallel storyline of service travel versus leisure was a favourite layer!) thank you for sharing such a fun peek into your world! <3
I didn’t expect it either—it’s really fun to follow these threads and see the surprising places they lead! (Also, that photo is one of my favorites, so thank you for calling it out 🥰)
I really appreciate knowing that you enjoyed this one!
Last year I got myself a free Ancestry account to see how far back I can trace my family on my grandma's side. I got to the 1300s in France. I found that a lot of my family was in WWI and WWII.
Arianna, that is incredible! 🤯 It’s something I’ve considered doing too, but it always seemed like such a heavy lift. Hearing how far you’ve gotten in a year is incredibly motivating—wow!!
I badly want to go back in time and experience that kind of trip - the food, the clothes and dressing for dinner, the maids and butlers! Thank you for sharing your family's memories with us!
Those menus! Gorgeous!! They would look incredible framed and hung. Family heirloom with an incredibly feel good story behind them. 😍
I instantly thought of An Affair To Remember when I started reading this. Everything felt/sounded so chic. What an amazing piece of family history to share with us. Thank you, Maddie. Can't wait for Part 2.
I’d originally meant to frame them but had forgotten about that intention…this is such a welcome nudge to make it happen! Thank you so much, Jenovia ❤️
It’s also a nudge to settle in with some popcorn and rewatch An Affair To Remember. It’s impossibly romantic 🥰
What a fascinating experience! I love that you captured these stories and this way of travel. I've never been on a cruise, but something about this particular type of voyage feels so special that I can't quite capture it into words. I wonder how a transatlantic cruise would feel today—if it could even come close or if it would offer something else equally remarkable.
Thank you so much, Marissa—and I agree, I’m curious about the exact same thing! Going on an Alaska cruise is still on my bucket list; it’s a different beast, but hopefully still a window into what this all must’ve been like.
Though for some reason, I can’t imagine anything these days being quite so elegant!
Aliza, I’m touched to hear this—thank you! You’ve developed such great interview skills through Platonic Love that I know you’ll surface some really fascinating, meaningful stories whenever you sit down with your family.
This was my first time doing so…and now I’m not sure why I waited so long!
Those menus are beautiful! Love this collab between you and Jolene
Thank you so much, Leigh—I really appreciate it! ☺️ As an aside: I found your writing through Jolene just a few months ago and became an instant fan, so thank *you* for everything you’re putting out into the world.
Amelia Wilson and Jolene have both hyped you to me! 😊 keep up the great work
Aw, shucks. As you already know, Amelia and Jolene are two of the most delightful (and hype-worthy) people around!
Maddie, this is incredible —what you’ve done here is absolutely beautiful. The conversations are so vivid and sweet and your questions let the memories flow about the trip, about your mom, every small detail . What an honor it’s been for me to watch your process of telling this story unfold. I can’t wait for part two. This is touching and breathtaking. ❤️
It’s worth repeating that this piece wouldn’t exist without your generous, encouraging prompting! I never considered publishing these stories until you mentioned the possibility. Thank you for being a cheerleader—and friend!
Thank you, my friend — this is going to be our glamorous depth year and it’s gonna be good! 🤗
Cheers to THAT! 🥂
Also, forgot to mention that opening photo you took is amazing!
Oh, thank you!! It’s one of my very favorites…I was delighted to realize that I had the perfect place to use it here 🤗
Perfect! I’m looking at a 3pm CT posting (did I mention I obsess before I hit publish and continue editing until I need to take a nap? 🤣)
this story was captivating. thank you for putting it all together and sharing in such a delightful way.
I can’t imagine a kinder compliment. Thank you, Kristen! Honestly, it was incredibly fun to put together—I’m so glad you enjoyed it 🤗
What a lovely post, it brings back nice memories. I sailed on the SS France in 1966 with my mother & brother from NYC to England.
Kristin, I wonder if you and my mom’s family were on the same voyage! Even if you weren’t, it’s so cool to imagine you were all thisclose to meeting each other onboard. Thank you for sharing this! 🤗
That's a fun idea, Maddie ☺️
I've given it some more thought ... I think we may have been on the SS France in 1964, when I was 8, and a different boat in 1966, perhaps the New Amsterdam or the New Holland (something Dutch sounding.) Both were from New York to England.
My mother had the romantic notion she would sit on the deck in a lounge chair, wrapped up in a cozy blanket, reading a book and sipping consumé.
I remember the SS France voyage better. For entertainment, there was a film each night, including the Beatles' A Hard Days Night; Thomasina; and The Girl with Green Eyes. There was also a film about a plane crash, which even at 8 years old, I thought was a bit sadistic to show boat voyagers.
Dinner was the highlight of each day, and yes, it was rather formal. White tablecloths and tuxedoed waiters. Our waiter was "Mr Bubbles" 😊 and he was especially kind to a shy little 8-year-old. On the last night, there was a display of ice sculptures in the dining room. Who knows why they would do this on a boat voyage, but they were beautiful to look at.
I'm sure my mother would have kept the menus, as she kept a collection of art museum, music and performance programs, etc, but if she had them, I have yet to find them. The ones you have are beautiful.
I so appreciate reading all of these wonderful details, Kristin, all of which transported me back in time. (Mr. Bubbles! 🥹) I’m reading a biography of Judith Jones right now that mentioned—in passing—a couple of trans-Atlantic trips by steamer, and it’s stories like yours that are bringing them to life for me!
Mr Bubbles was a lovely guy, perhaps in his 20s or 30s. A redhead. Super sweet to me. Thinking back, I'm guessing he might have been gay 😊
My mom shared this story with me. I have menus from my grandparent’s voyage as well. They are all children’s fairy tales in French. They are very similar to yours.
Amanda, I’m delighted to know that you (and your mom!) enjoy your own personal link to the experiences I shared here. I *so* love hearing about the children’s fairy tales (!) on the menus from your grandparents. Thank you for sharing that detail! ☺️
i am in love with your cover photo - what a perfect capture for this. when you wrote about a depth year i did not expect such a wonderful dive into family history. everything here is so vivid, from the gorgeous menus to the conversations (the parallel storyline of service travel versus leisure was a favourite layer!) thank you for sharing such a fun peek into your world! <3
I didn’t expect it either—it’s really fun to follow these threads and see the surprising places they lead! (Also, that photo is one of my favorites, so thank you for calling it out 🥰)
I really appreciate knowing that you enjoyed this one!
This is fascinating! Such a cool concept. I always wanted to go on one of these ocean liners. Vacation slides are like an old-school Instagram.
Right?! I kind of want to bring back slide machines!
It's all fun and games until the lightbulb burns out
🤣
Last year I got myself a free Ancestry account to see how far back I can trace my family on my grandma's side. I got to the 1300s in France. I found that a lot of my family was in WWI and WWII.
Arianna, that is incredible! 🤯 It’s something I’ve considered doing too, but it always seemed like such a heavy lift. Hearing how far you’ve gotten in a year is incredibly motivating—wow!!
I badly want to go back in time and experience that kind of trip - the food, the clothes and dressing for dinner, the maids and butlers! Thank you for sharing your family's memories with us!
Yes, the dressing up for dinner especially! I so rarely do that, but it makes everything more special. ✨
Those menus! Gorgeous!! They would look incredible framed and hung. Family heirloom with an incredibly feel good story behind them. 😍
I instantly thought of An Affair To Remember when I started reading this. Everything felt/sounded so chic. What an amazing piece of family history to share with us. Thank you, Maddie. Can't wait for Part 2.
I’d originally meant to frame them but had forgotten about that intention…this is such a welcome nudge to make it happen! Thank you so much, Jenovia ❤️
It’s also a nudge to settle in with some popcorn and rewatch An Affair To Remember. It’s impossibly romantic 🥰
That was a lot of fun to read, and very well presented, too. Looking forward to Part 2.
That Masefield poem! -- I recognize the first line as I memorized that poem in the 5th grade, now a very long time ago.
Mark, I’m so happy to hear this—thank you! Doesn’t the first line of that poem give you chills?!
What a fascinating experience! I love that you captured these stories and this way of travel. I've never been on a cruise, but something about this particular type of voyage feels so special that I can't quite capture it into words. I wonder how a transatlantic cruise would feel today—if it could even come close or if it would offer something else equally remarkable.
Thank you so much, Marissa—and I agree, I’m curious about the exact same thing! Going on an Alaska cruise is still on my bucket list; it’s a different beast, but hopefully still a window into what this all must’ve been like.
Though for some reason, I can’t imagine anything these days being quite so elegant!
This was amazing, Maddie! I love the theme and the details. 🧡 I’ve always thought of doing this with my family, but haven’t made the time… yet.
Aliza, I’m touched to hear this—thank you! You’ve developed such great interview skills through Platonic Love that I know you’ll surface some really fascinating, meaningful stories whenever you sit down with your family.
This was my first time doing so…and now I’m not sure why I waited so long!
What a eureka find!! Those menus look so spectacular. Will you frame them?
Ooh, thank you for the nudge, Erin! What a perfect idea. That’s the next step, I think—now, to find the ideal wall placement!
Wow this was such a lovely and fascinating read… can’t wait for part 2!
Alex, I’m delighted to hear this! Thank you so much.
Thank you for the mention! Fascinating story...
And thank *you* for putting that thought-provoking piece out into the world…clearly, it’s stayed with me!