A Friendship That Stands the Test of Time

I recently enjoyed a wonderful lunch with my dear friend Nathalie, who was visiting Montreal from New York for a family wedding. We finally secured a table at the iconic restaurant L’Express, a beloved Montreal institution renowned for its classic French cuisine and enduring atmosphere of elegance and tradition.

Nathalie and I first met in 1987 while working at the advertising agency BCP. Two years later, she moved to New York, and I soon followed to pursue a career at the United Nations. Over the past four decades, our friendship has grown stronger through life's many joys and challenges. As cancer survivors, we have both emerged from difficult experiences with greater resilience and gratitude.

During lunch, Nathalie, now a successful psychotherapist, shared her reflections on the contrast between Montreal and New York. She described New York as a city that stimulates the senses with its energy, diversity, and constant movement. By contrast, Montreal carries a quieter rhythm, influenced by its lengthy winters, humid summers, and distinctly European appreciation for leisure and reflection. For those accustomed to New York's vibrant intensity, this slower pace can occasionally feel heavy or introspective.. Though vastly different in character, both cities have profoundly shaped our lives.

Today, Nathalie divides her time between New York and Palm Beach, while I enjoy life in the charming village of Hudson. Although distance separates us, our friendship remains as strong as ever. Together with our longtime friends Louise, Anthony, and Chris, we continue the Zoom gatherings that began during the pandemic, proving that true friendship endures regardless of time, distance, or life's many changes.

With Nathalie at Restaurant L'Express in Montreal - 30 May 2026

The famous signature dessert at Restaurant L'Express: A floating island or île flottante, a dessert consisting of soft meringue floating on crème anglaise.

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