Life & Friendship: Celebrating Louise’s 80th Birthday
It was a short and rainy weekend in New York, but the occasion was very special: our Life & Friendship group had reunited to celebrate Louise’s 80th birthday.
After a long bus journey from Montreal, Anthony welcomed me at the station and accompanied me to Nathalie’s apartment. The trip had taken an unexpected turn at the American border when our driver was arrested. We waited more than two hours for a replacement until a very kind border officer helped us board another bus to Albany. To make sure I could continue to New York, I had to purchase a second ticket. Instead of arriving at 5:30 p.m., I finally reached the city at 9:30. After nearly 12 hours on the road, I felt as though I had travelled all the way to China!
My gracious hostess, Nathalie, had prepared delicious hors d’oeuvres and, most importantly after such a journey, a welcome glass of wine. We were so happy to see one another and had so much to talk about that we did not go to bed until three in the morning.
Although the following days were grey and rainy, they were filled with laughter, wonderful food and wine. Our Life & Friendship gatherings began in 2010, when I was living in New York and working at the United Nations. Over the years, they have become a cherished tradition.
Nathalie’s new home is a charming studio on Fifth Avenue, in a building worthy of an architectural magazine. She has decorated her new space with such elegance and taste, perfectly reflecting her gracious personality. Her lovely companion, Princess Willow, adds even more warmth and charm to her beautiful home.
On Saturday afternoon, Anthony welcomed us into his studio and prepared an extraordinary Lebanese feast—better than anything we could have ordered from a restaurant. Born in Australia and proud of his Lebanese heritage, Anthony understands the care and preparation required to create authentic Lebanese dishes. Although his apartment is small, we gathered comfortably in a space overflowing with joy and laughter. Our feast began at one o’clock and continued until nearly eight that evening—the perfect way to spend a rainy day together.
The following day, we met at Ribalta, our favourite pizza restaurant. Known for its delicious Neapolitan pizza, Ribalta was ranked No. 35 among the 50 Top Pizza World restaurants in 2026. One of our favourites is the Nobile, a wonderful truffle pizza. Ribalta has been part of our Life & Friendship gatherings for many years and holds countless memories for us.
As we reminisced about Anthony’s Lebanese feast, we encouraged him to consider opening a catering business. He is now facing an important turning point in his life in New York, and although we hope he will remain close to us, he may decide to return to Australia. Only time will tell. From my own experience, however, once you have been a New Yorker, the city is not easily forgotten. It leaves a lasting impression and a feeling that you will always belong, in some way, to the city that never sleeps.
At the heart of this memorable weekend was Louise’s 80th birthday—a beautiful milestone and a precious reason to reunite. Celebrating her life reminded us of how fortunate we are to have shared so many years of friendship.
I returned home with my heart filled with gratitude. Our friendship has grown stronger through the years, carrying us through life’s many changes. Once again, I was able to gather precious memories that remind me how fortunate we are to have one another.
As we grow older, friendship becomes even more meaningful. We treasure the time we share, appreciate one another more deeply and understand that true friendship is one of life’s greatest gifts.
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