An anniversary trip back to Europe

Christine Carrillo

After 45 years of marriage, Vickie and Bing Girling of Balboa

Island, celebrated their wedding anniversary in October in one of the

most romantic cities in the world -- Paris.

Starting the trip off with a courtesy upgrade to first class on

their 11-hour flight from Los Angeles thanks to their wedding bliss,

the Girlings headed to Paris to begin their re-acquainting visit

through Europe, where they lived for nearly three years about 35

years ago.

Traveling from Paris to a stop off in Normandy and then a finale

in London, the 25-year residents of Balboa worked in traditional

tourism trips and family visits to enhance their journey, of which

the most powerful was their two-day stint in Normandy.

“I’ve been kind of a military history buff,” said Bing, who was in

the military for 26 years. “I’ve always been awestruck by what

conflict has done and has not done to our country and other countries

... and I was absolutely taken aback realizing what humans had done

to achieve a goal.”

Visiting cemeteries of French, American and German soldiers, the

Girlings had added to their romantic journey a touching trip through

history.

“It’s very moving,” Vickie said. “There are so many young kids and

so many left unknown, that’s what struck me. It was good for both of

us ... there’s just an appreciation for all the men that died for our

cause.”

While their visits to the military cemeteries and monuments moved

them both deeply, it also acted as a catalyst that brought them

closer together.

“I just have an overwhelming appreciation for what those people

did ... it was a very moving experience,” Bing said. “I think what I

got from it was the sense of appreciation for what they did that gave

me the chance to live my life with wife and my family.”

Following their emotional visit to Normandy, the couple spent

seven days touring London and visiting places they used to go.

“We love Paris but London is our favorite city because we lived

there for three years,” Vickie said. “Our son traced [Bing’s] family

back to the 1300s ... just visiting them was very special.”

Visiting family and historical sites gave the Girlings plenty of

memories but, for both of them, the most significant part of the trip

was just being together.

“I thoroughly enjoyed it and I was with my best friend,” Bing

said. “The highlight of my trip was just reliving the 45 years of my

life with my wife.”

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