View across the Alsace
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Heading back. The only non alcoholic option is aplle juice and water. But that’s ok. Will not drink today.
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Beautiful pictures!! Thanks for sharing them. Glad you are doing okay and checking in. Walks sound and look amazing!!
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Water for hydration and apple juice if you need a prop in a fancy glass. You’ve got this. Great job stepping away.
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That’s an awesome way to spend some time!! Way to go!
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I love that you are doing this!
My son is getting married in a month, so I’m getting ready for the multiple days of extended family and all their drinking.
I see you are doing great so far. Inspiring!!
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The solo hike was a great idea, the area looks beautiful so far 
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Proud of you for setting this up! And taking your walks and breaks. Beautiful photos, thank you!
We are there with you in your phone and in spirit, and we know your strength.
Like a good Canadian, I went to french school when I was young. If I was there with you?
“Mon ami et moi? Pas de vin pour nous. Un perrier ou bien un jus de pomme s’il vous plait.” 
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@Pandita I hope you have a wonderful feeling about how you can maintain your sobriety and in doing so you may be one of the only people there not drinking! Yay! Yay you for ‘being there’ for the special moments.
I wrote this thinking that you were heading back to your home land and I think you were just heading back to the festivities.
As you know, France and it’s peoples are a beautiful country, all the more so to experience sober and not under the influence…
I am proud of you. I’m glad that you set this up ahead of time to help protect yourself and have it in your pocket in your time of need if needed.
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The sun just came up over the mountains and I am enjoying my sober morning coffee. So so happy to be up early, getting mentally (and physically in a moment 
) ready for my friends big day. It’s going to be one big wonderful celebration of life and alcohol really isn’t needed for it. Apple juice is enough 
.
Thank you for being here with me everyone, feels great to not be doing this alone.
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Haha, yes. You are right, big celebrations are not so bad when there are teens around. Learning lots about what is in style myself by hanging out with teenagers more than usual. Really enjoying what I think of as French dining… Everyone at one long table, passing salads and baguettes around.
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This thread is an inspiration 
Sounds like an amazing celebration. That image of a long table of people passing food - perfection. Enjoy the big date today and please keep the updates coming X
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Yes !
Teenagers are like raw free spirits, and a good way to still be in the game 
You’re right about those dinings. Sometimes it goes from 1 to 6pm, and again from 9 till everyone pass out. I mean, during great meetings like yours. And yes we DO eat baguette at every meal 
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Are you in the Vosges? Love it. Enjoy. Missing it 
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Good morning!
Thank you for the Saturday morning sober greeting and sharing your excitement about this special day.
Early morning is my favorite time of day. How special that you are ready to enjoy it with a clear mind and healthy body. I hope you celebrate a bit of you today as well!
Thank you again for sharing. It is inspiring to me!
Enjoy your wonderful day!
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There is not much better than that feeling of waking up free from the crush of shame and anxiety. Plus…France and French dining!! So glad you are enjoying yourself. 
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Hope the wedding is going well and that you’re dancing your socks off!?! Looking forward to seeing some more pictures. 
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Having a great time, sticking to tab water fo now. But it’s ok. People’s drinking is moderate so far. Dancing will start in a moment I think. But first, I am going to have to find my counterpart among the other guests 
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You are doing an amazing job. Such a great thing for yourself and your friend too, as you are so present for them! The first time I went to EU was with my husband for his brothers wedding, and everyone spoke the language but I didnt and I remember after 24 hours of travelling being like WHOOOOOOAAAAA. at a big long table, food being passed around. You are doing something beautiful, different, and best part is you have done it all sober. Thank you for beinf an inspiration 
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Grateful to be on my way home now with two baguettes and some cheese in my backpack 
.
Returning full of love and joy and very special memories. They will not disappear in a blur, like so many other memories of weddings, funerals and birthdays before. It was fun to see the end of the dance completely sober. Had a final good laugh with my friend about the state of the groom and best men at the end of the night. In a kind way. I am glad they had a great time and enjoyed themselves. There was no envy on my side. It was a perfect wedding.
It felt great to be among old friends and make some new ones. At first I thought it would be hard, not being able to drink away the social anxiety. And it was at times. But I realized, the moment of social awkwardness is there anyway. with or without drink, but it passes. It’s similar to sitting through a craving. You acknowledge it, and then move on. I read somewhere here I think, that when you want to do things and you are scared, that’s totally ok. You just do the things anyway being scared. It takes you to new places. Simple but true. I am glad I didn’t get discouraged but I tried again.
Thank you for being here for me everyone. That made it easy to stick to the plan 
, knowing you had my back. Sorry I haven’t posted many pictures. I took mostly pics of people (Children and people I don’t really know that well) and wouldn’t feel comfortable uploading them without their consent. I hope you understand.
But here is still one from the first day, when we walked into town. It’s a lost place, I think. Can’t really read the letters anymore, but maybe something like a hospital?
Be well, everyone
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