New Year’s Eve at The French Room

Somehow I never saw Texas in my future when I met James in small town Kentucky.
I knew Texas by reputation only: the frontier home of romantic cowboys, pickup trucks, chili cook-offs, and oil derricks. In our first three years of marriage, Dallas was our third move. We’d launched our careers in New Orleans, then on to Washington, DC. But when new opportunities presented themselves, we jumped at relocating to the Lone Star State.

We embraced all that Texas had to offer. From barbecue to bull riding – we tried it all. As they said in the day, we were D.I.N.K.S. Dual Income, No Kids. We’d just bought our first house in a close-to-downtown, fringe neighborhood. We reassured ourselves of our savvy purchase (read: all we could afford) by saying, “It’s Got Potential!” Our street was filled with old-timers and transplants of all persuasions. It wasn’t unusual to come home and find the neighbor’s chickens in our back yard, or the local painter lounging on our front porch with a bottle of Mad Dog 20/20. Sociologists referred to us as “Young Urban Pioneers.”

One thing they know how to do in Texas is celebrate, and we loved it. That’s how we found ourselves on New Year’s Eve (aka Terri’s birthday) in downtown Dallas having drinks with James’ Geophysicist buddies – always a lively bunch of young Texas Oil Hunters. And my favorite member of the gang was a more seasoned scientist, 30 years my senior, who could hold his own in any crowd – Eckley Snow.

Eckley was a charming guy – all the women loved him, and the guys wanted to tell stories half as good as his. Imagine West Texas swagger meets continental suave. Physically he was a cross between Winston Churchill and Santa Claus – without the girth or beard. There always seemed to be a mischievous twinkle in his eye and a smirk that said, “You’ll never know!” And he loved his Mama.

On the surface Eckley was a humble, self-deprecating fellow, but that was just the tip of the iceberg. He was a man of the world: Pearl Harbor survivor and Purple Heart recipient who went on to become a geophysicist. He worked all over the globe – when travel was hard work. Journeying to Bangladesh, India, Iran, Libya, Saudi Arabia, and Australia, he searched for oil.

Back at the bar, we finished our drinks and everyone was heading off to their own New Year’s Eve plans. Eckley took us aside and said, “How would you like to join me for dinner at The French Room? My Treat. It is your birthday.” I’m embarrassed to admit that I didn’t even know what The French Room was, but as a life-long Francophile I knew I was in!

It turned out that The French Room at the Adolphus Hotel, built in 1912, was (and still is) one of the fanciest, most expensive restaurants in Dallas – way above our pay grade.

As we entered we were gobsmacked by the old-world elegance of the place. Soaring ceilings, gilded furniture, lovely table settings, and scintillating aromas. Throughout the meal the amazing chef and attentive staff created an evening to remember. I was just in my 20s and experienced a lot of lifetime “firsts:”

• First time eating French Food (although I had dreamed of it ever since taking 9th Grade French Lessons.)
• First time a waiter had ever draped a starched white napkin across my lap.
• First time I saw sole filleted with a spoon.
• First time I ever tasted a vegetable terrine. Who knew you could do something so elegant with the simple green bean.

I have no memory of what anyone else ate, but my meal was sublime. Sole meunière avec terrine de haricots verts, followed by mousse au chocolat. At the stroke of midnight, we welcomed the new year with champagne.

The whole experience was like a scene from Babette’s Feast. The phrase Gypsies in the Palace comes to mind.

* * * * * 

One of our longtime followers recently contacted James, and after some polite conversation, gently asked, “Is Terri still with us?” We haven’t stopped laughing about that one. So in answer to the question, Yes! We are both very much alive and well – laughing and loving life more than ever.

Just like all of you, our year has been complicated – filled with celebratory highs and sorrowful lows. And every year when December 31st rolls around we always have a fabulous time. But I have never had a birthday as memorable as that New Year’s Eve at The French Room.

In this season of gratitude … Thank You, Eckley for an enduring life memory.

And a big Thank You to each and every one of you out there for your enduring support and encouragement.

Wishing All of You a Very Happy New Year,

Terri & James

Photo Credits: 2. Dfwcre8tive