Children love French Husband wherever we go. They follow him, tag along, invite him to play, grab his hand....
It is endearing to watch.
This little girl in a countryside village by Yangshuo was not an exception.
She literally left her mother's side to follow him, and when he turned around she giggled.
When French Husband bent down, the little girl turned shy.
As usual, French Husband did not speak in normal words but a session of sounds, like a make-believe animal or something.
She did not run away from the Pied Piper.
Earlier in the day in the village of Yangshuo, we bought a flower wreath on the main street, where many older women sold them. No two were alike as they are handmade mostly from wildflowers.
They cost twenty cents.
I untied the flower wreath from our backpack so that Yann could offer it to her.
She was so shy she refused to look at him. It was as if she blushed.
So sweet.
Time, language, age... it didn't matter.
Sweet affection is contagious.
Friendship in a moment bloomed.
Thats so beautiful Corey. Your husband seem like such a gentle man. I think children have a natural sense of who is good or bad. It is clear that Yann is a good man!
Posted by: Gina | 27 March 2011 at 08:45 AM
Simply beautiful.
Posted by: Laura | 27 March 2011 at 09:04 AM
Lovely story for Sunday. The third photo from the top is great - the little girl looking at Yann, cautious but curious.
Posted by: Zosia | 27 March 2011 at 09:15 AM
That was so magical. Funny how some people have that ability to wrap others in goodness, trust and love. It's a remarkable gift...for all!!
Posted by: Christine | 27 March 2011 at 11:48 AM
Children always know.
Very sweet!
Posted by: Jean | 27 March 2011 at 12:04 PM
LOL, how could she resist, after all we've all fallen in love haven't we?
Posted by: Jenna | 27 March 2011 at 12:14 PM
Thank you for this beautiful post. It is said that children, being pure souls, recognise and are immediately attracted to other pure souls. They are in fact amazing judge of characters.
Posted by: Jan | 27 March 2011 at 12:58 PM
I love the story and the photographs. It's easy to see why you left the closeness of your family life in the US to build one in France with Yann.
Moving for love is a leap that I have found to be fairly easy especially since my Brit husband and I have no language barriers. We do have some funny things happen sometimes though ... like last night when I called him a social butterfly and what he heard was selfish old bugger.
So even with both of us speaking English, there's still room for funny bits of confusing conversation. For the record, please know that I have never called him a selfish old anything. :-)
Posted by: giftsofthejourney (Elizabeth Harper) | 27 March 2011 at 01:22 PM
Magical!
Posted by: jackie | 27 March 2011 at 01:34 PM
Lovely!
Posted by: Bev | 27 March 2011 at 01:45 PM
Lovely post and pictures,maybe FH is a childwhisperer???
Posted by: Kathleen | 27 March 2011 at 02:19 PM
Am loving your pictures! Will you be going to the Yangshuo Mountain Retreat Hotel on the Dragon River? I've read great things about the the hotel and the area where it is located.
Posted by: Cheryl ~ Casual Cottage Chic | 27 March 2011 at 03:27 PM
Those are the sweetest photos ever! What a beautiful child.
Yann, followed by children where ever he goes????...
You two are the perfect pair!!!
Posted by: Sheala | 27 March 2011 at 03:36 PM
What a precious child, of course she followed FH, he is gentle and soft spoken, I bet.
What a wonderful post, it touched my heart.
Posted by: Rhonda P. | 27 March 2011 at 04:24 PM
These are the things that make traveling so special, the connections with people and especially one little girl now wearing a beautiful flower wreath. What a treat to meet this precious soul.
Posted by: Marilyn | 27 March 2011 at 04:34 PM
Precious!! I am so enjoying your posts from China!
Posted by: JudyO | 27 March 2011 at 04:44 PM
We all need to be more of a child! The wreath---a breath of spring on a snowy day.
Posted by: Cindy | 27 March 2011 at 05:17 PM
That is so sweet. No wonder you love him so.
Posted by: Kimberly C. | 27 March 2011 at 05:21 PM
No wonder you held onto that man. Kids can tell when people are real.
Posted by: Paulita | 27 March 2011 at 06:01 PM
Just lovely. thanks so much for sharing your trip with us. E
Posted by: ellen cassilly | 27 March 2011 at 06:59 PM
How beautiful and lovely indeed
Love you
Jeanne
Posted by: Jeanne | 27 March 2011 at 07:21 PM
all the chicks dig Yann
Posted by: cynthia Wolff | 27 March 2011 at 07:44 PM
What a sweet, sweet picture...such a darling child...children seem to know whom they can trust...Yann must be that person...your children are so fortunate to have such great parents...you two are kindred souls.
Posted by: Brenda L from TN | 27 March 2011 at 08:32 PM
A Sunday blessing is your post.
Posted by: Sharon Penney-Morrison | 27 March 2011 at 08:39 PM
A lovely post that captures the joy of travel. You never know what moment lies just around the corner. I'd guess this child will remember your gift of self and flowers for a time to come.
Posted by: momof5 | 27 March 2011 at 08:57 PM
Who isn't attracted to your FH?
Posted by: christine | 27 March 2011 at 09:59 PM
That was a priceless experience (for both of them, I'm sure) and a lovely story. Thank you.
Posted by: gloria p | 27 March 2011 at 10:33 PM
Oh how sweet! It just shows people are more alike than different anywhere in the world you go.
Posted by: Carolyn | 27 March 2011 at 10:49 PM
Absolutely gorgeous Cory
now we know why you followed him to France.....lol
Posted by: Patricia | 28 March 2011 at 12:45 AM
So adorable, Corey. Children must instinctively know that they are entirely safe with Jann.
Posted by: annie | 28 March 2011 at 12:49 AM
What a gorgeous child...the flower wreath looks spectacular with her beautiful face! Yann looks pretty good too!
Wonder how your leg is coming along now as you travel?
Cheers
Posted by: Jennie@clusternavigators.com | 28 March 2011 at 01:09 AM
You and Yann spread joy and friendship and love wherever you go!
Posted by: AmyKortuem | 28 March 2011 at 01:45 AM
Lovely--children recognize the true nature of people, don't they? What charming images of these two.
Posted by: sue | 28 March 2011 at 01:54 AM
I hope you don't mind, but Yann is my hero! Kindness can never be overrated....
Posted by: Vickie | 28 March 2011 at 02:04 AM
How absolutely beautiful/sweet! I love this piece.
Posted by: Account Deleted | 28 March 2011 at 03:07 AM
So far to date your "Bathtub" post has been my favorite, I didn't think you could be it but you just did.
What sweet innocence, thank you!
Posted by: Tamra/The Gilded Barn | 28 March 2011 at 03:07 AM
Hope you plan on running into "your" girl soon, I'm sure papa can't wait to dote on her too.
Posted by: Jenna | 28 March 2011 at 03:18 AM
D'awwwwwwwwww!
Posted by: Shelley Noble | 28 March 2011 at 04:40 AM
This post makes my heart bubble up and burst into a thousand pieces.
Posted by: naomi | 28 March 2011 at 05:35 AM
What a sweet story, and a darling little girl.
Posted by: Natalie Thiele | 28 March 2011 at 05:43 AM
What a sweet experience that was. I'm sure it will be one you'll always remember. I love the pictures! Her little face tell the story. Thanks for telling us.
Posted by: Jane Ann | 28 March 2011 at 07:03 AM
So sweet! :)
Posted by: Alexis | 28 March 2011 at 07:29 AM
Adorable and yes, children always know who to trust. Thank you again for sharing such a touching glimpse of your day in China.
Posted by: Sara Tofanelli-Barroso | 28 March 2011 at 08:19 AM
awwww how cute!
Posted by: Kelly | 28 March 2011 at 01:45 PM
PRICELESS!
xoxoxox
Posted by: Ulla | 28 March 2011 at 05:32 PM
How sweet. Small children love my husband, too ... which is a helpful reminder of why I fell in love with him, on the days I'm having trouble remembering!
Posted by: Stubblejumpin' Gal | 28 March 2011 at 06:15 PM
So touching, so beautiful!
Posted by: Jennifer in SF | 28 March 2011 at 06:19 PM
Lovely.
Posted by: Tamara | 28 March 2011 at 06:38 PM
How sweet , I've got one like that too!....brings such a thankful smile to my face. Children know who to trust and who not to many times.
Posted by: Brenda, Kindred Hearts Antiques | 28 March 2011 at 10:31 PM
AGAIN : Lovely post !
I bet children would walk and run to you too... were you there without your camera ... It might be intimidating for most of them ! (even if attractive for others)
Posted by: Marie-Noëlle | 29 March 2011 at 10:05 AM