Before we knew it, our Las Vegas adventure was ending. We were scheduled to fly home later that day, leaving us little time to kill between checking out of the hotel and heading to the airport.
And since we were in Las Vegas, Bruce decided to hit the tables at Paris one last time.
He’d been pleased with how he’d done throughout the trip and wanted to see if his luck would hold out a little longer. Personally, I’m not much of a gambler. I work hard for my money and spend it very consciously, so I struggle to wrap my head around losing it. I’ve always preferred a sure thing. I’m not a risk-taker unless I’ve calculated every possible outcome and feel reasonably confident about the results.
Bruce, on the other hand, loves strategy and numbers. He’s a biochemist, so maybe there’s a connection. In his mind, he’s already run the numbers and knows when to walk away. Or maybe it’s because of his college football days; he plays to win. Whatever it is, it seems to be a winning combination for him.
He seemed to have the best luck at the Paris casino, so I settled in with a French 75 while he played. I remember feeling a little like a mob wife.
Every so often, he’d call me over and hand me a little pile of chips to hold.
My personal stash was growing rather quickly. I assumed that was a good thing, though I couldn’t tell you exactly how good. I was happy to leave the strategy and statistics to him.
Then I saw Bruce walking across the room toward me with the biggest grin on his face.
We cashed out, and he handed me a wad of money. I’d never held that much cash before. And honestly, that isn’t saying much. Give me a hundred dollars in crisp dollar bills, and I’ll feel like a millionaire!
I was still trying to figure out exactly what had happened when we started walking back toward the hotel lobby. I assumed we’d collect our luggage and head to the airport.
Not so fast.
Bruce told me to go into a bathroom stall and count the money. It felt so scandalous! Apparently, the little piles of chips he’d been handing me had added up to something worth counting.
When I came back with the grand total, he told me that the money was mine to buy a Louis Vuitton purse. He’d actually been planning to buy me one during the entire trip.
I was stunned.
We’d both admired one particular bag, and we’d stopped to look at it nearly every day. We’d also visited other stores and looked at plenty of beautiful bags, but we kept coming back to that one.
Of course, I said no immediately. Then I said all the things people say when someone offers them an extravagant gift. It was far too generous, and I couldn’t imagine accepting it.
I appreciated the offer more than I could explain, but on a single income, a Louis Vuitton bag isn’t exactly something I can casually add to my shopping list. It’s one of those things I can admire, appreciate, and then put right back where I found it!
Bruce, however, wasn’t having any of my objections.
Instead of heading toward the luggage area, he walked straight into Louis Vuitton and asked the sales associate to package up the bag we’d been visiting every day.
And just like that, my last morning in Las Vegas became a shopping experience I will never forget.
I didn’t choose the most expensive bag in the store. I chose the one I knew I’d use the most—the one that suited my style and would fit into my everyday life.
I fell in love with the Sunset bag the first time I saw it. I liked that it was different from so many of the bags I’d seen. It wasn’t overly structured or too large. I could picture myself wearing it cross-body while traveling or carrying it over my shoulder when going out to dinner.
My goal was to choose something beautiful that I’d actually use, rather than something that would spend most of its life sitting in my closet.
And here’s a little tip if you’re considering a luxury handbag: some brands can repair or refurbish bags when they start to show wear. I have a friend whose bag looked beyond saving, yet it came back looking beautiful. It’s worth checking the repair options for the particular bag you’re considering.
We also fell in love with a Dior bag. It was covered in beaded birds and cost considerably more. Interestingly, that one never made it into Bruce’s generous proposal! I guess even in Las Vegas, there are limits.
During that trip, I began to realize just how much we have in common when it comes to appreciating beautiful things.
As I walked out of Louis Vuitton with that unmistakable orange shopping bag, I felt like I was floating. I don’t think I’d ever owned anything I loved quite so much.
And it wasn’t just the bag.
I knew it would always remind me of that trip, the excitement of exploring Las Vegas together, and Bruce’s tremendous generosity. Every time I carry it, I’ll remember the way he surprised me and how determined he was to give me something I’d been admiring.
Of course, Bruce brushed off my gratitude by reminding me that it was “free” money.
Well, when you put it that way…..
Apparently, gambling winnings operate under an entirely different set of rules. I’m not sure the financial experts would agree with our accounting methods, but I’m willing to entertain the theory. Perhaps this is what they mean by girl math.
Since we still had time before our flight, we also bought tickets to see the Blue Man Group. I was especially excited about this because I’d taught about the group and the performing arts in my classroom. Experiencing something I’d discussed with my students was a fun way to end our trip.
And just like that, our Las Vegas adventure was coming to a close.
We dropped off the hideous rental car (goodbye, Boot!) and saw a rainbow. I can’t explain the peace that washed over me, but in that moment, I felt God gently remind me that, despite everything life had thrown my way, things would be okay. Maybe I didn’t need all the answers or to know exactly what the future held. Maybe I just needed to trust Him and believe beautiful things were still waiting for me.
Looking back, it’s funny how different the ending was from the beginning. I arrived with a head full of worries, a tendency to expect the worst, and enough anxiety to convince myself that simply being in Las Vegas was somehow a questionable life choice.
Over the next few days, I discovered beautiful art, spectacular shows, unexpected little treasures, and experiences I never would have imagined. I also discovered that I could enjoy a city that initially overwhelmed me, laugh at myself when things didn’t go as planned, and let someone else take the lead once in a while.
I even survived a helicopter ride. That alone deserves some recognition!
But what I’ll remember most isn’t the fancy hotel, the restaurants, the shows, or even the orange shopping bag.
I’ll remember Bruce bringing me coffee in the mornings, laughing over our questionable adventures, and having conversations that went beyond the usual vacation chatter. I’ll remember the generosity, the thoughtfulness, and the joy of sharing new experiences with someone.
The bag is a beautiful reminder of all of that, but the memories are the real gift.
I’m grateful I took the trip. I’m grateful I allowed myself to experience something new, even when I was nervous. And I’m grateful for the reminder that life can surprise us in the loveliest ways when we stop trying to control every little detail.
Sometimes, we have to step outside our comfort zones to discover what we’ve been missing. Sometimes, the best memories come from the things we never planned. And sometimes, if we’re very lucky, we come home with a beautiful handbag and a story worth telling.
Las Vegas, you certainly kept me on my toes.
And Bruce? Thank you for the adventure, the memories, your patience, and the orange shopping bag.
Until the next adventure!
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