WORD OF THE DAY
un cap
pronounced: kahp
a cape; figuratively, a threshold or turning point
franchir un cap — to reach a milestone; to move into a new stage of life
UN…DEUX…TROIS… By Jacqueline Espinasse
If you went to kindergarten in France, chances are you played a game called Un, deux, trois, soleil !
All you need is a wall and a few friends. One child stands facing the wall while the others line up next to each other a few meters behind. The child at the wall calls out, “Un, deux, trois, soleil!” as the others race toward him. But the moment they hear “soleil!,” everyone has to freeze. Anyone caught moving is out. The game continues until one of the children finally reaches the wall and touches it.
How fun! I miss those days.
Now, let’s play this game together. When I say “One, two, three,” you say “Soleil!” Really, do it! Say it out loud. It’ll be fun.
Ready? “One…two…three…”
I’m engaged!
Not quite the soleil you were expecting, was it?
Vinny proposed on a Saturday afternoon on Cape Cod, Massachusetts. At the top of a dune, his cousin Matthew was photographing us, pretending to try out his new camera.
As we walked down the dune toward the beach, Vinny followed a few steps behind me. That’s when everything clicked. I knew, and I was terrified.
Walking down that long slope of sand, I was already missing the young girl I used to be. In those very last minutes, I owed her a little more time. So I stopped to fix my shoe, then goofed around in the sand. When I ran out of creative ways to stall, I finally stood still.
As I locked eyes with Vinny, a year and a half of love, tenderness, and complicité flashed before me. My heart swelled as the words tumbled out. “No way!” Vin looked even more nervous now! “Mais oui! Yes! Yes!”
Cheers erupted from behind the dune as Vinny’s family appeared. I sat down on the piece of driftwood and, just like that, became Madame.
FRENCH VOCABULARY
un cap = a cape; figuratively, a threshold or turning point
Un, deux, trois, soleil ! = the French equivalent of “Red Light, Green Light”
le soleil = the sun
la complicité = a close connection, shared understanding
mais oui ! = of course! Yes, absolutely!
Madame = Mrs.; a respectful title for a woman
franchir un cap = to reach a milestone; to move into a new stage of life
REMERCIEMENTS
Heartfelt thanks to these readers for supporting our journal with their donations!
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Merci beaucoup.
TEACHERS, TUTORS & FRENCH LEARNERS
“I started reading this blog 20 years ago in French class for extra credit – and have stuck around to keep learning!”
— Kaitlin, reader comment, September 2026
Sometimes a new word sticks because you remember the story that came with it. I wish I’d had these little glimpses of everyday French life when I was in school!
If you teach French, please share French Word-A-Day with your students. A post could become a short extra-credit assignment:
- Read the story and choose three French words or expressions.
- Listen to the recording and practice saying them.
- Try one in a sentence of your own.
Learning independently or with a French club? Share a favorite post with a friend and compare the words you’ve picked up.
Thank you for helping these stories find their way to another curious learner. Bonne lecture !
Every happiness to you, Jackie and Vinny! May God bless your love and guide your steps on this beautiful journey together.
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Congratulations to both of you dear Jackie and Vin what a beautiful setting / CC is one of my favorite places and close by ! Best to you both ! A bientot! Celebrate ! ~ Lisa
FELICITATIONS!!! I just love “the closest he could get Jackie to France” – and the pic of Veuve straight from the bottle speaks right to my heart! You found a good one ;D and so did he. Thank you for sharing these important, precious and fleeting moments with your readers!!
How wonderful. This is lovely ‘big news.’ Congratulations.
Félicitations et meilleurs vœux pour un mariage et un avenir plein de joie et de bonne santé,
C’est parfait!
Félicitations au couple, et aux les deux familles!
Congratulations to the couple! So happy for all of you! Wow! What a beautiful engagement!
Congrats Jackie and Vinny!
Congratulations et felicitations, Jackie!! Wishing you both much love and happiness for many years to come!! Time goes by so fast, I remember meeting you in France with our daughter Lily when you were both teenagers, and now you’re engaged, and she is having a baby in a few weeks! Enjoy every moment, carpe diem!!!
So exciting!!! Congratulations! What wonderful news! 💕💕
Congratulations Jackie and Vinnie ! May you enjoy many years of happiness together.
What a happy post!! Felicitations!
Tres Bien! Ce Magnifique! Congratulations to you and Vinny and both families! So looking forward to hearing more as you begin to plan your wedding and future together. I’m sure your mom and dad wished they could have been there for this momentous occasion!💝
Congrats to all the parents! Congratulations to Jackie and Vinny and may they continue to have a wonderful life together!
Congratulations!! May your marriage be a very happy one!
Félicitations et meilleurs vœux pour Jackie et Vinny!
Quel bonheur! Félicitations!
Congratulations!!! What a sweet surprise. God Bless your lives and your marriage in countless ways. 🍾
Jackie … I actually have tears in my eyes. Congrats!
Lovely … and his family is so obviously happy too. I can only imagine how your Mom feels.
its almost like you are living your Moms life in REVERSE!
your Mom falls in live with a frenchman and moves to France.You fall in love with an American and move to The States.
isn’t life funny?
Mary Liz
Felicitations! That is super happy news for Jackie!
Felicitations Jackie! Je vous souhaite une vie merveilleuse ensemble!
Now she can become a US citizen? And her US mom is French. Exceptionale.
Congratulations to a beautiful couple.
TELLEMENT RAVI💍 to hear this news as your love for each other has progressed to planning your life together 🩷💙enjoy every minute 🩷💙 of preparation for this most joyous time in your lives🩷💙💍
Lovingly,
Elaine Moulden
Felicitations ! Wishing you both much happiness!
What a wonderful proposal and so very romantic! Congratulations to both of you and much happiness on your journey together.
Felicitations! May you have many happy years together
Cheers Janine.
What a sweet, tender proposal! Sending Joy & love to the newly engaged couple. I look forward to the next chapter!
Share
So, heartwarming, and I love the dual meaning of cape- it works right into the novel I’m writing. Félicitations!
Our dear Jackie and Vinny,
Sharing your happiness!
CONGRATULATIONS! Wishing you every blessing and joy for your lifetime together!
Arms around you tight.
Love
Natalia and family
Congratulations! How sweet that he thought to get you as close to France as possible.
Congratulations! How sweet that he thought to get you as close as possible to France.
Felicitation a deux!
Felicitations! Have so enjoyed following your romance. You found your love in the US and your mother found hers in France. Having first met you at Domaine Rouge Bleu when you were riding your pink bicycle to sharing in your happiness, is a wonderful experience. To you and Vin.
Sincere congratulations and best wishes, Jackie and Vinny! Thank you for sharing your beautiful and touching engagement ceremony.
Felicitations a tout le deux et a vos familles 💗🍾
Felicitations! Meilleur voeux! from Joan in Kankakee, Illinois
Ohhhh baby girl is getting married! Where did all the years go. I’ve been a sideline reader and carer of the whole family for 20+ years and I feel like a relative after all this time. I’m so happy for you Kristy 💗 so much luv
Félicitations à tous! J’ai suivi tes belles histoires depuis le début. No way your baby is engaged !!! I have a huge smile. Quelle joie.
Congratulations Jackie & Vinny!
Congratulations Jackie and Vinny! I’ve been reading French Word forever and have even hosted your dad, and aunt and uncle in my apartrment in NY (20 years ago) and stayed with your family in France. I remember stories of Jackie as a little girl et voilà! Now you’re “Madame” – I guess an engaged woman is Madame. I always thought it was a title for a married woman. I’ve learned something new today. Wishing you a long and happy life together for of love, joy and peace.
Ruth
Wow! What a milestone. I’ve been a reader of your blog since I first found it in the early 2000’s and have watched your family change and grow. So happy for all of you