Felice ShapiroI met Vivian by chance while travelling throughout Turkey. My husband and I were hanging out poolside in Bodrum when I spotted this 20-something American with gorgeous almond skin. I have to admit I was ogling her a bit (not in a stalking way) due to her gorgeous unlined beauty. She was slathering on Kiehl’s Super Fluid (UV Sunscreen) while I was knee deep in La Roche-Posay – Athelios 60 (a French product that I got at CVS ). Before plunging into conversation with her, I’m seriously thinking: If I switch brands, maybe I’d have a shot at eternal youth?
Felice: “So, Vivian, are you traveling alone?”
Vivian: “No I was with my mom for the first part of the trip but she had to go back to the States a few days ago”
Felice: “Wait — Stop – You were traveling with your mom? Tell me about that.”
Vivian: “It was my mother’s day gift to my mom.”
Felice: “You gifted your mom a trip to Turkey? Wow! How did you come up with that idea?”
Vivian: “Why not? She never hesitated to give me anything in my life – why shouldn’t I do the same for her?”
Felice: “So, how did it come about?”
Vivian: “She wanted me to come home for Memorial Day but I really wanted to go on a vacation. I only had four days off work. My Mom was disappointed I didn’t want to go home to St. Louis. So I decided to surprise her and take her to Turkey with me – I had always wanted to go there.
First, I called her to see if she could take some days off – and then I hung up the phone – she probably thought we were going to go to Chicago –
I called her back after I bought the tickets and told her we are going to Turkey together.
She was SHOCKED. ‘No you didn’t!’ she said with disbelief in her voice but I could tell she was beyond thrilled. She said she’d pay for the ticket, the hotel but I was ‘No need, Mom. I already bought everything.’
She told everyone in her office – her friends were bragging how their daughters were buying them flowers but my mom set a new standard with ‘My daughter bought me a mother/daughter trip to Turkey.’
Felice: “So how did you guys do together?”
Vivian: “We hadn’t traveled together alone since I was in 7th grade but it worked out great. In fact, it was phenomenal. We went to Istanbul, Izmir, and Ephesus. I continued on to Bodrum for a few days on my own. I miss her — she didn’t want to take more days off from work.”
Felice: “What’s your advice for BA50 moms – how can they plant this seed?”
Vivian: “Well, they should know that even if your daughters don’t take you on a trip to Turkey they still love you.”
Felice: “I have two boys – any thoughts on that?”
Vivian: “I think Greece would be good for you guys for next year. You should look into it.”
FYI: Vivian is a 2011 graduate of Wharton. She is in Brand Marketing for Kiehl’s and loves her work.