On the surface Julia Child was an iconic American Chef, author and Tv personality, but she was so much more than this. Whilst she revolutionised the way Americans approached cooking, in particular French cuisine, it was her exuberant personality, distinctive voice, and passion for food that made her a beloved cultural figure.
Julia was born in 1912 in California, Julia came from a well-to-do family. Her dad was a Princeton alum and real estate investor, and her mom was a paper-company heiress with a lieutenant governor for a dad. Julia seemed destined for a conventional life, possibly in the family business, but she had other plans. After graduating with a degree in history, she dreamed of becoming a writer or novelist. She even tried her hand at submitting short plays and stories to The New Yorker, but sadly, none got published.
In 1941 as the war began Julia volunteered for the Office of Strategic Services (OSS) as a research assistant. This is where she met her husband, Paul Child, they were both working in Sri Lanka when their relationship formed. After the war, Julia and Paul moved to France due to Paul’s work with the U.S. Foreign Service. Paul often referred to Julia as his muse and in their love letters to each other he would write her romantic sonnets.
It was in Paris that Julia discovered her love for French food. She attended Le Cordon Bleu, the prestigious French cooking school, where she trained alongside professional chefs. Julia’s curiosity and dedication to mastering French cooking techniques laid the foundation for her career.
In 1961 Julia co authored Mastering the Art of French cooking, her fame then skyrocketed with the start of her show The French Chef, in 1963. Julia’s charm and relatable style made her a pioneer of food television. She wasn’t afraid to laugh at her mistakes or make cooking fun, inspiring viewers to try dishes they had once thought intimidating.
Julia Child wasn’t just a chef; she was a cultural ambassador who bridged the gap between French and American culinary traditions. Her career spanned decades, and she remained a tireless advocate for good food and cooking until her death in 2004 at the age of 91.
Her influence extends far beyond her recipes. Julia’s zest for life, sense of humour, and love of learning continue to inspire cooks and non-cooks alike. Her famous philosophy—”Learn from your mistakes, and above all, have a good time”—is as relevant today as ever.
Julia Child’s thoughts on love, much like her approach to food and life, were heartfelt, genuine, and full of wisdom. Her marriage to Paul Child was a cornerstone of her life and an example of a deeply loving and supportive partnership.
Julia once said that the secret to a lasting relationship is “finding the right person,” emphasizing the importance of choosing someone you truly want to share your life with every single day. Her words reflect her own experience with Paul, who was not only her husband but also her confidant, cheerleader, and partner in all things. Their relationship was a collaboration, both in life and in Julia’s culinary career. Paul supported her ambitions wholeheartedly, helping her edit her cookbooks and encouraging her to pursue her passions. The first half of their marriage was wrapped around Paul and his career but this flipped when he retired and he described himself as becoming Julia’s Iceberg beneath the water, just there, a huge ballast letting her shine. Julia was more than aware that everything she did was because of Paul’s unwavering support
Their love story was filled with warmth and mutual delight. Julia often expressed her gratitude for Paul, noting how they celebrated each other’s individuality while building a life together. She believed in the joy of sharing life with someone who compliments you and brings out your best qualities.
For Julia, love wasn’t about grand gestures or fleeting emotions but about finding a connection so deep and true that it could weather the ups and downs of life. Her relationship with Paul remains a testament to the idea that love, like a good recipe, requires care, patience, and a touch of magic.
How do you know you’ve found the one—that person you call your true love, your soulmate?
Julia Child once shared a beautifully simple truth. She said the most important thing in any relationship, ‘the secret’, is that you find the right person. The one you want to be with every single day. At first it sounds obvious, but to me it holds a profound meaning. She wasn’t talking about a perfect match on paper or a checklist of shared interests. What she meant was something way deeper.
It’s not about someone being ‘your type’ or ticking boxes on a list of qualities. True love goes beyond compatibility or convenience. It’s when you find someone who feels like they’ve rewritten the definition of what you were looking for. They’re a type all their own, unique and irreplaceable. They’re not just right for you, they’re the person you never even knew you were waiting for. Suddenly, everything in your life feels like it was leading up to that moment, to meeting that stranger who becomes the center of your world. And once they’re there, it’s impossible to imagine life without them.
To me, finding “the one” is like finding a missing piece of yourself, even if you didn’t realize there was something missing in the first place. They make you feel more yourself, not because they complete you, but because they amplify who you are. It’s as if being with them aligns everything in your life.
The secret to a happy, long lasting relationship is finding that person you don’t just want to spend today with, but tomorrow, and the day after that, for the rest of your life. It’s not just love; it’s a bond that feels as natural and necessary as breathing. It’s the kind of connection where the thought of not being together simply doesn’t make sense. That’s when you know you’ve found your one and only.
By Eskarina