Four New York, With Love

"At a certain part in your life, probably when too much of it has gone by, you will open your eyes and see yourself for who you are. Especially for everything that made you so different from all the awful normals. And you will say to yourself, "But I am this person." And in that statement, that correction, there will be a kind of love." ~Phoebe in Wonderland

Today I celebrated FOUR years in New York City! The best and hardest decision I have ever made.

I didn't want anything extravagant, just a night with my City doing two of my favorite things with one of my favorite people. Dinner at Tartine and a Movie (Phoebe in Wonderland) with Karine. Perfection.

I moved here on 3/9/2005 for what I thought would be a short 3 month stint and what instantaneously became my indefinite home. The moment I stepped off the plane I had never felt such a powerful sense of belonging. Like a puzzle piece finding it's place. All the edges matched. It didn't matter that I had never been here and didn't know a soul. I was home.

That day, fittingly, is also my Grandpa's birthday. I wouldn't have made it here without his wise counsel, confidence, and love. Nor the unceasing worry, hope, and prayers of my Grandma. There are other wonderful people, friends and family alike, whom I also couldn't have gotten this far without. Some I'm closer to than ever. Others, I've become distant from but will never forget. All of them have written their initials on my heart, like carvings on a tree trunk, and will have a special place there forever.

As I took pause to reflect on this special day and how I got here it is impossible not to notice how much my life has changed and how many wonderful people have changed it. I am in absolute awe, and completely overwhelmed by gratitude and love for the amazing life I am humbled and privileged to lead.
Each of these people helped me grow in ways I never knew possible.
They are the New York Loves of My Life.
They complete me.

~Karley~
My Best New York Friend. Never a dull moment, never a laughless time, never a better mother, never a kinder friend, never a more honest person.
~Amaya~ (soon to be a NYC resident herself!)
Cousins by blood, Best Friends by choice!
~Karine~
The walking definition of fantastic friend. Always with a smile to share and a laugh to impart.
~Sara & Katie~
Rockstar Roomies
~Bryan (aka Gumby) far left, Scott & Sarah far right~
3 of my longest and dearest NYC friends.
~Craig, Amy, Jeremy~
Movies, Music, Madness, Manhattan!
~Tyler (My-Ty)~
Greatest neighbor and Saturday movie/brunch buddy EVER!
~My Girls--Allison, Lyndsee, Amy~
The new and improved version of 4 good girl friends living in a Sexy City.
~The Family: J, H, J, H ;) ~
I landed the best job of my career with people I have come to love dearly. I couldn't ask for a more amazing family to work and play with!
~Elad, Rachel, Sophie, Ethan~
THE BEST!!! My all time favorites, always.
~Aubrey, Col, Adeline, Maebe~
Sunday dinners and Man-ventures wouldn't be the same without them! "We're all family! We're all friends, too" --Addie 3/2009

**I don't have any recent photos, but Mitch, Rebecca, Rubin, Ellis, Cassia, Shay were the first family I ever worked for and became a part of, and significantly shaped my life and opened the door to the opportunities I have seized since moving here.**

~Sophie "So-So" (age 4)~
My favorite.
~Xander~
Cutest, most terridactyl sounding Nephew I could possibly dream of.
~Robbie Gil~
2 1/2yrs of shows and he still never ceases to amaze me. I think my heart immediately syncs to his rhythms every time I walk into The Living Room.
Thank you New York, and Thank You New Yorkers. I love you!