At the start of the 2013 Summer, I made a big move from New York City to New Jersey as I mentioned a few posts ago. This move was much needed, but very emotional at the same time- as most moves are. While I was saying goodbye to life in NYC (something that was a huge priority at one time), I was opening up a brand new chapter of my life- moving in with my boyfriend, into suburbia, and away from the shoebox apartment life I called home for 7 years.
At age 22, NYC was so full of energy, magic, and places just waiting for me to explore! I would visit friends and have the most amazing nights out. Whether is was just pizza and shopping around Christmas time, a rooftop party on a summer night, or a night club on New Year's Eve, nothing and nowhere in my life compared to the happiness I had when I spent time in NYC. Cab rides through Tribeca with my best friends felt magical. Walking home from a bar at 2am with the snow falling was breathtaking. And the unique closet-sized restaurants we went to only made us want more! I knew that I had to live in that city.
The very next year, I was making plans to do just that. I packed up my life in a little suburb of Washington, DC, into my Jeep, and I headed North to New York. I remember not having even an ounce of hesitation. I was beyond ready. Beyond excited. And I was headed in the exact direction I should have been going in.
For the first year living in the Big Apple, everything was so new and I had this undeniable appreciation for every little thing. Finding a new market for food shopping, a morning run up the East River or through the hills of Central Park, or a late night/early morning diner meal are all memories I will hold onto for the rest of my life- and crack a smile, with just a thought. I loved everything I was doing.
As life goes on, I found love (from NJ), but held on to New York City life as long as I could. Having love in New York is amazing and romantic. There are so many things to do together, and even if you know the city inside and out, there is always something else to explore. And there is nothing like experiencing new places together OR showing off your own go-to Mexican restaurant that no other place could ever beat!
I ended up spending most weekends in New Jersey and weekdays in NYC. Packing up a weekend duffle bag EVERY Thursday did take its toll, but I was in LOVE! New Jersey had fresh air, space, and trees. It gave me a break from the constant urgency in NYC that loomed over everyone. New Jersey became my second home and I looked forward trying new yoga studios and food shopping in big grocery stores again...and having a kitchen big enough to make homemade pizzas;-) It made my NYC life seem a little stuffy and restricting almost. I knew I was slowly reaching the end of my love affair with the Big Apple. For good reason, of course.
In the months leading up to this year's big move, I couldn't wait to get out of my crammed apartment, away from the fumes of 3rd avenue and the uncleanly subways. I was in full-on New Jersey mode by then and I could not be happier that I was moving in with my love. I was looking forward to spending our very first summer living together and decorating our new home together. The day we rented the U-haul and pulled through the streets of Manhattan at 5am to pack up my NYC life, was the only day it hit me. My dream city...my NYC life...all I had wanted at one point- was all about to be left behind for a new chapter. It was easy to say goodbye to the small apartment, the traffic, and the noise...but it wasn't so easy to say bye to the reasons I moved to the city in the first place.
But I can now say that I actually LIVED all of those perfect reasons- the magic, the energy, the uniqueness...
As I headed out of New York that morning, sitting shotgun, I looked out the window with my Starbucks cup comforting me, realizing just how much my priorities had changed, and the most genuine smile came over me...
What I have left of the NYC-Me are the very best memories of my 20s years that a girl could ever ask for. And THAT makes me feel pretty darn lucky!
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