I will always be a New Yorker.

It’s been 15 years since I walked off a plane at JFK into a sweltering wonderland that would weave itself into the fabric of my being. I had no expectations of my life in NY other than it would be a change from the curated monotony of Southern California. I had no idea the City would become the love of my life, but here we are. I also had no idea I would ever have to say goodbye. Scott and I have often been asked if we plan to stay in NY forever, and while Scott’s response was always more ambivalent, my answer was always, “You’re going to pry my cold, dead hands out of NY.” Oh, if I had only known. No, I’m not dying, and although I never thought I would say this, my NYC era is coming to a close…for now. 

When I met the other love of my life, I made vows for better or worse, and it’s time to stand by those words. We’ve decided to take some time away from New York and see what other areas have to offer. I’m not happy about it. I cry every day, sometimes walking down Columbus Avenue. One of the things I will miss most is being able to emote in any and all ways on the street, in the subway, anywhere, and New Yorkers will generally let you be. Part of the decision is financial, NY is expensive, and work has been unkind since Covid. Scott and I both feel God has closed all the doors and wants us to move for reasons we don’t understand yet. Part of the decision is trying on a quieter, more spacious existence. 

My past lives as an Air Force brat and a baseball wife taught me to be comfortable with change and to find the best in whatever habitat I was plopped into. I have no doubt I will do the same with this. It’s my nature. My love affair with NY is not ending, we’re just going to be “on a break.” IYKYK. I’m really good at long-distance love affairs and will cherish the time we get to be together in the future. For the next 26 days, I will be soaking up all of my favorite parks, restaurants, events, views, and friends. It’s not Au Revoir, it’s A bientot.