Finding Home
I’ve fallen deeply in love with New York City. I feel the butterflies buzzing around in my stomach even when I have to navigate the mundane routine. Yet everyone knows that when it’s true love, the words “mundane” and “routine” cease to exist. This is a relationship that is bittersweet, though, as I know that soon enough it will come to an end. I know this city isn’t really ideal for our life, I know that the passion and excitement is probably-even slightly- exacerbated by knowing that truthfully we are better suited for suburban life.
It isn’t really easy or practical to raise a family in Manhattan. The kids would really enjoy having a dog and a back yard. Perhaps even a tree house. My husband would kill to have a shed to tinker around in and find endless things to fix. The water polo player and ocean dweller in him is pining for a swimming pool of his own.
Not I. Ever the gypsy soul, I crave the lights and action of the CITY. I want the museums and shows, life, opportunity, diversity and culture dripping from every crevice of Manhattan. Perhaps I discovered this place a little too late in my life, but the when I got here my soul finally felt at home. Life is really crazy like that. I never, never in a million years thought I would even like New York City. What scared me the most turned out to be the greatest learning experience and influence in my life as I know it. And now I am not going to let go.
..at least not easily.
Even as I struggle with the cold weather, it’s simply impossible not to embrace the holidays as they creep up around the city. I get positively giddy when I see the flurry’s start to swirl behind the windows and around the Empire State Building.
From ice skating with my darling at Rockefeller Center…
…to roaming the city sidewalks, snacking on roasted chestnuts, peering in at the widow displays at Bergdorfs and Louis Vuitton.
Even getting to watch the lighting of the 75 foot tree in Rockefeller Center.
Yet when I get home from being out in the vibrant, busy city, I remember what makes my heart tick no matter where we live. The things that will never change outside of our home. Our traditions and memories made within the comfort of the walls of our apartment.
Advent Calendar
Elf on the Shelf
Successful trip to Santa’s Village
For the first time, we get to spend the entire holiday season in New York City this year. I can’t wait to wake up in our home on Christmas morning with loved ones around.
It doesn’t really matter where we are. I’ll enjoy my torrid affair with Manhattan while it lasts, but it’s finding home within the chaos that’s what matters.
as a life long nyc dweller. love the holiday season here it is the best. the problem is that jan – march kinda suck when it is cold, slushy snowy, icy and gross lol!
Well I see my ‘lover’ has been cheating on me with you. 😉 I also described my feelings for NYC in precisely that way in a post a I did awhile back. Like yourself, I also discovered how much I loved NY too late in life. I truly wish I had lived there before settling down and having a family. It is without out a doubt the best city in the world and there is simply nothing like Christmas in New York. If you’re looking for a good book, check out The New Yorkers by Cathleen Schine. The author describes it as her ‘love letter to New York City’ and it’s a great read that celebrates NYC for everything that is good, bad and inbetween about it. Have a wonderful holiday. 🙂
I was born and raised in new york (brooklyn).. I lived there up until this past May when my family and I moved to Israel so that my husband could finish school. There are many great things about liing in israel (almost all my extended family is here)- we have a huge yard, people are warm… but seeing your pictures brought tears to my eyes… i miss home so much. Hopefully we will move back when he finishes… tell my city that I miss it!
I know how you feel. Moved to NYC from Greenwich, Ct not only because my husband works here and is here all of the time, but I was bored and needed stimulation and to “feel alive” where I was living. With 6 kids in the city, it’s not easy or the norm, but I am not leaving. I can’t imagine going back to the burbs where I craved more for the kids and I. I think there are tradeoffs and now that I have 2 teens, they love it here so it has actually made it easier. There is always something to do, see and learn about here and that’s what keeps us growing. Best of luck with whatever decision you make! xo
I love your posts about NYC. I could not live in a place farther from what your life is like there, and I love seeing things through your eyes.
I told Andy the other day I want to spend Christmas in NYC next year, and I think you just solidified that.
It’s awesome that you’re enjoying New York so much, especially since people always say that there are California people and there are New York people. You’re both! 🙂
Aww…touching post. Your little ones are absolutely adorable. As the saying goes ‘Home is where the heart is.’
This was such a great post. I was born in Newark then raised in Florida from age 6 through college, so normal life to me was beaches and heat. But something in me always craved going back to the Northeast. When I finally moved back, it felt like coming home. Sure it’s tough to still have family in Florida and to listen to them talk about the beach and the sunshine as we freeze up here, but honestly, there’s something so special about being able to soak up the culture in Manhattan, to live in the mountains in the Poconos, to watch the first snowfall. I’m so excited to start a family here. I no longer think about moving back South (much to Mom’s horror). I agree with Julie, you could most definitely still stay here! If you crave suburban life, do what we did, find a beautiful house in PA or NJ and have the best of both worlds. Nothing beats having 2 acres with deer in your yard then hopping in the car for a trip to NY to catch a show. It can so easily be done!! It’s wonderful to hear though that no matter where you are, your family is so close knit that home is wherever they are.
You had me at ‘ widow displays at Bergdorfs and Louis Vuitton.’ 😉 I’m so happy that you’re having such an amazing time, Jessica. This is such an incredible experience for you and your family! xoxo
Linda and I loved seeing you on TV! As Truman Capote said: “Television isn’t for
watching , it’s for appearing on.” You looked so pretty and relaxed while slightly teetering on those heels… ankles are a girl’s best friend.
We love all the NYC photos. We hope to see you all someday hopefully when your mom is there. More later, Bob
Oh! You’re killing me. Because I’m “Mama’s Gone Country.” 18 months ago we left NYC after 16 years for… the north woods. There are beavers across the street and the occasional moose on the lawn.
Mostly I’m happy, but YES there are things I miss.
Enjoy it while it lasts!
Sarah
I am desperately, passionately in love with NYC. I have been since the very first time I went into the city as a teen…(snuck outta my house to go clubbin’…good times). My hubs and I tried to get an apartment there looong ago, before we had kids. That didn’t work out (we got scammed out of our deposit)…so for now I have to settle for raising my kids 20 min outside the city (I live a stones throw from Newark airport). But man, everytime I go into the city…every single time, I’m infused with such peace and such quiet contentment despite the hustle and bustle around me…and all because I know that I’m home. Enjoy the city during the holidays!
P.S. Found you thru Pauline.
i love this post. i love the honesty and the energy that comes from it. and you nailed it–it doesn’t matter where you are, just find what matters. however, i wouldn’t mind experiencing nyc for a short bit- i have never been! but i must say, i think i’m more of a country girl that i would like to admit. i even want chickens someday!
also–i totally missed you on the nate show! argh! do you know if there is any place where i can view it? 🙂
and one more thing- i can’t say this enough– your family is beautiful!
New York is so amazing at Christmas time! I grew up in CT, so have always had the opportunity to visit. But this is the first year of actually living here. I honestly didn’t ever think we would live here – I felt like that ship had sailed. We were too old, had a family, we couldn’t do the city. But that’s the amazing thing, about NY, I think. You can find just about anything you want. We are in a neighborhood, an amazing community, on the subway line, a mere 20 minutes from mid-town. It’s like the best of both worlds, and works perfectly for our family. Good luck with all your life decisions! My husband just finished his medical fellowship this summer, so I know the types of transitions you will go through over the next several years. I’m sure you and your amazing family will handle it beautifully!
As always, fabulous pictures!
your blog makes me want to cry. after my husband and 2 yr old twins, NYC is the greatest love of my life. i’d always known NYC as a neighbor… grew up in PA, frequent trips during college, but i never expected to live there. we moved there in 2005, before having kids, and i fell So. Hard. for the city. life was magical. my dreams were finally being realized. personally, professionally….i never wanted to leave. it was the home i was always looking for. however, we were forced by work circumstance to go to boston. right after moving to boston, i got pregnant with my twins and we are still here raising the kids. its my dream to get back to the city. i want to raise my kids there so badly. i’m just going to have to live vicariously through you for a moment.
take care. you have a beautiful blog.
So sweet. NY is really magical just before Christmas.
You know, in all my days, I’ve never actually eaten a chestnut from a street cart.
Oh, how I love this post. And when you leave NYC, you’ll take parts of it with you. It has nothing on Paris, in terms of moveable feast-ness.
I, too, love this post, and I love reading your blog because you remind me of myself many years ago when I moved to NYC from the south. I loved everything the city offered me and there was nothing I didn’t do, much like you. Enjoy it – you will always have such wonderful memories that only NYC can provide.
Your blog is fabulous! and you write beautifully! Lucky ducky to live in NYC! Love the pictures
I love that you now love NYC. You feel exactly the same way as me when I was living in London. Go you! Now if only I could get as excited about now living in the ‘burbs 😉
Great post! I feel like each time I visit NYC I’m “home”. It’s truly an amazing city and how wonderful you’ve got to live there even if it’s just for a short time. I wish I could convince my Hubby to move there but with two dogs and a baby on the way I don’t see it happening anytime soon. Merry Christmas!
New York is so amazing at Christmas time! I grew up in CT, so have always had the opportunity to visit. But this is the first year of actually living here. I honestly didn’t ever think we would live here – I felt like that ship had sailed. We were too old, had a family, we couldn’t do the city. But that’s the amazing thing, about NY, I think. You can find just about anything you want. We are in a neighborhood, an amazing community, on the subway line, a mere 20 minutes from mid-town. It’s like the best of both worlds, and works perfectly for our family. Good luck with all your life decisions! My husband just finished his medical fellowship this summer, so I know the types of transitions you will go through over the next several years. I’m sure you and your amazing family will handle it beautifully! As always, fabulous pictures!
Great post! I feel like each time I visit NYC I’m “home”. It’s truly an amazing city and how wonderful you’ve got to live there even if it’s just for a short time. I wish I could convince my Hubby to move there but with two dogs and a baby on the way I don’t see it happening anytime soon. Merry Christmas!