Four years and two months ago I drove into Long Island City, my black Chevrolet Impala filled to the brim with my Philadelphia apartment belongings, as Bo and I moved in together for the first time.
New York City was our first home together. Atlanta, Athens and Philadelphia were only temporary stops before as we knew our days in each were numbered due to graduations.
At that point in my life I was 25 years old, only 3 years out of college, and unsure of everything in my life other than my career and Bo. I was still insecure in my own skin for many reasons. I was shy and not sure how I would make friends in a city where I knew very few people. Most of my UGA acquaintances who moved to NYC after graduation had either decided their time up here was finished or already had established friend groups.
New York City makes you work for your friends. Everyone is busy and no one has time to stop so if you want to make life long friends you have to be willing to put yourself out there.
I found the courage and confidence to go to a blogger and reader brunch with strangers in May 2009, hosted by the lovely Melissa. It was during this brunch that the ladies convinced me to start a blog. After that one successful moment I continued putting myself out in the world in order to meet new friends. Suddenly I was the person who was willing to get out of my shell and go on “blind workout dates” or ask a co-worker to get a drink after work in hopes of developing the relationship.
The streets of New York City have helped me train for three marathons, proving that with hard work and great friends 26.2 miles is possible. Bo and I discovered this city via the sidewalks, park paths, alleys, and streets. I feel like every nook of the city, especially south of Central Park holds a memory from a long run or jaunt with friends.
A city that moves at a pace like this one requires a certain level of assertion. Even the sweetest of people will find themselves in a back of a cab trying to hustle the driver because it’s Saturday night and you have somewhere to be. You’ll push through the tourists because while you welcome them to the city and appreciate the money they spend, you are on a different time schedule. Time is money here, proof in the fast paced lunch spots where more chopped salads are served in ten minutes than in two hours anywhere else in America.
I’ve had the absolute joy to work and encounter people from diverse backgrounds and beliefs. I’ve danced along side the Pride Parade as it winds through the Chelsea and Gramercy streets, celebrating the strides that have been made. I’ve had long conversations with cab drivers during treks to JFK or LaGuardia, wanting to know more about what brought them to this country and their experiences.
This city has truly become a home. It has toughened us, it’s taught us to take advantage of every opportunity, it’s exhausted us at times, it’s allowed us to meet and reconnect with some amazing friends, and most of all it’s made us stronger.
But now it’s time for us to take the next step. Hopefully a few years from now we’ll look back on our time in Europe as one that brought us together as a couple and allowed us to explore more than we ever thought possible. But for now, we’re taking one day at a time and can only pray that all 8 checked bags arrive with us in Geneva tomorrow morning.
New York, and all our amazing friends, thank you for everything and see you soon!
GOOD LUCK! Can’t wait to hear about all of your adventures!
Love you and miss you already and so glad that the Internet brought us together (although NYJL probably would have anyway.) Although I have told you a million times that Geneva is lame, I am proud of you for taking such a huge risk and know you will have the adventure of your life. Savor every moment of it because I expect to see you back in NYC full-time by July 11, 2016. xo. NOW PLEASE STOP WRITING POSTS THAT MAKE ME CRY, OKAY?
I miss you so much already, and am so glad I got to see you right before you left. SAFE TRAVELS and I cannot wait to visit you soon. (Insert emojis here because I still don’t know how: tear, tear, hug, champagne toast, no punches, more tears, more hugs, and a passport for when I come visit you ASAP.)
LOVE LOVE LOVE
I am so thankful to have gotten to spend some time with you last weekend and for Laura (and the interwebs) for bringing us together. JP is already starting a slush fund for our ski trip in Switzerland and the south of France. I am so sad that you are leaving but SO excited to hear about your adventures. This is going to be an incredible experience for both of you! xxoo
LOVE THIS. we’re all going to live vicariously through you! enjoy girly. 🙂
thank you for always being so welcoming from day 1 when i moved here three years ago. from inviting bloggers over for the eggland brunch, the yummy spicy buffallo meatballs at the ugly christmas party, to finishing 26.2 together – new york definitely needs more people like you.
cheers to the next adventure! xoxo
Ah I got sort of teary reading this! Such a beautiful post that captures so many people’s experiences with New York, while remaining uniquely your own. I was so glad we connected and got to work out together frequently in the past few weeks and I cannot wait to hear all about your many adventures in Europe!! SO excited for this big step and your new role in your career. Good luck to both you and Bo, and see you in October!!!
Ashley, I am SO excited for you! It’s so incredible that you’re brave enough to take this step and I know that you and Bo will be SO happy you did! I can’t wait to read all about your adventures!
Have the best time on your new adventure. We will look forward to seeing your smiling face whenever you visit.
hi! loved this post and wanted to wish you lots of luck! i have been following your blog since we lived in paris. now 3 years later we moved back to nyc a month ago, and i am glad to be back but enjoyed our european adventure and know that you guys will too. bon voyage!!
Good luck on the next chapter of your life! I’m sure you’ll love it as much as you loved the past 4 years.
Good luck, Ashley!!! Enjoy this next chapter and soak it all in!
See you back in NYC in 2 years 🙂
Beautiful post, Ashley! I’m so excited for you and Bo as you embark on this next chapter. Best of luck and safe travels. I look forward to following your journey and know that many new and amazing memories await you across the pond!
Good luck Ashley! I too moved to NYC at 25 and this post struck a chord with me. (I no longer live there and I miss it every day!) Very excited to hear about your adventures in Geneva!
I loved this post! I am sad that you’re leaving the city just as I’ve gotten back, but I am so excited to read about your Geneva adventures.
I can’t wait to read all about your life in Europe, and how your training looks over there! Good luck establishing new friendships!
Wow! I’m excited to hear about your next adventures. Good luck to both of you. 😀
New York has certainly treated you well, and it sounds like it has prepared you for your life in Europe. When I left NYC after six amazing years, I was seriously sentimental and honestly doubted whether any other city would ever compare to its fabulousness — but luckily the world has a lot to offer! I wish you tons of luck in your transition to Europe and much joy in your new adventures!
Best of luck to you and Bo on your new adventure! I can’t wait to read all about it! It’s always hard to leave a city you’ve grown to love and adore. But you’ll be back so soon! NYC will always be there.
HAVE FUN!!! I hope it is all going well so far, and can’t wait to continue following your adventures!
What a great post! It sounds like you’ve fully experienced New York. I hope you have just as much fun in Europe.
You guys are so brave! Enjoy the adventures that o/s living brings!!
Best of luck, Ashley! What a great adventure you guys are on. That’s awesome and I’m looking forward to reading all about it 🙂
good luck with the move and getting settled in!! can’t wait to continue reading about your new adventures abroad!