unique new york.

well, the time has come. i've only known for a year this would be the case, but i was literally in denial until today when the truck showed up to take all our stuff away. why people move away from this city, i'll never know. but actually i do know. it's to get a better quality of life, that includes less daily stress, better costs of living, easier access to nature, and an entire world of nicer people. 

but all of those things are neither here nor there because although nice, that's not why we're going. it's just time for us. we still have VERY wonderful memories of NYC and aren't jaded yet, which means we're leaving on a high note.

if you've ever thought about moving to the city, let me give you a few reasons why you should REALLY SHOULD consider it.

1. you'll meet insanely cool people here. this is my kid on her way home from school with her friends, listening to tj, our local cellist. we know him, he knows us, it's this funny relationship that we'll forever remember. same goes for our school crossing guard, the 86th street MTA worker, our librarian, my OBGYN... haha... our doormen.. seriously the people here are the cream of the crop. there are the daily jerks, but the rest of them, good heavens, they're good.

2. the experiences you'll have are just one of a kind. where else can you find an indoor petting zoo, a museum of ice cream, a cereal store, etc... the answer is [no where]. (lol i know i'm being biased, but humor me here;)

3. the food. oh, the food. always new food to try and you will try it. because you can't resist and the fomo from resisting becomes too strong. i dare you to resist.

4. you'll experience the most hormonal weather ever. 80 degrees in february, 50 in june, 90% humidity in august and a bomb cyclone on new years. we've seen is all and it's all insane. here they are watching the bomb cyclone roll in...

5. you'll walk more than you ever have in your entire life. i guarantee it. on a good summer day, i'd average 20-25k steps, not to brag or anything;) and you should absolutely experience the city via your God-given legs... it's the only real way.

6. the art here is always changing and so vibrant. i can't tell you how many pop-ups and murals we just "stumbled into" that ended up being amazing. the city just does that and we like it.

and let's include museums in that art category. they are SO COOL. there are so many and they're all holders of something incredible that you can't find anywhere else.

(except maybe paris... lol)

7. you're "everyday activities" will keep you humble and in awe. my 4 year old navigating the subway better than the texting-adult next to here is hilarious and amazing.

watching my kids play in the water while kelly ripa sits on the bench reading is crazy. but i guess they need to get out of the house, too....? 

giving the kids shovels to dig a hole in sheep meadow while parents sit by picnicking and watching the lights flicker on in the city. it's idyllic. dang kids don't know how lucky they are.

all of it is so "normal," except it's not.

so to the city that has stolen my heart: i cried on my flight into the city for the first time, terrified of what was awaiting me. and i'm crying even harder flying away from you wondering how i'll ever survive. i will because that's normal. but you've tattooed yourself onto my heart forever and it'll never be the same. so until my next "visit," au revoir. xoxo.