26 Years Old!

Today I am 26 years old, officially past the mid twenty mark. It is a little weird I guess. I remember turning 16 and it just doesn't feel like that long ago...
Well, to celebrate my day my Jonathan bought me a ticket to one of my favorite places, New York City. It would have only been better had he been able to come with. Not only for flight support ( I am really just a terrible flier- but hopefully with every flight I get just a smidge better) but for running around the city.

As soon as I landed in LaGuardia it just felt so familiar. Navigating to the city via the rumbly M60 bus and walking to the beautiful apartment at 116th/Lenox I began to feel like I hadn't really left. The only underlying feeling in my gut that wasn't totally embracing the return was that I feel that incompleteness that comes along with living away from loved ones. And although that feeling can be lessened over time or pushed away for a bit it never fails to resurface and nag at me once more. Jon and I did this separate living (not by choice) for 6 months of the first year of our marriage and that achy feeling was always present with me. My lovely friends and the new living situation helped get me through that and have the best experience here that I could, but always that ache would be waiting for me.

I will always love this city, the handful of special people that I have shared such experiences with, but I think Grand Rapids is really where I should be this year. I know I have been there for the past 6 months but for a lot of it I wasn't ready to let go of living here, in the city. But I think this lovely, full trip will help assure me that it will be here waiting for us and hopefully many more trips to come :)