Yesterday was a warm December Saturday in NYC. The Christmas hustle and bustle has just come to an end. Everything was checked off the to-do list and my mini and I were ready to explore! I decided to take my little love to a bakery I have been wanting to try for quite some time. I know it’s not too exciting but as a culinary school graduate, I thrive on sampling new foods and experiencing new flavors. What I thought was going to be a day of culinary experimentation turned out to be a day of reminiscing and appreciation.
We hopped on the ferry from Brooklyn to Manhattan. Only 5 ferry stops and a couple of blocks until we arrived at our destination. As we rode from stop to stop, we took turns asking each other “What do you see?”. As we searched the surrounding scenery for answers, I began to realize how incredibly fortunate I am to have the ability to teach my daughter the ins and outs of this city, our city, New York City. As we approached the third stop, Pier 6/ Brooklyn Bridge Park, I began to think back to last spring when my Belle girl played soccer here. We talked about her coaches, her friends, and how Papa was able to come to soccer too. I thought about all of the beautiful pictures I took of her playing and how I felt so blessed at the time. Blessed to be surrounded by beauty and blessed to be raising my daughter around this beauty as well.
We depart for the next ferry stop and the NYC skyline grows closer and closer. There she is – The Statue of Liberty. Lady Liberty stands tall right before our eyes and my little girl is pressed to the window to get the best look she possibly can. If only she could comprehend the symbolic meaning of what she has her eyes locked on – Freedom, Liberty, the symbol of the United States itself. Wow.
This is it. Last stop and everybody off! We walk the few blocks and we arrive at the bakery I have been anxiously waiting to try. “We are all out.” I here as I order the cake I have had my eye on for almost a year. My first reaction could have been one of regret for coming all of this way. I could have seen it as a waste of time but any time spent with my girl, in my city, is time well spent. We grabbed a treat to share and a treat to bring home to Papa, who was working while we were adventuring.
We make our way back to the piers and began to walk towards the South Street Seaport. We walk past droves of tourists waiting in line to board sightseeing boats. How lucky are we to live in a city that some people only dream about visiting. As a child, my father brought us here to watch the Fourth of July fireworks and to tour the ships. Now, over 25 years later, I am here with my daughter. How incredible.
The time is flying by and our ferry to Brooklyn will be departing soon. We reach the pier with some time to spare. As we sit on a bench waiting for the ferry, mesmerized by the helicopters landing on and taking off of the adjacent pier, I think back on my first date with my husband over 7 years ago. I tell her how Papa surprised me with a helicopter ride from that pier. She enthusiastically exclaims that she wants to go on a helicopter ride with Papa too. This does not surprise me one bit. She is the epitome of a daddy’s girl. I may be bias but he is pretty spectacular. Knowing him the way that I do now, I can not believe he took me on that ride! He is not a fan of heights or adventure either.
As we ride farther from the Manhattan skyline, I gaze between my sleeping beauty and my city that never sleeps, I feel fortunate to lead a life that I love, with the people that I love, in the city that I love. A day of new adventures transformed into a day of reminiscing with an old familiar friend…
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Your love for the city (and your family) shines through…I lived in NYC for many years but moved out to the West coast in 2012. I love it here, but I miss many things about NYC. Oh, and I can totally get behind making a major excursion to try a new bakery! The old photo of you and your Dad is sweet….my son got us to the front of the crowds at the piers for Fourth of July fireworks one year. He’d just returned from Afghanistan and was wearing his full Marine regalia. Worked like a charm, everyone let us through. NY holds so many good memories, which you’re making now. Keep enjoying it, and thanks for the follow!
I’m happy to hear that people had enough courtesy and respect to allow your family to the front. That doesn’t always happen as I’m sure you know! Thank you so much for taking the time to leave such a sweet comment! 💖
What great pictures, water and blue sky, a contrast to the hustle and bustle. I have never been to New York, but I am sure one would never run out of sights to see.
Thank you! NY is wonderful. You should definitely try to visit, if possible. 😊
I have never been to America, but NYC always looks impressive. I lived in London for the first 60 years of my life, and enjoyed that. But now I would find city life too fast, and I am happy to be in the countryside.
Many thanks for following my blog. 🙂
Best wishes from England, Pete.
The countryside is very charming as well. Both have great qualities. London is next on my travel list! 😊
Hi Liz.
Just noticed that you also followed my other blog reflagflying.wordpress.com
Many thanks for that too. 🙂
Best wishes, Pete.
Of course! 💛
Nice narration. Your love for your city and your family is palpable. I too love city based blogs.
Thank you!
I love the picture of the soccer field with the city in the background. This is something I would have imagined! 🙂
Thanks! I love it too! 💛
You followed my blog Liz. How very kind.
I totally get loving a city. I’m a londoner by adoption of 40 years and I’m not leaving any time soon. I’ve visited the oversized apple many times and even in August in 100 degrees it’s fabulous. Of course you go for a specific treat. They pop up like diamonds squeezed out of the sidewalk. We had a holiday just after a friend told me about this specialist rice pudding parlour in SoHo, Rice to Riches. Of course we made a beeline for it. Of course it was utterly scrumptious. Then Will Smith used it in a film!! Ruined!!!! Not.
My wife is a lover of stationary by which I don’t mean she likes to keep still but rather discovering new outlets for her paper fetish.
Don’t ask. New York is always throwing up new outlets for her.
Now you’ve made me want to go back… darn!!
Visiting New York is always a good idea and Rich to Riches is always scrumptious! 🍎 I hope you make it back soon!
I grew up in New York, as did my parents, and I remember as a kid (this was, oh, a hundred or so years ago) listening to my father talk about a ferry from Brooklyn to New York and that sounded absurdly exotic. There was a bridge. I couldn’t imagine New York without it. (That would, I think, have been well before his time, but I didn’t put that together then.)
They actually stopped running the ferry for a long time. The mayor just got it running again a few years ago. Apparently it’s not too cost effective so we shall see how long it lasts this time. I really enjoy taking the ferry so hopefully they find a way to keep it!