Growing Up

Guest Post by Sarah M of Saturday’s Story

Hi there Grateful Lifers!  I’m Sarah, a college acquaintance turned reconnected buddy of Trish’s so happy to be with you guys here this fine Friday.  Fridays, ah. The cusp of the weekend with the anticipation and excitement of Saturday awaits each of you.  (I’m a huge fan of Saturdays if you couldn’t ascertain that already.)  Residing in New York City is my jam and along with my husband Lee and growing a baby at the moment, here’s a peek into my current vibe these days…

I’ve been a “downtown” gal for almost 5 years now. Downtown living is youth, the newest antique pawn shop turned tapas restaurant, the perfectly hidden & darkened wine bar around the corner.  It’s street fashion that equates to Chanel bags meets St. Mark’s $8 sunglasses meets Toms meets Tods.   It’s art students and bankers and yogis and more.  And it is + became everything I dreamed of when taking that leap of faith back in August of 2006 when life was extremely uncertain and I was hanging my rent check on the 50/50 gamble of a job.

But like all good stories (excluding Peter Pan), somewhere in between the summer nights on the roofdeck and countless west village evenings out, I grew up in a major way…unashamed of the pang of change I knew was brewing.  I was feeling this itch to get uptown (and my husband was too.)  I was pining for that quasi-suburban feel where a kid friendly museum was the afternoon activity of choice and Mom’s whizzed by in their joggers with babies in tow.  We strolled along the Upper West Side some spring day of 2011 and something clicked.  Our eyes said it all.  Our linked arms conveyed the thoughts we shared.  The quiet tree lined streets and Bugaboo strollers caught my heart’s attention.  I wanted to be a part of that, no no...I even in some way *needed* that.  And we sat in Central Park commenting for the bajillionth time that “isn’t it crazy how you get this slice of peace in the heart of NYC?”   I knew deep down, this was the next chapter and a big one at that.  Change is never an easy ride but I think in acknowledging one’s desire for it, you live your way through it more gracefully...fully and intentionally aware of its impact. 

Just this past Monday, with 41 boxes, 2 couches and a bed in tow, we bid farewell to downtown life as we knew it.  I patted my tummy with tears in my eyes as I shut the door to 7B thinking to myself, “yes, it is time…” 

Bring on the 530pm dinners with a little bubba strapped to my husband’s chest.  Bring on the evening strolls on Riverside Drive.  Bring on all that is to come (sleepless nights, 4am feedings, Mommy & Me swimming lessons!). 

Yes and thank you.  Two very important things to remember to say as one door shuts and another one is just beginning to open…

(*Thank you sweet Trish for graciously opening up your platform to us other blogettes out there this week!  I hope we made you proud and that you’re enjoying your New Jersey bagel and cream cheese as we speak;)