Great trip!

We made it home from NYC safe and sound. I love seeing my boy, who isn’t a boy any longer. Let me get my complaints out of the way first. I feel like someone took a baseball bat to my legs, knees and feet. I better hurry back to NY because I feel when I’m a little older I won’t be able to make it. The subways are a great feature of NY and if you are with someone who knows them, very efficient. But the steps getting to and from them are daunting. A few have elevators and there are some escalators, but mostly there are steps. My knees aren't crazy about steps. Starting on our third set down in one location I told LJ I thought I saw a sign reading, “Bowels of Hell.” He just laughed and said it seemed accurate.

Except for a few aches and pains the trip was great. With all NYC has to offer, I was only going to see people, LJ and Collin top the list, of course. This time there was a bonus. My niece lives there too and we managed to connect for a quick lunch, we got in at noon and she was flying out at six. She’s moving to Texas and she and her boyfriend were heading there to find an apartment. This younger generation does move around.

We did see Beautiful and I loved every minute of it. It just made my heart happy to hear the music I grew up with. LJ knew one of the cast and we got to talk with him afterwards. I definitely recommend the play to anyone heading that way.

We got to eat with three of LJ childhood friends who also live in the city and I loved seeing them all grown up and with some impressive jobs. One friend had her son with her – a delightful child! He’s four and played quietly with his toys as we ate and visited. His mother never offered him her cell phone and he never asked for it – he entertained himself with toys! I was impressed.

On the last night there we had dinner with LJ and Collin and their dear friend, the girl who officiated at their wedding. We had a wonderful time but I was truly dreading getting back to the hotel. The walk from the subway to the restaurant was just under a mile and I wasn’t sure which train we should take when we got there, though I have no doubt Nick knew, then a half mile trek back to the hotel from that subway stop and I was tired!

We had talked about how much walking we’d done – I average 3,000 steps a day at home and on our second day there it was just under 20,000 steps. We saw LJ’s friend texting as we all came out of the restaurant to say good-by. I was trying to get my bearing for heading to the subway when she told us, “Don’t worry I just ordered you a car. It’ll be here in four minutes.” I was so thankful. As we thanked her I asked if it was better to pay with cash or a credit card. She answered, “It’s already paid for, including tip. All you have to do is thank the driver and get out at your hotel.” We may hear people gripe and make fun of millennials, but the ones I know are fantastic!

I learned, or at least remembered, some things on this trip. I don’t like NYC. I don’t like the traffic, the confusion, the noise and mostly the crowds! But I was also struck by LJ’s complete joy in his adopted city. He loves every bit of it, he thrives there and I’m so grateful he had the desire and the courage to make his dreams come true. I love seeing my children happy.

Just thought I’d add one shot of my two favorite men in the world, Nick and LJ.