An Affair to Remember

Over the past 9 months, New York and I grown very close. My new city has been a great provider and a thrilling lover. I have seen and done things here that I never thought possible, Broadway shows, the ballet, restaurants, the people, the architecture... I could go on and on. I have found that if I need something from New York, I may have to beg but I will usually get it: an apartment, a babysitter, a friend.

New York has a lot of the qualities I look for in a lover, err... city: the tall dark and handsome, deeply intelligent with a sharp sense of humour, yet somehow 'too cool.' I have introduced the city to my parents and while they know they will never feel the way I do, they can see that I am smitten and want me to be happy. New York makes no attempt to isolate me from my friends and family, on the contrary! New York loves it when my friends and family come to visit; the city likes to show off. (Why the light show at the top of the Empire State Building? I get it, you're well endowed.)

We love each other but it is not an entirely wholesome love. I don't litter and I try not to complain when I have to hobble across the cobblestones in my stilettos. I knew what I was signing up for. But if I start feeling comfortable, like I might actually belong here, New York will cut me down in a heartbeat. I have started to expect the cycle and have learned to predict New York's outbursts. If a tourist takes my restaurant recommendation or a stranger compliments me on my footwear, I can expect my metropass to go missing.

Last Saturday, I was Christmas shopping, out and about spending some good quality time with my city and trying on dresses. But I just wasn't in the mood; I was feeling fat. Eventually I gave up trying to enjoy myself and I wanted to go home. New York became hostile and withholding. I couldn't find a taxi anywhere so I had to walk all the way home with the icy wind blowing against me, blinking back tears. When I finally reached my home, I warmed up with a cup of peppermint tea and realized that I didn't feel fat anymore. I had walked the 40 blocks to my apartment cursing New York but really, the city knew what was best for me. Cardio.

When I feel ugly, New York will give me a wink from a cute stranger on the subway. When I feel run down, New York will give me a lovely, rainy day. When I feel like I am starting to know my way around, New York will give me subway track maintenance.

But I will stay here because I truly believe that New York loves me. I would never try to change New York. I have promised never to take New York for granted and I will try not to take it personally when the city lashes out at me. I don't expect monogamy. I travel a lot and New York is so busy, but we complete each other, we really do. And I am getting ready to go out tonight!