Posted By admin on January 24, 2010

Although this post should have been written weeks ago, I am going to write it now and pretend that I did not miss the opportunity to document/share my awesome get away with my sweet husband.

Earlier this fall, Brenden and I realized that we were in need of a time away – a couple of days without soccer practice, boy scouts, 4 noisy, demanding, wonderful children, work, homeschool, church responsibilities, messy kitchens and dirty diapers.  And so…we began planning a trip.  Savannah holds wonderful memories for us, so we were excited about some time there.  However, my amazing husband, remembering my dream of spending Christmas time in New York, realized that using his flight miles (thank you so much trip to China!), his hotel points, and some creativity, we could spend the weekend in NY for the same cost as a weekend in Savannah.  It took a little convincing for me to agree to fly without my children to the city, but knowing they would be in good hands we started to plan.

With our site seeing hit list in hand, we were up earlier than God on that Friday morning, heading to the airport and landing in NY at 10 am.  We rode the bus to our hotel (which was RIGHT NEXT DOOR to Grand Central Station – Oh Heavens!!) and found out that the phrase “drive it like you stole it” even applies to bus drivers in that city!

We checked in to the hotel and hit the road.  5th Avenue, 34th Street, Macy’s Empire State Building, Central Park, Times Square, Rockefeller Center, New York Public Library, hot dogs from a street vendor, The Plaza, St Patrick’s Cathedral – we walked like I have never walked before, but it was amazing.  We knew that the rain and snow was due the next day, and wanted to get as much tourist time in as possible.  The highlight for both of us was Central Park.  It is funny that we went to the city and spent a large amount of our time in the wide open spaces where the trees and grass were.   Our splurge for the weekend (we were trying to spend as little money as possible) was a carriage ride through the Park.  It’s the stuff that movies are made of!

The next day the rain and snow did come.  And it was COLD!  We tried to get out and walk around, but we were miserable, so we spent some time exploring Grand Central Station, hanging out and getting some much needed rest, and eating to our hearts content in the hospitality floor of the hotel (Oh, have I been spoiled for life!).  Dinner at a small Irish Pub made us almost feel like locals.

Up and at ‘em Sunday morning.  We still had a lot to accomplish before heading back to the airport for our flight home. Agenda for the day?  Financial District.  Statue of Liberty via the Staten Island Ferry, Battery Park, Wall Street, Trump Tower, New York Stock Exchange, WTC and St. Paul’s Chapel.  So many emotions filled this tourist day.  Pride in seeing Lady Liberty and knowing everything that she stands for, amazement on Wall Street, deep sadness in St. Paul’s Chapel, exhilaration at knowing that we will overcome the disaster of the WTC.

With a couple of hours to kill and one item left to cross off our list we started walking.  Heading away from the financial district, wanting to see real life in NYC, wanting to get away from the crowds of tourists that had been surrounding us.  We ended up in Tribeca.  Moms watching their children play on the playground.  Couples choosing their Christmas trees on the side of the street.  Families taking walks together.  Children riding their bike.  Laughter, conversation…real life.

And for the first time I could picture my life in New York.

I could see that piece of life that we didn’t opt to choose.  And I could see how different our life would be.  Never would we have had 4 children.  We wouldn’t have a car, or a pet.  We would live in an apartment.  We would walk or take the subway. We would take time everyday to play at the park.  We would live so simply.

And although a part of that was appealing for a time, it made us so grateful for what we have.  And ready to head home to our warm home and noisy children…right after we had some New York pizza.  It’s one of those things you just have to do!

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