New York City + 7 Years

Started writing at 8:42 a.m. while eating breakfast and listening to “Morning Edition” in the cottage in Ocean Beach.

The last week has made me feel even more fortunate to live in New York—state lawmakers late on Friday, June 24, acknowledged that gays and lesbians should receive equal treatment through marriage, the pure joy over this landmark vote was beyond palpable at the city’s annual Pride parade on Sunday, June 26 and watching the fireworks over the Hudson River later that night with my boyfriend against the backdrop of “Chapel of Love” was simply magical. I also remain grateful for the opportunity to work on one of the world’s most beautiful beaches.

Today marks seven years since I moved to Bushwick from New Hampshire. Any number of clichés and superlatives can be used to describe this then-22-year-old’s decision to leave his hometown behind. The five boroughs and some of those who live with them can certainly prove particularly unkind at times. The chorus to Jay-Z’s “Empire State of Mind”, however, captures this Bushwick resident’s current sentiments.

Now you’re in New York.
These streets will make you feel brand new.
Big lights will inspire you.