California Here I Come

Dear Beloved New York City,

Today I am flying home to California and leaving you behind. I'm moving to Arizona to go to school at ASU for photography. I am stopping over at my parents in California to get my stuff to then drive out to AZ after Thanksgiving.

I am really sad to leave you. I have learned a lot here. I've had amazing experiences and met great people. I've changed and grown and shrunk. (I lost 30 lbs) I learned to love running here. I had my first boyfriend and first kiss here. I went to Europe from here. I was here for Spring, Summer, and Fall. You will always hold a special place in my heart. You helped me realize that nothing is impossible.

Thank you Gabriel for making the last 6.5 months possible! Thank you all that came and visited and let me be your tour guide. Thank you new friends for making me feel welcome here. Thank you Battery Park for patiently waiting as I worked up to my first mile. Thank you Shake Shack for the best burger I've ever had. Thank you F.A.O. Schwartz piano for never getting sick of me. Thank you subway for not always smelling like hobo pee. Thank you Central Park for Sunday afternoon walks. Thank NY you for the memories!

I have high hopes of coming back at least to visit, so I don't think this is goodbye forever.

I get it now.

Love,

Lydia