It's been a month, but I still can't stop thinking about my trip to NYC.
It was amazing and beautiful.
Despite some minor bumps (like getting on the wrong subway by myself), some of the most incredible things happened that made the trip magical.
The one thing that made the trip for me were the people I met.
First, I met Juan Antonio from the Bronx.
I went to the Manhattan temple and while there, Juan came right up to me, introduced himself and asked me about myself. There was just something so amazingly sweet about him and he just exuded happiness. It was truly infectious. He helped me realize that despite the craziness surrounding the city (and life) there is happiness and a simplicity that we can have, if we want it.
Then, I met Anne (or lovingly referred to as "Apple Annie").
Us girls went to the Shake Shack for dinner and while we hovered for a table, Anne beat us. Instead of using the entire booth for herself, she invited us to join her so we didn't have to wait forever. While eating with her, we all shared stuff about ourselves and she told us all about her life in the city. Apple Annie was SPECTACULAR. There are times in your life when you feel a connection to someone and I felt it for her. Luckily we exchanged phone numbers and are now pen pals.
I also got to meet/spend time with my cousin-in-law (the King's cousin) Jenn, my brother-in-law Jake and his girlfriend (who I have a massive girl crush on) Hannah. Even though I had never met Jenn before, she made me feel right at home and it was like we've known each other for years. She helped prove to me that I have married into an incredibly loving family and I am so fortunate. Jake and Hannah were my protectors and guides to Brooklyn. They made sure I didn't get too lost and more importantly, that I didn't die. Also, they fed me some fantastic food. If anything, Jenn, Hannah and Jake made me miss them and want to be around them more.
The last person was Lindsay, with an "A".
Laurel and I were headed home to the airport and decided to take the subway system.
With the hurricane Sandy damage, a lot of the trains have been rerouted and Laurel and I were confused about one of the stops because we misread a sign. Then we saw Lindsay with her suitcase, so we just decided to follow her. But I had to still double check that we were headed in the right direction, so I decided to do the unthinkable and just ask Lindsay if she was headed to JFK. She was and the rest of the hour and a half ride to the airport was filled with us getting to know her, her love for her sisters and he future with her boyfriend she was going to visit.
I may never see Juan, Anne and Lindsay again, but they really did change my life. They helped me renew my hope in complete strangers and that people really are good. That New York is really not as scary as people make it out to be. People are helpful, not murders and even though the city never sleeps, it is beautiful in the morning and the night even without beautiful sleep.
Until next time New York.
-Love, Kaylee
