Departure

Hello, Baltimore. I'm currently sitting in front of the large glass window at the airport, overlooking the runway. I found an outlet to charge my phone and I'm sitting several feet across from Auntie Anne's. Perfect.

I've got another 2 hours to kill until my next flight to New York, so why not settle somewhere comfy and snack on a sour cream & onion pretzel? ;)

I'm traveling alone, but I'll be with relatives once I land in New York.

New York. I've always wanted to go there. Ever since I was a child, I dreamed of gracing the busy streets of New York. I delighted in the colorful glittering lights that pretty much sum up New York's nightlife. The thought of being surrounded by glistening skyscrapers, traffic, bustling pedestrians, and a unique flurry of cultures really excited me. I HAD to go there, at least once in my life.

Now who would've thought that in 2 hours, I'd actually be on the plane to the Big Apple, the city of my dreams? The city I idolized as a kid, the city bursting with so much life, the city I would've migrated to in a heartbeat (if I was financially capable, of course).

It feels surreal. I was so excited until about a week ago, when my boyfriend's mom passed away. That switched something in me. Suddenly, living a valuable life free from regrets seemed more important than anything else in the world. It even overshadowed my excitement for New York; my initial purpose of going to New York was to have fun, see as much of New York as I could and take tons of pictures. But as the week progressed, I wanted this trip to be more than just a fun travel experience; I wanted this trip to be purposeful, insightful and memorable.

I wanted to be emotionally ready for such a journey. Embarking on this trip is a big deal for me because I didn't think I'd have the means to go there this summer, but God stepped in and opened a door. I wouldn't have gone otherwise.

I'm excited about finally being able to see New York, but I'm nervous because a part of me's a little intimidated by the vastness of it. I'm all about making moments count, so let's hope I'll return not just with souvenirs and pictures, but with beautiful memories that can't be replaced.