Check It Off My Bucket List

So, there I was on the corner of 27th and 7th in downtown New York City fighting the urge not to throw my arms in the air and start twirling around while shouting, “Look at me New York, I made it!”

It’s a silly thing, really. I was only in training for three days, walking to the Patch headquarters from my hotel in Chelsea, but I couldn’t help the little goofy smile that appeared on my face as I joined the hustle and bustle of the big city workers on their morning commute that Monday morning.

For me, just being there in that spot -- even if I was leaving in two days -- that was my moment. A moment, I have been waiting for for more than 20 years. And as I stood there waiting to cross the street, I couldn’t stop myself from turning to my new friends and fellow Patch editors and saying, “So, this is a moment for me. Someone quick take a picture!”

It was cheesy and only slightly embarrassing as jaded New Yorkers gave me their condescending look as I quickly posed with my coffee cup in hand, but I didn’t care. I had just checked off a huge box on my bucket list and in the age of technology, I wanted that memory saved.

Giggling like a little girl, I almost skipped the rest of the way to headquarters relieved and content that I had captured that smile, that face and that moment on camera.

As I age, I am recognizing that it is a rare thing to have our dreams and our realities collide, but when those moment happen, I'm learning to savor them, to grab hold of the moment and recognize it for what it is, so that I can truly appreciate it.

That 15-minute commute was my moment last week. And for three days, I lived my dream of being Carrie from Sex and the City and wandering New York with my three best girl pals.

It was only for three days and I was only in training, but I didn’t care. I was fulfilling a dream I have had since I was 15 years old -- a dream that I thought I would never see come to life which made it that more special for me.

Although I will never regret the choices I have made in my life or the path I did take, to get that chance to experience the four block walk, passing by historic buildings and the crazy lady yelling at the Heavens while watching the bored New Yorkers with their headphones on and admiring their incredible shoes - I can say that I have lived my dream.

Three days later, I came home, kissed my husband and kids and settled back into my routine. But as I feel asleep that night, I smiled to myself as I remembered where I had been - and that was enough.