But ohmygod...the SUBURBS(!!). Exclamation marks, galore.
This past Saturday & Sunday we did a real tour de NYC 'burbs and ventured to both Rumson, NJ and Greenwich, CT. In Rumson, our great friends Dave & Marlena and their absolutely darling twin 10-mo old baby girls hosted us for the afternoon in their new home. The overhanging trees, pool patio and massive yard sure made me miss Pittsburgh but in a way that was very different than most pangs of nostalgia. (I wasnt missing my street/home/yard per say...but it made me miss what that Wexford space provided me. One where memories are based on family and the front door slams mean lots of kids running throughout the house.) I mean, there were literally birds chirping as we sat outside, fed the babies dinner, and cheers-ed to all the happiness we feel for Dave & Mar as they start this new chapter of their life as a family of 4. Later that evening, we headed down the road for a BBQ hosted by one of Lee's old bosses. Amazing food, dark & stormy(s), live band, great conversation and the most perfect summer moon. Saturdays really are the best.
And SUNDAY... well, Sunday gave this Saturday a run for its money. A bit over-hung from the previous night's festivities, we rallied and made our way out of the city for part 2 of the wknd...in Greenwich. Dropping Lee and the guys off at the golf club bright and early allowed for loads of time for winding exploration. Thank you Google Maps iPhone app. I made my way to downtown Greenwich Avenue and spent the late morning/early afternoon people watching at a cafe, crisscrossing the shops along the avenue (scoring some amazing deals!), and literally taking it all in. It was quiet yet full of people. It was clean, it was colorful, organized and vibrant all at the same time. It was condensed too, in a way that it still hung on to some desire to mimic its NYC neighbor. After my hours of retail therapy (totally justifiable when Zara sells a skirt you've been eyeing up for a month and is now on sale for $7.99), I made my way to meet Robin, a real estate broker. Yes, I went and saw town by posing as a potential buyer in Greenwich! She took me around to all the little neighborhood and nooks & cranny streets that constitute the town, pointing out homes for sale in our one-day pricerange which gave me such a good feel of what could be our reality. I found myself laughing internally about the questions I posed: "So tell me about the school district..." "What kind of resale value is there in back country Greenwich vs Old Greenwich?", etc etc. I'm so good at this! haha. After an hour or so, I thanked Robin for her time and found my way back to Innis Arden Golf Club to pick up the guys and head to an early dinner at one of their collegues homes. A gorgeous home on the water in Old Greenwich (it had a DOCK, and a tree swing, and neighbors who said hello to each other!). Beers, sandwiches and a quick trip down to the beach....welp, I was sold.
What a weekend. Greenwich, see you in a few years. For the time being....I am charged with living these moments fully, excited for all that is to come down the road and very appreciative of our *now* :)