I did not find my friends...

I am grateful for a lot of things, because God has filled my life with more blessings than I could ever deserve. But today, I am especially grateful for my friends.

Ralph Waldo Emerson said, "I did not find my friends; the good God gave them to me." What a beautiful reminder that the cherished friendships in my life came directly from the hand of God. Because of God's goodness, I am able to experience his unconditional love, grace, forgiveness, encouragement and joy in a tangible, human form.

God, in his infinite wisdom, also knows the exact right people and right timing to place my friends in my life. Although things have been tracking wonderfully here in New York, and I'm right where I want to be, I've had a bit of a sinking spell over the last couple weeks. God's perfect provision knew what I needed, though, and he sent me Erin and Jennifer this weekend. :) We've had it planned for a long time, but I had no idea how much I would need to see them this very weekend.

And what a joy it was!! I have loved my time in New York for the new experiences, new friendships, new opportunities, but sometimes it is just so sweet to have a taste of the old and familiar. Erin, Jen and I got to spend a few short days together...we did a little shopping, a lot of eating, and even more talking and catching up. I was overwhelmed by God's goodness to me that he demonstrated to me through them - two caring, wise friends who provided the exact encouragement I needed at the exact right time. We had a wonderful weekend in the city, and I am sad to see them go.

So this is my tribute to my friends...not just Erin and Jen, but to all of you - old and new friends; friends from Atlanta, New York and other places; friends I email with, friends I play phone tag with, friends who send me snail mail; friends who make me laugh and friends who comfort me when I cry...As my Facebook profile (haha) says, "I have the wisest, kindest, most encouraging friends who show me glimpses of the Lord's character everyday."

Thank you for being my friend.

"Two are better than one because then they have a good return for their labor. For if either of them falls, the one will lift up his companion. But woe to the one who falls when there is not another to lift him up...And if one can overpower him who is alone, two can resist him. A cord of three strands is not quickly torn apart."
Ecclesiastes 4:9-10,12

One singular sensation

"I meet somebody and they say to me, 'Wow, you dance on Broadway! How fabulous! You got somewhere. You're something.' And I get this feeing inside because I remember when I used to stand outside of that stage door and watch all these girls come out of there, with their eyelashes and their make-up and I'd think, 'I'll never be that old. I'll never be old enough to come out of that stage door.' But deep down inside I knew I would...and I've come this far and I'm not giving up now."
Diana, A Chorus Line

Tonight I was lucky enough to go see a preview of A Chorus Line with Dori (a sweet friend who happens to book talent for Good Morning America...lucky me!). Having seen a fair share of Broadway shows, I must say that this was one of my most memorable experiences. There was so much energy in the room, I don't think I can count on my hands and feet the number of spontaneous applauses! And during the final number, "One" (...singular sensation, every little step she takes...), with the orchestra playing that familiar melody, the cast clad in sparkly gold costumes and top hats, the giant mirror behind them and the ever-famous kickline, it just brought tears to my eyes (hard to do, right?)!

But perhaps it wasn't just the fine New York moment of watching a play about a Broadway chorus line on Broadway, or the beautiful costumes or the catchy finale that drew tears from my eyes. Oh I'm sure that was part of it, but I think the greater factor was the moving show itself...the plot, the lines, the songs. If you haven't seen it, A Chorus Line is all about a group of 17 aspiring Broadway dancers who have big dreams of success. Throughout the play, you get to know each of them...you learn their stories, how they fell in love with dance, and how they got to where they are in the audition.

Through lines like the one above, I was reminded of how blessed I am to be where I am now. It's been a tough road getting here, and things have been far from perfect, but when it comes down to it, I am living my dream...a dream I would have never imagined would actually come to fruition. I am doing what I was created to do, living where I was created to live (at least for a while!). It can be so easy for me to get caught up in the busyness and stress and disappointments, and to let the joys of day-to-day life get overshadowed. Even as much as I love living here, as evidenced by this very blog, I'll admit that there have been days when I wonder if I made the right decision to move to New York, and I begin to question everything. But when it's all said and done, I am where I always knew I'd be, and it is pretty fabulous..."I've come this far and I'm not giving up now."

Love letter

Dear New York,

Well, we’ve been seeing each other for quite awhile now. I got my first crush on you when I was eleven years old, but I was just a child then. Who knew where life would take us? We continued to date on and off throughout the years, but I was always afraid to commit…you were just too much, too scary, too far. I knew it would never be an easy road, me and you…that we would have to work and fight for our relationship through the distance, the cold, the bitterness…and the timing was just never right for me.

But then last year, you began to win me over. Oh, I tried to fight it. I talked myself out of a relationship with you over and over again. We flirted fairly consistently while I dated my other boyfriend, Atlanta, and finally I began to see that after 12 years of fighting it, it was finally time to give you a chance. So after much heartache, tears and confusion, I broke up with the other and truly committed to you for the first time in my life.

And what a journey we have been on so far. They say when you know, you know…and I knew right from the start. “I knew the way you know about a good melon.” (sorry, When Harry Met Sally quote) The first three months have been, for the most part, sheer bliss…romantic evenings, fabulous dates to the theater, restaurants and the park, lovely sunny weekends roaming around together. Why did I battle a relationship with you for so long?!

But I must say, the honeymoon is winding down. It’s been raining for days now, can’t you make it stop? A very nasty woman yelled at me on the subway today, too, and I did not appreciate that. And wouldn’t it be possible for me to go to a restaurant every now and then that will serve me free refills?? But those things are just mere lovers’ quarrels, I suppose…after all, nobody’s perfect.

So this, New York, is my love letter to you. You have been faithful to me through my highs and lows throughout the years, and now I am finally yours and you are mine. I must warn you, though…someday I will have to leave you, for I know in the end, Atlanta (“the ex”) will be the one for me. But what a fling it will be…and when the time comes, we can still see each other long-distance, right?

xoxo,
Jamie

Carrie: “You’re never alone in New York…it’s the perfect place to be single. The City is your date.”
Miranda: “You’re dating the City?”
Carrie: “About eighteen years...We’re getting serious, I think I’m in love.”

A family visit

Mom and Dad got to visit this past week! They came up to see me + celebrate their 30th anniversary.
They arrived on Saturday, and we toured my neighborhood (UES) as well as the Park and the UWS. Saturday evening we headed down to the Financial District for dinner at Salud, one of my favorite Cuban restaurants. Sunday we began to run into some small hitches to the trip, though...for one, it poured rain (as it did on Tuesday). Two, I got sick. :( I was especially disappointed because I am never sick, but I had to spend almost a full two days in bed. So sad! Their trip was great overall, though...they got to go to the US Open tennis tournament for two days, we went to see a Broadway play (Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, which was fabulous), they visited my church, and a lot more. A great week, even with the weather and the cold.

I haven't been very good about posting pictures, so here are some pictures from their week up here!