Today marks five years since I moved to New York City! To commemorate the occasion, I took a (literal) walk down memory lane (aka the length of Manhattan via Broadway) with some dear friends. Every few steps I’d pass a scene from my personal New York history: The apartment on 94th street where @hannahnixn and @tessaleighwilkes became my best friends and our bathroom ceiling caved in every few months. The movie theater on 84th where Coleman and I had our first date. Me and C’s first home on 75th. Steps on Broadway where I’ve joyfully made my return to dance after 9 years away. The avenues in the 60s and 70s where my girlfriends and I walk each other home after late nights spent chatting in one of our apartments. The studio space where I’ve greeted baby dancers clad in tutus before helping them toddle up three flights of stairs to class. The church where I have worshipped and wrestled with God. Central Park where Lucky is his happiest. Lincoln center and Times Square where I’ve been inspired by some of the greatest dancers and actors in the world. The 28th street subway stop where I left my phone on the train on the first day of my Dance Spirit internship. Building 333 where my mentors at Dance Media taught me how to be a professional writer. The doctors office where I was poked and prodded and filled with medications in hopes of healing. The ER where I spent the worst night of my life. Rockefeller Plaza where Coleman proposed to me. The Hudson River where we rode jet skis around the Statue of Liberty with some of our closest friends. My favorite restaurants, my favorite views, and so many of my favorite people. I swear I grew two inches when I moved to this city. 12 year old me would be so happy to hear that I made her dream come true, and it was every bit as wonderful as we thought it would be. Hooray to five years! For me it will always be, New York or nowhere 🤍