thanksgiving eve: an affair to remember

As I mentioned here, I first fell in love with NYC through the movies.  I grew up watching musicals like Singing in the Rain and Easter Parade with my dad, utterly transfixed by the palpable energy of the city.  Another Fred Astaire film, Band Wagon, is one of my very favorites.*  I loved to sing and dance around our living room, pretending I was waltzing down Fifth Avenue.  As a young adult, films like Barefoot in the Park and An Affair to Remember cemented the deal.  I was in love with all things big city.

Husband, always the keen observer, knew this about me early on.  Fortunately for him, he missed my tap dance/voice/acting lessons phase.  *See musical adoration above.  Tip of the day: marginal talent will get you all of nowhere, but if you're having fun, by ALL means, indulge your hobbies!  And hey, if you take a tap dance class with a bunch of 7 year olds who are doing shuffle ball changes so fast it makes your head spin, try not to step on their sweet little toesies.  True story... sad, but true.

Thanksgiving Eve, 2005

When it came time to propose, Husband picked a NYC landmark only a movie buff like me could truly appreciate.  On Thanksgiving Eve, five years ago, he popped the question atop the Empire State Building.  What can I say, it was the perfect, romantic spot for a gal who can quote An Affair to Remember and Sleepless in Seattle on demand.  The building, flanked in history, will always be a special place to us.

This Thanksgiving Eve, five years later, Husband semi-surprised me
(I was on to him from the get go) with another visit to the famous skyscraper.  While the magic of NYC might not be as obvious anymore (especially when it's so easy to get caught up in the daily grind), moments like these are incredibly special.  Peeking out over the city, lit up from end to end, I was reminded once again of why I live here... why it's special, and why I don't take it for granted.  The same goes for Husband, who (I'll admit) doesn't get enough credit for being the thoughtful guy he is, but who is never, ever taken for granted.

Thanksgiving Eve, 2010

Clearly, things have changed a bit in five years... I have better taste in hats, for starters.  There's a cranky yet adorable little munchkin in the photo with us (the nostalgia & panoramic view were lost on her, unfortunately).  We've decided that this will be a new tradition for us - to go back to the Empire State Building every 5 years.  The visit brought back a little magic that I'd been missing, and I was reminded of the little girl who used to dance around in her living room, dreaming of bright lights and excitement.  To be able to share this city with a pretty fantastic guy, and now, our child, well... I forget how lucky I am sometimes.

PS:  Am I really wearing the same coat?  Good grief.  Time to go shopping.