Last week was the first time my mom got to see New York City. You know when you go on vacations and everything just works out? I’ve been on enough vacations that went sour to know that when a good vacation happens to live it up. A perfect memory you are living out in real time; that was our three days in New York. Perfect in every way.
The first time I saw the city I was 15. I was on a trip with my theatre group in high school — it was a mashup of kids from all different groups in high school. Basically we were the less talented cast of Glee but before that was a cool thing. However, we had one thing in common: we all wanted to go on a trip without our parents in a city larger than our small town brain’s could handle. This alone united us.
I remember the first time stepping out of the cab and onto Times Square, where our hotel would be just minutes from the TRL studio (this was a big deal back then, kids. trust me.) I remember the odd smells at every turn, the smoke from the street rising from the subway, hundreds of different faces going in hundreds of directions on just a few city streets. We saw broadway shows, toured Radio City, we saw the Statue of Liberty. We walked Central Park, ate hot dogs from a cart, sat on the lawns of NYU wondering what it would be like to be a student. At 15, I felt an energy from a place that I never knew existed. I’d grown up in a relatively quiet city that divided the safe on the west and the unsafe on the east. A place where you heard that the world ended at the edge of town. I never knew a place could make you feel inspired. Not until that day. I’ve loved that city ever since and I always swore to go back.
I went through a couple of routes of how I would get to New York when it was time. A cast member on SNL, an advertising executive, a broadway star. (At 15, talent, money and luck is not limited in your dreams.) Last week my route to New York was because I was speaking about writing a blog, something that didn’t exist when I was 15.
A few days ago, my mom stepped out of the cab and experienced the same thing I did 13 years prior: the city smells, the steam from the subway, the million different people moving in a million different directions. I watched her look all the way up to the top of the buildings and all the way back down to where we stood small. I took my mom to see a broadway show and she sat on the edge of her seat like a 15 year old girl, seeing a musical for the first time. We walked each street: 5th Avenue, Park, Broadway and took in whatever that block had to share. We watched people live in different ways than we ever have. We saw the Statue of Liberty and admired her gold crown. We walked Central Park and saw leaves fall from the trees.
I watched my mom’s eyes grow bigger each day. I never knew a place could take you back to being 15 again. But New York did and my mom swears she will be back again.
_____________
A kind thank you to the sweet and inspiring woman at Ladies’ Home Journal for letting me speak at your event. (And letting my mom crash the party, too.)
107 Responses
This is a very sweet blog Kendi. I hope your Mom knows how much the trip meant to you to have her by your side experiencing it all. I love reading your stories and just your simple everyday mundane happenings as well. It’s part of my daily routine. Thanks for all you do.
What a fun trip! So cool that you could share it with your mom! Such great memories! 🙂
Love this. Makes me want to take a trip with my momma!
ahaaaaaa, that’s sounds awesome
http://glamourgirl-bg.blogspot.com/2013/10/pumps.html
I love that you were able to share your experience with your mom! Sounds like you two had a great time together 🙂
xo,
katrina
thedemuremuse.com
So sweet that you had such a great time with your mom! And who knew Lubbock was THAT quiet! 😉
so great that you and your mom got to share all those moments. http://semiweeklyeats.blogspot.com/2013/10/mama-uniform.html
What a sweet post! You and your mama are so cute. I have not been to NYC since I was 16 and I know that EXACT feeling you’re talking about. That’s just how I remember it…we are the same age 🙂
welp, this made me cry. in a good way! but GODDAMN IT KENDI! <3 so glad you guys had a perfect trip!
That sounds like a perfect time!! <3
http://downtownhautefashion.blogspot.com
This brought me to tears. It is amazing thing to be able to give to our mothers. Glad the stars aligned for this.
What an amazing trip Kendi! Thanks for sharing!
http://www.topitoff-mel.blogspot.com
That is adorable! I’m so glad you got to share that with your Mom, Kendi! What a lovely experience for the both of you.
-Ash
http://www.thestylizedwannabe.com
Love this entry! I always love visiting NY and have been yearning to go back. Hopefully I’ll be able to do so sooner rather than later!
I would love to visit NYC in the fall!
xo Jennifer
http://seekingstyleblog.wordpress.com
Such a sweet story! The first time I went was last September when I was 21!! Such a great experience.
Carlee
Little Sloth
totally love this. felt the same way the first time i saw the city. how sweet that your mom was with you this time! i’d love to take my mom there too someday!
http://www.thismomsgonnasnap.com
This is lovely. I am a big fan of New York– and perfect vacations!
I’m crying… What a beautiful way to sum up a trip you’ll always remember!
What a fun trip! So cool that you could share it with your mom! Such great memories! 🙂
Omigosh that made me cry. Do you know how lucky you are to have a close relationship with your mother? She should be very proud.
Love this. Makes me want to take a trip with my momma!
I love this! Thanks for sharing your heart and your experience. I only lived in New York for a bit, but I am still convinced it is the most magical place ever. I’m so glad your mom got a chance to experience it!
ahaaaaaa, that's sounds awesome
http://glamourgirl-bg.blogspot.com/2013/10/pumps.html
I love that you were able to share your experience with your mom! Sounds like you two had a great time together 🙂
Awww, this sounds amazing. My mom and I did this last year when I was living in SF. We toured SF and then flew to NY and saw a play on Broadway. It’s a trip we’ll never forget. So glad you had so much time with you mom! Beautiful photos!
So sweet that you had such a great time with your mom! And who knew Lubbock was THAT quiet! 😉
so great that you and your mom got to share all those moments. http://semiweeklyeats.blogspot.com/2013/10/mama-uniform.html
What a sweet post! You and your mama are so cute. I have not been to NYC since I was 16 and I know that EXACT feeling you're talking about. That's just how I remember it…we are the same age 🙂
welp, this made me cry. in a good way! but GODDAMN IT KENDI! <3 so glad you guys had a perfect trip!
love this post! sounds like a great time with your mama! and she’s gorgeous too
xxoo,
nikki
http://www.dreaminneon.blogspot.com
check out my chloe + isabel giveaway!
That sounds like a perfect time!! <3
http://downtownhautefashion.blogspot.com
This brought me to tears. It is amazing thing to be able to give to our mothers. Glad the stars aligned for this.
What an amazing trip Kendi! Thanks for sharing!
http://www.topitoff-mel.blogspot.com
That is adorable! I'm so glad you got to share that with your Mom, Kendi! What a lovely experience for the both of you.
-Ash
http://www.thestylizedwannabe.com
I’ve always wanted to go to Serendipity… Ahh… fabulous!
Hope
hchdesigns.blogspot.com
Love this entry! I always love visiting NY and have been yearning to go back. Hopefully I'll be able to do so sooner rather than later!
Please share your thoughts on Big Fish. I’m so eager to see it if I can manage to get to NYC before it closes.
I would love to visit NYC in the fall!
xo Jennifer
http://seekingstyleblog.wordpress.com
Such a sweet story! The first time I went was last September when I was 21!! Such a great experience.
Carlee
Little Sloth
totally love this. felt the same way the first time i saw the city. how sweet that your mom was with you this time! i'd love to take my mom there too someday!
http://www.thismomsgonnasnap.com
This is lovely. I am a big fan of New York– and perfect vacations!
I'm crying… What a beautiful way to sum up a trip you'll always remember!
I’m really glad you had a fabulous time with your mom. It seems you two have a really good relationship and at the end of the day, that’s all that matters
♥
http://www.cutegirlypink.wordpress.com
Omigosh that made me cry. Do you know how lucky you are to have a close relationship with your mother? She should be very proud.
I love this! Thanks for sharing your heart and your experience. I only lived in New York for a bit, but I am still convinced it is the most magical place ever. I'm so glad your mom got a chance to experience it!
Awww, this sounds amazing. My mom and I did this last year when I was living in SF. We toured SF and then flew to NY and saw a play on Broadway. It's a trip we'll never forget. So glad you had so much time with you mom! Beautiful photos!
love this post! sounds like a great time with your mama! and she's gorgeous too
xxoo,
nikki
http://www.dreaminneon.blogspot.com
check out my chloe + isabel giveaway!
I've always wanted to go to Serendipity… Ahh… fabulous!
Hope
hchdesigns.blogspot.com
Please share your thoughts on Big Fish. I'm so eager to see it if I can manage to get to NYC before it closes.
Wow NYC I would like to visit it once in my life
http://tarragonain.blogspot.com.es
I'm really glad you had a fabulous time with your mom. It seems you two have a really good relationship and at the end of the day, that's all that matters
♥
http://www.cutegirlypink.wordpress.com
I want to visit NYC so bad! It sounds awesome 🙂
Ah, it’s been too long since I’ve been back! This post made me want to plan a trip.
http://www.workthatbump.com
looks like you had a good time
such a touching story kendi. the way you feel about NYC is the way i feel about paris, so it was just incredible having my mom there with me for the first time last november.
Molly {Dreams in HD}
http://dreamsinhd.blogspot.com/
AW!
What an amazing experience for your mom. I’ve never been to New York but I can imagine me looking like her. Glad you guys had such a wonderful and special time.
Hope to see you tomorrow for my weekly tres-chic fashion thursday link up.
Agi:)
vodkainfusedlemonade.com
Wow NYC I would like to visit it once in my life
http://tarragonain.blogspot.com.es
I love New York City, and love watching people experience New York City for the first time. I hope I can take my own mom there one day. Beautiful post!
Lovely post. I JUST wrote about my upcoming trip to NYC in two weeks — this is upping my already high excitement. Glad you had such a great time with your pretty mama! 🙂
xo, Lily on Fillmore
This post brought tears to my eyes. You captured every moment perfectly. Love this!
Now I want to go more than ever. It sounds like magic.
xo Ashley
thetiniestfirecracker.com
I want to visit NYC so bad! It sounds awesome 🙂
Ah, it's been too long since I've been back! This post made me want to plan a trip.
http://www.workthatbump.com
looks like you had a good time
such a touching story kendi. the way you feel about NYC is the way i feel about paris, so it was just incredible having my mom there with me for the first time last november.
Molly {Dreams in HD}
http://dreamsinhd.blogspot.com/
it is such a great city. i want to go back!
AW!
KENDI, my GOODNESS, this post was just so exceptionally well written! You captured NYC in a nutshell… it’s everything to me that you wrote. It’s so magical getting to experience it again, even if it was through words 🙂 New York is honestly just the most wonderful place, so happy you got to experience it with your mom! And you look so much like her!
http://perpetuallycaroline.blogspot.com
What an amazing experience for your mom. I've never been to New York but I can imagine me looking like her. Glad you guys had such a wonderful and special time.
Hope to see you tomorrow for my weekly tres-chic fashion thursday link up.
Agi:)
vodkainfusedlemonade.com
I love New York City, and love watching people experience New York City for the first time. I hope I can take my own mom there one day. Beautiful post!
NYC always works out. It’s just that great. So glad you had a blast with your mom! 🙂
Your memories of NYC are so spot on! I just love how you mentioned TRL! I talk about it all the time and people look at me like I’m insane for missing it so much.
The Purse Snatcher
Aw, I LOVED this!
The first time I went to NY was at 17, also with a Glee type of choir group. We were also at a hotel blocks away from TRL, and I concur–it was a HUGE deal!
Lovely post. I JUST wrote about my upcoming trip to NYC in two weeks — this is upping my already high excitement. Glad you had such a great time with your pretty mama! 🙂
xo, Lily on Fillmore
This post brought tears to my eyes. You captured every moment perfectly. Love this!
Now I want to go more than ever. It sounds like magic.
xo Ashley
thetiniestfirecracker.com
it is such a great city. i want to go back!
You are a really good writer, Kendi 🙂 I always enjoy reading your posts as much as your fashion ideas. It’s rare to find great writers on fashion blogs. You are definitely one of them!
KENDI, my GOODNESS, this post was just so exceptionally well written! You captured NYC in a nutshell… it's everything to me that you wrote. It's so magical getting to experience it again, even if it was through words 🙂 New York is honestly just the most wonderful place, so happy you got to experience it with your mom! And you look so much like her!
http://perpetuallycaroline.blogspot.com
Love it, Kendi. I’ve been to NYC a few times, but my husband never has and I’m excited to share it with him like you shared it with your mom. He’s a small town boy through and through, so I know it will be a change for him. I hope he likes it!
I´ve only been once in my life there but I´m still in love with the city ! wish i could go back
great snaps
mariana
http://www.snappingbeautiful.blogspot.com
NYC always works out. It's just that great. So glad you had a blast with your mom! 🙂
Your memories of NYC are so spot on! I just love how you mentioned TRL! I talk about it all the time and people look at me like I'm insane for missing it so much.
The Purse Snatcher
Aw, I LOVED this!
The first time I went to NY was at 17, also with a Glee type of choir group. We were also at a hotel blocks away from TRL, and I concur–it was a HUGE deal!
You are a really good writer, Kendi 🙂 I always enjoy reading your posts as much as your fashion ideas. It's rare to find great writers on fashion blogs. You are definitely one of them!
Love it, Kendi. I've been to NYC a few times, but my husband never has and I'm excited to share it with him like you shared it with your mom. He's a small town boy through and through, so I know it will be a change for him. I hope he likes it!
I´ve only been once in my life there but I´m still in love with the city ! wish i could go back
great snaps
mariana
http://www.snappingbeautiful.blogspot.com
You are such a gifted writer. Don’t ever stop.
You are such a gifted writer. Don't ever stop.
This was such a wonderful post to read, Kendie! I’ve been living in New York for a year and my first time being in the city ever was actually when I moved last August. I remember being so excited and happy to be in the city where “dreams come true” but found myself feeling very irritated in Manhattan after a while. Reading this reminded me of how full of magic New York really is!
Melanie
http://www.laceandcombatboots.com
This was such a wonderful post to read, Kendie! I've been living in New York for a year and my first time being in the city ever was actually when I moved last August. I remember being so excited and happy to be in the city where "dreams come true" but found myself feeling very irritated in Manhattan after a while. Reading this reminded me of how full of magic New York really is!
Melanie
http://www.laceandcombatboots.com
I’ve been dying to go back to New York City recently and my husband keeps asking me why I love it so much. I couldn’t really put it into words, besides “Streets. People. Food. More foods. Street foods. Museums. Shopping. Buildings.” This blog post right here? This is EXACTLY it. This was so beautifully written and captures my love for NYC so perfectly. You are a beautiful lady and a beautiful writer.
I've been dying to go back to New York City recently and my husband keeps asking me why I love it so much. I couldn't really put it into words, besides "Streets. People. Food. More foods. Street foods. Museums. Shopping. Buildings." This blog post right here? This is EXACTLY it. This was so beautifully written and captures my love for NYC so perfectly. You are a beautiful lady and a beautiful writer.
Aw this made me tear up! What a great description of a wonderful place!
Such a great description of the city! I can’t wait to go back!
Aw this made me tear up! What a great description of a wonderful place!
Such a great description of the city! I can't wait to go back!
I love visiting New York! Definitely want to go back someday. Such a nice trip for you and your mom! Love the photos!
http://www.hiteastyle.com
I love visiting New York! Definitely want to go back someday. Such a nice trip for you and your mom! Love the photos!
http://www.hiteastyle.com
I’ve lived in NYC for 9 years and your post still gave me goosebumps. Thanks for reminding me why I live here 😉
I've lived in NYC for 9 years and your post still gave me goosebumps. Thanks for reminding me why I live here 😉
i love this story. new york city is my favourtie place on earth. I’ve been there twice, both as an adult, and both within a few months of each other. i need to go back. a few of my life dreams include this city….one that i’m truly proud of and can’t wait to have it happen one day, to spend Christmas in nyc….one day!
i love this story. new york city is my favourtie place on earth. I've been there twice, both as an adult, and both within a few months of each other. i need to go back. a few of my life dreams include this city….one that i'm truly proud of and can't wait to have it happen one day, to spend Christmas in nyc….one day!
I got teary eyed reading that post, Kendi. I’m a New York born and bred and I know we take it for granted. Our girls have danced on broadway and I swear it didn’t seem like a “big deal” until I stood back and realized this is some kids dream. Tomorrow I’ll grab the kids jump on the train and head to times square I will have a more appreciative view. Thanks sweetie and thank your mom too!
I got teary eyed reading that post, Kendi. I'm a New York born and bred and I know we take it for granted. Our girls have danced on broadway and I swear it didn't seem like a "big deal" until I stood back and realized this is some kids dream. Tomorrow I'll grab the kids jump on the train and head to times square I will have a more appreciative view. Thanks sweetie and thank your mom too!