My sister Hadley graduated from college at Fairfield University in Connecticut this past weekend, so we used the occasion as an excuse to make a mini-vacation out of it. Her campus is just a quick train ride from NYC, so we stayed in Times Square with the girls and made it back in time to explore the city after the ceremonies. It was Orlando’s first time in the big apple, so we did a fun mix of touristy and hidden gem excursions. At the risk of overloading you with pictures, I just wanted to proudly share that my ENTIRE family was all together for the first time in a LONG time. Here’s the full count if you’re keeping track:
My mom Marianne and my dad Clint.
My sister Kelsey and her husband Jeff.
My brother Corbin and his fiancé Jess.
My sister Hadley.
My sister Tenley.
My brother Keenan.
Orlando, Cora, Issa, and I.
That’s 12 people in all that made the trip to see Hadley walk across the stage, and we had a great time! All the details with photos to prove it are to follow…
The first day we all met up in NYC at varying times based on our flight schedules. Our little unit ended up being the last to arrive, which made it quite dramatic to walk into Grand Central Station and see your family for the first time in a few months. The girls were so happy to see all their Aunts and Uncles, and my dad hadn’t actually seen Issa walk in person yet. We FaceTime with everyone often enough that it didn’t take Cora long to feel at home, and we began exploring the city right away. No rest for the weary, as they say!
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We briskly walked Manhattan, took a carriage ride in Central Park, and strolled along The High Line before dinner. Hadley introduced us to the Chelsea Market, an indoor urban market filled with indie shops, foodie restaurants, and hip New Yorkers buzzing all around. This amazing French clock is at the heart of it, all lit up for a perfect photo opp. Of course my photography skills are limited, but it was worth a shot nonetheless! And don’t judge us if we look a little scruffy, we’d been up since 4 am that morning!
The next day we woke up to take the train down to Connecticut for the graduation ceremony, of which only six of us were able to actually get tickets for. #BigFamilyProbs. Not to be deterred from a good time, we all met up at Terrain, a restaurant/plant nursery in the heart of the quaint little town. I will say I was not prepared for how fancy Connecticut was. I knew the East Coast reputation and the rumors about the people’s demeanors, but our loud and rambunctious family felt quite out of place in such a prim and proper setting. Ha!
The girls played in the gardens their plethora of babysitters for the weekend while we enjoyed quinoa salads and carrot ginger soup. Hadley then took us on a quick tour of her college town, and we ended the afternoon by the beach along Long Island Sound. A quick train ride back, this time with Nana in tow to keep us company the rest of trip, and we made it for dinner at Michael Jordan’s restaurant in Grand Central Station. When we returned to the hotel that evening, Mom made the great suggestion that Orlando and I should walk the Brooklyn Bridge on our own that evening to take in the city skyline lights while she and the girls got an early bedtime. If you know my mom at all, you know this was her idea of the PERFECT evening. 🙂
It’s so bittersweet how our family’s growth makes it so much harder for us all to get together. But when we do, especially when it’s for a happy milestone in one of our lives, it means that much more to us. We have weddings and babies coming up this summer and fall, and I can’t wait to see our brood just keep on expanding. It’s a testament to my parents that they make it a priority to keep us all first and foremost in their lives. And we’re all so proud of Hadley for earning her degree despite athletic injuries, transfers, and a tough field of study that not everyone makes it through. I hope we made her weekend more special since she got to show us around NYC and let us see this side of her that we all hear so much about!
The photo above is my new favorite. Like in the history of ever. It was so much fun to be in a city I’ve visited so many times; but to see it through the fresh perspective of my sweet husband was the best. The things he noticed, the moments he was in awe, it was just so wonderful to be there with him and watch his reactions to the city that never sleeps. More photos to come on Friday, but for now I’ll leave you with that tearjerker of a snapshot! 🙂
XO,
A
