Our Boston

If you've never read my blog, I'm going to let you in on a little known secret: I love Boston. There's so much to love about this city. It's clean. It's quiet. It's green. All that and it's still a city. A small city, but it's something. The past three years of my life are scattered around this city. In coffee shops, in independent movie theaters, in concert venues. The city turns into neighborhoods where college students live and in a different direction where families live. It's even greener and quieter. I see children I envy because they are growing up in such a fun and amazing city. There are cute dogs on every corner and cuter guys at every bookshop. But as context clues suggest, I am not a child and (unfortunately) not a dog. My Boston is different than their Boston.

Boston has character and is rich with history. It's filled with record stores, good eats, and is known as the place where I can entirely be me. I really came into myself in this city. A lot of firsts. First internship, first baseball game, first date. The first time I was away from home. The most important aspect of growing up that doesn't involve boys, graduating, or learning how to cook rice. Actually leaving home.

I never knew I wanted to live or be in Boston until I actually got here. I haven't really traveled a lot so being in a city away from home was exciting. Boston helped me more than even I could have ever predicted. Lately I've been feeling sick of Boston for reasons unknown. I've conquered the city and I've seen and done everything. It's this week, the week of the anniversary of the Boston Marathon bombings, that reminds me why I love this city. This city is united no matter what will happen. Yesterday when I was walking from the T (I commute, how very Boston of me) to my internship (which is on Boylston Street!!!!) the city was busy. It's Marathon week. The Adidas store is probably stocking up on Marathon merch. The Boston-inspired New Balance advertisements have started popping up. The city is coming together for something bigger than itself. 

I have assimilated into Boston culture these past three years. And by Boston culture I mean sports and pride. I was once clueless about sports, but now I actually have an understanding on how football works and how important the Patriots are to this area. I'm able to give tourists directions and understand the dreaded Boston accent. I can differentiate people who are actually from this area and people who are not. I've become part of it. 

Last year I wrote about where I was when the bombings happened. Even if I've grown sick of Boston it will always be there for me. It will be the city where I lived and grew the most. Last year I wrote I worked, played and explored Boston as my own city and how I can't imagine not being in Boston. That is still true and I love this small city all the same.