Hittin' The Beach

Brigantine holds such a part of my heart and I was ecstatic that we finally made plans to go. I wish so much that we'd made that a tradition each summer but I'll take what I can get.

Meeting new friends isn't something we've had to worry a lot with during our time in New York which is such an incredible thing when you think about. We've talked a trillion times about the wonderful people in our lives and how extremely lucky we are to have them. I know that we're both open minded, always, to new things but we haven't 'needed' to find new friends because we've been that blessed. After struggling deeply with dealing with Diane each day at work, it was like angels were singing when Rachel got hired. I couldn't have known that we'd grow a friendship with her, and then Suzanne, and find two new friends that will be in our lives forever. I wouldn't have wanted any other people to join me that weekend in Brigantine and I mean that sincerely.

I love to look at these photos because it brings me right back to such a fun weekend together. Getting to show you the places I've been to many times and where so many memories have taken place was SO much fun for me, particularly going to Andre's for cheesesteaks:

I'm drooling right now.

Ahhh, ye olde liquor store:

While it may have been a billion degrees out, I couldn't have been happier spending the day on the beach. I was so excited to take a dip in the pool after being out there all afternoon but, welp, so much for that:

Obviously, you know how much I love dive bars so our night out at Laguna kicked ass, in my opinion:

I swear, I could go right back there immediately. There's nothing like getting out of the city and being in a place where eating lunch in a restaurant without a shirt on is basically the only way to be. 

Unsurpassed Joy

Oh boy, how do I even begin this one...?

Marathon Sunday. The single greatest day in New York City, above all. From our very first glimpse of it back in 2006, we were both affected, moved and in awe:

I know I speak for both of us in saying we'll never forget that afternoon. I think in a lot of ways, the stirring we felt was the beginning of what would be an individual running journey for both of us. A journey that would take us to one day running that very New York City Marathon. I get chills thinking about it even now. All the years we've spent supporting others would be leading us to being the stars of the show. It's amazing to me the way that life happens. I could never have dreamt that either of us would be wearing that bib so proudly and running down that exact street five years later. Wow Allison, what a feat to have accomplished.

I know I've said it a bunch but I'll never get the image out of my mind watching you start out on marathon day. Sun shining, people cheering, music playing...it was tremendous. I looked over at you and I don't think I've ever seen such joy exuding from you before. At a time where I thought I'd be the one happily encouraging you, the roles were totally reversed and it was quite unexpected for me. It was a moment I'll never forget though and one where I sort of felt like the older sister for once, watching my younger, more carefree sister bounce along the Verrazano Bridge without a care. I wish I could explain to people what it felt like to watch you accomplish something seemingly impossible for you after the struggle with your knee(s). 

I'm so glad we could start the race together and even run as long as we did side by side. I know we both want to cry not having photos along the way and, more than that, knowing we finished only minutes apart from each other. However, I think I might have taken beginning the race with one another over finishing it because it symbolized so much even crossing the start line. Hours and miles and sweat and tears brought us to that point and I almost feel that finishing on our own was the end to our personal journey. It was powerful. 

The kickoff to race day begins! This is just so exciting to look through again:

No better place on earth to carbo load:

There are no other words to express what is true, rich, full, sincere, unsurpassed joy:

Oh my goodness, do I feel elated looking back through these and thinking of race day. Allison, WE FINISHED THE NEW YORK CITY MARATHON:

There just aren't words, really. Once we finally got our asses home and showered, it was high time for the biggest and best celebration in history with the people we love most. I'll be wearing a permanent smile on my face forever because of this night:

Finishers, yeeeeeeah:

So. Much. Freaking. Fun. I can hardly stand it:

Amazing that Bryan could be there:

My wonderful Hog:

Yep, this sums up the night perfectly and I'd have it no other way:

My oh my, what a truly remarkable day and night that was. Sometimes I do wonder whether I'll be in that position again but there's plenty of time to think about that... We'll be hard pressed to find something that tops this, dude. All I know is I happily look forward to trying!

Lobsterfest

After last year's 4th of July, I'm actually sad I didn't spend more of them in New York. However, we didn't know Jeff and Suzanne before so I guess it wouldn't have mattered, ha! As I've said before, there's no way to capture all of the awesome times we've had with them but I really really loved lobsterfest. I can't believe at that point I'd never eaten a full lobster like that and now I've broken them down a bunch of times. It's like old hat, tee hee. Seriously though, I was truly shocked at how Suzanne outdid herself that night with those lobsters. It was so much fun walking in and seeing all her prep. I still feel sad seeing those guys go into the pot:

Man, I miss their place:

OOO:

She's adorable:

I swear, that was a perfect night. I can't believe I didn't eat a bite of anything but the lobster. Oh wait, I ate bread (of course) but it's still amazing that one lobster filled me up. I wish so much we could all be together again this 4th for round two of lobsterfest. This time, I'D plan the menu... ;)

Two For Two

Seriously dude, I keep trying to find ways not to say "this was the most awesome time, ever" and it's so hard! We just have too much damn fun and I ain't even complaining about it being tough to write about. Obviously, anything to do with running together is going to be at the top of my list for favorite memories. There is something so deeply special about the moments we've shared when it comes to running challenges and I will cherish these times forever.

The Brooklyn half marathon is most certainly one of the greatest days we've had. Both of us did so well on that race and I was so proud of you for hanging in there with your knees. I know it wasn't easy for you but you finished strong and fast which was so amazing. I'm nearly as proud of you for running Brooklyn as I am the marathon... That morning really started off exciting, especially given that we began it with Team Bevitori:

I should've run with my camera, boooo. At any rate, I absolutely love the finishing photos:

Yeeeeeeah:

Ok, let's really get serious for a second. There couldn't possibly have been a better celebration after the race starting right there on Coney Island. I'm not a big fan of the word but only one describes the day and night...EPIC:

The real shenanigans begin:

Hahahaha, I will love this forever:

Damn hog, that was a good day. We may not have remembered the rest of the night but we sho' know how to do it up. We really are badasses. (PS - Joel really is cute. Damn.)