In New York City there will always be an opportunity for you to attend a themed birthday party. I happened to be on the Alice in Wonderland one. Having a bit too many cocktails the past week, I decided to enjoy it sober, which meant indulging myself in a bit too many colorful chocolate-dipped strawberries picked from a hat-looking installation. Being sober while everyone was getting tipsy, made the chocolate strawberries more appealing to me then socializing.
While I was stuffing my mouth with treats, balancing on the edge of looking desperate and cute, this guy, let’s call him, Ali from Wonderland, was peeking in my direction from the other side of the room. Probably thinking, I haven’t seen sweets since I was chasing the white rabbit back when I was 6.
It took him some time to think of the suitable way to approach me, or maybe he didn’t want to interrupt my semi-secret chocolate-obsession moment.
5 strawberries later, he moved closer to the sweet portion of the table, and started with the safe opening – “It seems like you like those strawberries, are you from the city?”
I replied, a bit too honestly, with my mouth full, “I am on a dawiet, and todway is my cheat day”, and added, “no, I am a touwist.”
He laughed and encouraged me with his gesture to cheat some more, adding “so what made you travel to New York?”
“Nu Wowk is my favout city in de wowd. I’m in wov wiv it”, said the strawberry, dominating my answers in the moment.
The guy seemed impressed by my love to the city and the strawberries, and he wanted to know more, “When did you know you are in love with New York City?”
Here I was, straining my brain, looking for the answer… When did I know? Probably the sugar rush made it more difficult for me to think straight. But also, for some reason it felt important to pick the right moment, as it was like setting the date, we are going to celebrate our anniversary with my NYC.
I thought It might be even before I have ever been to New York. I was infatuated with an idea of it, with movies, bits and pieces of the lifestyle I desired to have. But that wasn’t a real love. It was only a dream about love. Then it struck me. I knew exactly when I “fell in love”. I remember precisely, how he looked like, and how he felt like to me on that day.
Here you go, my love story – me and my sweetest lover New York City.
It was cold, snowy Sunday, February 12. I took a bus from my ex-lover Harry, who resides in Boston. After one harsh “why can’t you forget about me” conversation. Crying for all 3 hours bus ride, hoping to heal in some warm rebound arms. And here he was. Dark, mysterious, unavailable, roughed up, just as I like my men to be. When did I know? Right there, at 8th Avenue, somewhere around Port Authority, that he, the NYC, is not only my next, but my ultimate crush.
I didn’t have to see his Statue of Liberty, his Upper East Side properties, and his Comedy Cellar sense of humor. I knew I don’t want to let him go. Even if I walk up and down the 8th Avenue, and watch that steam coming up from the underground for the whole time being with him, I would say yes.
He is the best storyteller and the best listener. With all his homeless ears, and rats’ eyes. He is fancy, he is casual, he is queer, he is rich, he is poor. He comforts me when I cry, entertains me when I am bored, and motivates my ass with the chilly wind, when I get lazy. He is all I ever dreamt of. Call me naïve, call me silly, but I am not going to let go of my sweet lover NYC.
“And this is my love story.”, I said with no more chocolate leftovers in my mouth, just some left on my lips.
Ali from Wonderland, was still staring at me, and his look intensified. He managed to ask – “I will buy you some more strawberries, and you keep eating and talking. How about next Friday?”
And this is how you score a date in NYC.
Tips for the girls – Eat something cute, talk about something you love.
Tips for the guys – Let the girl eat, let the girl talk some more.
Nice to meet me, my romantic side, who will always believe in big love, which turns me upside down, and even if it doesn’t last forever, it is changing my life forever.
I have appetite for 🍓🍫🍓🍫🍓🍫🍓🍫🍓🍫