It took me only more than 30 years before I set foot in New York. Many people wondered why since like many others, I was quite footloose.
Five years ago or so I wrote Dinna, that’s her real name, that I planned of going to New York the following year. Well I happened to tell everybody that except life and living gets in the way. Dinna loves her city and I always imagined the places that she photographed and shared in her blog. I wanted to walk and dine at the places she’s written about. Just like the fountain in Bryant Park.
So when I wrote to her that I will finally be visiting in between the holidays we arranged to meet in person. She offered that she could meet me anywhere but I thought I’d see her in a place she’s very familiar with. I too have made special attention to my directions whenever my friend Myla and I would go around. It wasn’t a hard place to find and it is at the center of things.
The night I arrived in New York on our way to see the Rockettes a family of three hopped on our bus. I thought the lady and her son looked familiar. I couldn’t help but glance at her hoping that she would recognize me too from the pictures in my blog. But how could she, I must have gained a hundred pounds from those pictures and no way look close to those images. When I asked her when we met, she said she was wondering why the lady by the window kept looking at her. I didn’t have the nerve then to introduce myself or asked if she was the person I was meeting that coming Friday.
We agreed to meet at Celsius. It was perfect. There were many things to keep me busy while I waited. I visited the front part of the NYC Library and then walked my way to the Christmas market at the back. You saw the pictures of the fountain, then later I watched the skaters at The Pond.
We were there before the restaurant opened. When I saw her I knew right away who she was and we talked like we’ve been friends forever. Dinna is a writer, she is one of those people who puts her mind and heart in everything she does, so she does everything excellently well. She has the brain of a lawyer and the heart of an artist. In the many years that I have been following her blog, I could tell she’s got a soft heart and her values are in the right places. She’d put her faith and family first above all else. Lucky is the person whose life she touches.
Myla told me to meet her in Station F. After lunch Dinna walked me to the subway station and didn’t leave until she was sure that I will be safe. She even took extra measures to check if my friend was at the station at the other side. She told me that their subway is not the safest after two separate incidents that happened a week before my visit and a couple of days while I was there, when two deranged people pushed innocent passengers to the tracks. Her concern and presence was very comforting and I was very grateful.
This is one reason why I love to blog. I have met some very interesting and intelligent people here. After Ai, Loy, Mark, Lynette and Therese, Dinna would be the sixth. Seventh if I would count Beth but hers happened in the reverse, I met her through her sister Loy and then we followed each other in our blogs briefly before they closed. With no exception, I feel as close to them as the ones I knew for many many years, they are almost like family.
Thanks Dinna for spending time with me. Hopefully next time in NYC I will be able to invite you to lunch or dinner. And it might happen in August!
Classy lady
We shared dessert – okay the food was great but forgot to take pictures
A bracelet Dinna made and sold in her Etsy shop
I am speechless and truly humbled by all that you have said, Lou. The feeling is mutual. Your friendship is one of the greatest rewards that my online presence has blessed my life with. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
This is a great post .. you write just as you day came along .. and the photos, FAB – haven’t been longing for NYC for years, but your posts have made it tickle again. Love the bracelet, but I have problems … I have a manly wrist. *smile – nothing fits me. Thanks again for bringing NYC to me.
Viveka, don’t fret. If you like something you can order it according to your size. If you follow her link, in her blog is the link to Gotham Chic, that’s her Etsy store. She can customize it for you. I have a problem too since I gained weight. My wrist has gotten bigger. LOL
I love that you always speak from your heart. Despite your achievements as a mother, wife, daughter, sister, your profession and career, you remain humble and generous even to strangers. You are a precious gift.
I’m a secret fan of PNY. She’s a beautiful person so incredibly gifted.
I’m glad that you’ve finally met!
Yes, she is truly gifted and very down to earth.
Destiny has it’s way of creating meaningful relationships. I felt your joy and excitement in this post. Dinna is a beautiful and wonderful person. I haven’t met a blogger friend in person yet and that would be a fun experience. Your trip to New York was truly unforgettable. God bless you and your family.
Dinna is a beautiful person like you. I could tell even if I haven’t met you. I forgot one blogger whom my cousin and I have already met in person, Noel Salisid. We met when we went to Ireland and he truly entertained and guided us. A very good friend. That is why we felt so bad when Multiply shut down their social networking site because we have met great friends there. I hope someday you’ll meet your fellow bloggers, it’s magical because you feel like you’ve known each other for so long.