Penn Station

New York City. It’s never been on Sheldon and I’s bucket list. Even though we love Elf. Home Alone 2. Miracle on 34 Street.

Right before we left for California, I felt like I had to book New York. At the time I thought, we should stop travelling monthly, Paige shouldn’t miss any more school. But - I listened to my gut and booked it. There was something in New York that we had to see, experience, and feel.

So when it was minus 29 in Calgary, we hopped aboard a plane and went to the concrete jungle where dreams are made of. It was raining. Humid. Our first meal was at Chuko where we devoured brussel sprouts and delicious ramen. We immediately started to fall in love with the city.

It was pouring outside and humid, but we were glad to see the rain than experience snow and the cold.

The next morning, Sheldon ran around Prospect Park, and when he returned I walked around Brooklyn. As soon as I stepped out of our apartment I loved the vibe of the city. The blue skies. The multitude of coloured leaves streaming across the sidewalk. The Brownstone buildings. I decided to visit a nearby bakery and as I turned the corner I saw the moon shining so bright. Penn greeting me. And at that moment I knew we made the right decision to come to New York.

We ended up eating all the food. Food that Penn would’ve also loved - pain au chocolat, croissants, donuts, ramen, okonomiyaki tater tots, pizza, frites and macaroons from Ladurée, smoked salmon from Russ and Daughters, you name it! And it was all so delicious. Sheldon and I were able to have a date night at Clover Hill (which we HIGHLY recommend). It was incredible.

Paige got to experience riding the subway and loved it. How you have to take the stairs under buildings and roads to take the train. And all the tunnels and bridges to get to where we had to go.

We spent a day in Brooklyn, hopping around to a few different neighbourhoods before crossing the Brooklyn Bridge into Manhattan. In DUMBO, we rode Jane's carousel and Paige and her cousin played at a pirate playground. They could’ve spent all day there. The weather was perfect. 20 degrees. And for our lunch Paige folded a piece of pizza (very New York of her) and ate at a bench. I’m almost certain she’s a city gal. She thrives in the city. Surrounded by people, cool places, and of course, delicious food.

There was one place in particular I knew we had to visit. Penn station. Before going to New York I didn’t know the controversy and history. The original Penn station was constructed to be the gateway to Manhattan when it was built in 1905 and opened in 1910.

In 1963, the city of New York demolished Penn station to construct Madison Square Gardens. But this started a movement in New York to preserve historical buildings in the city. New York would not have the mix of old and new if it weren’t for Penn station being teared down. We didn't know the restoration of a new Penn station (adjacent to the original site) was in the works for several years. It opened in January 2021, in the historic James A. Farley Building, one of New York's first post offices.

We walked up the former US post office building, went along the long arcade, and was greeted with a string quartet playing, "Can't Take my eyes off of you" by Frankie Valli as we entered Moynihan Hall. The glass atrium was stunning and of course, we cried. The live music. The stunning architecture. And - the station even has Magnolia Bakery - Penn would've approved!

Entering Penn station was symbolic for us - that our family can rebuild and we can still live a beautiful and fulfilling life. Just because our loved ones are no longer here, you will still remember them and feel them. Despite destruction, and heartache, you can smile again. Because life is precious. And we only get one life - so live life to its fullest and make it the life you imagined and more.

Family photo along the Brooklyn Heights promenade. A huge thank you to our family Tiff, Ed and Rio for being incredible hosts and showing us your beautiful city.