Dear New York,

Dear New York,

As I prepare to leave ye for the Lone Star State, an expression of my gratitude is in order.

When I arrived in a Penske moving truck some six and a half years ago, you welcomed me, as you welcome every other twenty-something who wants a piece of the NYC life. My time with you has been valuable. I will leave your five boroughs a changed man. Thank you...

• Thank you for showing me that diversity is essential.
• Thank you for toughening my skin. I curse more than I used to.
• Thank you for teaching me a new meaning of the word "fresh". I am fresh.
• Thank you for showing me that people of God do not look a particular way or seek you in a particular place.
• Thank you for providing an atmosphere where I can understand who I wholly am.
• Thank you for introducing me to learned, compassionate friends.
• Thank you for CCfB (see previous two thank yous).
• Thank you for Manhattan Church.
• Thank you for Praise Team.
• Thank you for your nurses, doctors, and hospital staff who have shown me how to care for the sick.
• Thank you for Calvary.
• Thank you for Bellevue.
• Thank you for 24-hour bodegas.
• Thank you for Nectar Coffe Shop.
• Thank you for Paul, Casey, Caleb, Jeremy, Shaun, Seth, LeRoy, Jeff, and Tulio who provided companionship as roommates and taught me things about life.
• Thank you for Chelsea. Next to Disneyworld, it's the happiest place on Earth.
• Thank you for Brooklyn, and then Queens.
• Thank you for weekend trips.
• Thank you for the Chrysler Building and the Brooklyn Bridge.
• Thank you for the good people at Dunkin' Donuts on 28th and 3rd.
• Thank you for oxtail, spinach pie, perogies, and Brooklyn Lager, which I had never tried before we met.
• Thank you for Broadway.

To the people who I have known and loved here, I hope to see you down the road.


To my family who I have been away from for the last seven years, I'm coming home. See you soon for dinner.


Love,
Nate