I’ve spent the last two Thanksgiving weekends in New York City with my best friend from high school, Olivia. Last year we explored Manahttan and Brooklyn by foot. I got to eat my first Magnolia Bakery cupcake, walk the Brooklyn Bridge, and I was amazed by Time Square at night like the true tourist I will always be.
At the end of the weekend, Olivia and I decided to check our bank accounts. We managed to exceed the budget we never set. My feet were dead, my bank account was empty, but my heart was full. Spending the extended weekend with Olivia is like I having a little piece of California with me. Being away from home is bittersweet. However, it was amazing not having to explain to many of my relatives why I am single and will not be trying any form of stuffing. Thanksgiving leftovers are my least favorite thing, so I am happy that I don’t have to break my mother’s heart by turning down a ham breakfast burrito days after the holiday.
Spending time with Olivia is always great, but I can’t help but miss unnecessary political banter with my family. Olivia and I have started our own Thanksgiving tradition. We go to the movies and eat at J.C. Fogarty’s in Bronxville. We ate our weight in regular and caramel popcorn and I have no regrets. This year we ate the best chocolate mousse cake, and I am almost certain I have never been happier. So far we have watched the Bring It On movies, the Gilmore Girls revival, and music videos from the early 2000s. For the rest of the weekend we plan to commit to adulting by working on our resumes, while making time for at least three awful Lifetime movies. I am not sure where we will both be next Thanksgiving, but I am very grateful to have spent the last two with Olivia.