Dear Boston

Dear Boston,

Today is our 1 year anniversary, and I thought I'd write you a note to commemorate this incredible year and to remind you of the significance of the date in case you'd forgotten. (Although, who am I kidding? You pride yourself on keeping track of all major events; heck, you even celebrate a tea party that happened hundreds of years ago! And Patriots' Day? What is Patriots' Day anyways? But that's another conversation for another time...)

While we have only officially been together for the past year, our relationship actually began when I was 15, although I didn't realize it at the time. In fact, I was completely turned off by you. You were cold, rude, rushed, and did I mention cold? It was hard for me to see beyond your rough exterior into your heart, and to be quite honest, it didn't help your case that my parents wanted me to like you; there was more than a little teenage rebellion going on in my animosity toward you. I spent as much time as I could trying to get away from you and finally succeeded, unaware of how much I would miss you once I was gone. But, to be fair, you did very little to help win me over at first. I mean, the Red Sox didn't start winning until after I'd left you. That didn't occur to you beforehand? I took it as a kind gesture and began speaking of you more fondly, but I didn't even consider getting back together with you until the Red Sox won again three years later. Then, I knew you were serious about making this work.

But let's not run away with ourselves: I don't want to say that this year with you has been all sunshine and roses. For example, there was that massive miscommunication we had about the month of April. You thought it was supposed to be winter when I had clearly indicated that I wanted it to be springtime. We've gotten that all sorted out now, though, and I honestly couldn't stay mad at you for long when I reflected on how many snow days you had lavished on me in December and January. (Seems like you learned your lesson from the Red Sox; winning a woman's heart earlier on is much easier than trying to make up for mistakes later!)

But in the end, Boston, I have to admit that I would not want to be with anyone else. You keep me on my toes: whether it's enjoying a snowstorm one day and a sunny 60-degree day the next; navigating the multiple (and, might I add, completely unmarked) intersections where three lanes of traffic suddenly merge into one; simultaneously cheering the Red Sox and cursing the Yankees, whether or not both teams are actually playing; or trying to decipher the dry humor of my favorite auto mechanic, there is never a dull moment with you. You provide me with endless entertainment, and virtually any type of food my little heart could desire (and I had no idea how often I would be letting you provide me with dinner this year, so that is definitely an aspect of our relationship for which I am thankful)! Most importantly, you make me feel like I can be myself. I never have to dress up to be with you (and, in fact, most people who spend time with you don't)! I can be loud and opinionated and sometimes painfully clueless about social norms, and you just make me feel like I fit right in.

While I'm not ready for any long-term, clearly-defined commitment, Boston, I think we may just have started down a long and beautiful road together. At the very least, I hope so. Here's to you, Boston! And here's to us. Happy anniversary!

Love,
Sarah