I’m so proud of my daughter. She has the drive and ambition to follow her dreams. After a grueling six month job search, she landed her dream job in Manhattan. It’s everything she’s ever wanted and more.
The mom in me is ecstatic, proud, and supportive, but I’m scared shitless for her safety, happiness, and well-being. New York City! That’s a whole new beast for this Iowa girl. We’ve traveled there as a family in the past and enjoyed all the culture NYC has to offer, but living there will be a new adventure.
After signing a job contract, my daughter was asked to start work in ten days. 10 DAYS! We needed to put her into temporary housing and find an apartment ASAP – with four days to accomplish the monumental task. Of course, the day we were flying out of Iowa, a massive storm ripped through the Midwest. We were expected to arrive in NYC at 2 PM but arrived at 3 AM the next day. We had been awake for 24 hours, with three apartment tours scheduled within hours. Buckle up!
After a precious three hours of sleep, my need for coffee far outweighed my oxygen needs, so I ventured out into the wild of Brooklyn. “Bodega” is such a fun word that I now try to use in sentences as much as possible, and the people who work there are the heart of New York City. On my way to the bodega for caffeine, I was stopped on the sidewalk by a sweet elderly lady with a cane. She said:
“EPSOM SALTS! You need Epsom salts. I soaked my toe this morning, and I feel great. You need Epsom salts. I usually use a walker, but look at me with my cane!” I praised her spry gait down the sidewalk and smiled as she rolled out the “Welcome to New York City” red carpet.
My young and fearless daughter charged into the subway, while I shuffled my feet with hesitation. I expected the dark underground where murders go unchecked, but I followed her like a puppy through the gates. 
We hopped onto the L-line, transferred to the N-line, and boarded a city bus—all using a tap of Apple Pay on our phones for $3. Unreal. Performers tucked in random corners displayed their skills for tips, and I enjoyed seeing what might be around the next corner!
The daily sights and sounds left me in awe! I saw my first New York City rat crawl across the subway tracks on my second day. So much to take in but all of it wonderful and eye-opening. We were surrounded by diverse cultures, music, and lifestyles, all unapologetically on display.
We zipped from one side of NYC to the other, begging to look at apartments and fill out applications—not easy! Thankfully, a very nice broker matched our energy and found us a place. After sending in 50 pages of financial documents and offering my left kidney, Lily landed an apartment. Whew.
It’s a new journey in our lives, and my daughter can’t wait for the challenge. I never doubted the little girl who, years ago, told us she wanted to live in New York City. Through hard work, persistence, and sheer will, she made it happen.
My fear and apprehension were set aside the moment she said, “Mom, I’m so happy!”
What more could we want for our kids?
