On November 20, 2013, I landed with three extra booked suitcases and no idea how, what, or where in New York at JFK. I had only known my love for a year and went with him without any job, project, or plan. Almost everyone I shared this plan with looked at me with big eyes. But I was sure: this was it. And this ‘it’ was good. My heart and soul were convinced, and I effortlessly shook off all criticism and questions. I was sure of it. And why I knew that, I did not know, but I was certain. The truth of this certainty has proven itself. This first coffee I drank with my love in ‘our’ city was four years ago. I now call my love my husband, we have a four-legged woolly child added to our family, and we call New York our home.

Sitting in Central Park, I ask my friend N to take this slightly styled photo. The coffee is of course already cold and the pretzel dry, but that's not really what it's about. With my dear girlfriend, I walk through Central Park on the day I officially live in this city for four years. The first year was a great adventure, with a lot of doing and especially not thinking about it. The second year was one of deep valleys. The novelty had worn off, and I often felt lost among the intensely tall towers and all the noise. The following year was one of building up. I started my blog, began at Amayzine. And the bond with girlfriends who, like me, did not call themselves temporary residents of the island, grew stronger. Blue came into our lives, and slowly New York became home. The fourth year is the year of success. New York is now so much home that I always get homesick for it when I'm in the Netherlands. Our friend group is close-knit, we celebrate the holidays together, and they all flew to us for our wedding in Italy. Google Maps is almost unnecessary. We have become friends with the people from our favorite restaurants and brunch cafés. And the tall towers and all the noise feel like part of us. New York truly belongs to us now, and I can't bear to think of ever having to leave it.

Fortunately, that is certainly not the case for the time being. Until next week!