New York is one of my favorite places in the world. It should be, as I just celebrated my nine year anniversary here, which is longer than I have lived anywhere but home.

Though every part of my life has been blessed with the most supportive and loving family in the world, and I have more friends than I deserve, I’m always struck by how life in New York can make you feel alone, even as you battle through crowded streets and venues.

Mark Twain once called New York “a splendid desert — a domed and steepled solitude, where the stranger is lonely in the midst of a million of his race.” Twain gets it. The city, though vibrant and exciting can be isolating, and I’m just not sure why. 

What I do know though, is that you can’t go it alone in New York.  We need each other. Without a supportive community around us, we’ll never survive this metropolis.

Thankfully, and by the grace of God, I have an amazing community of friends that surround every part of my life. They make me laugh, cry, release stress, laugh at myself, and just bring me joy.  

Last night we had a party to celebrate my friend’s new job. Her new and old colleagues and friends gathered to wish her well, and I was uplifted by celebrating the accomplishments of one of my cherished friends. I realized that one of the things that made the night so special was that we started together in this city nine years ago, as NBC Pages. Many of our ”core group” (Page start group) was there to celebrate, and we realized how far we’ve come since we put on the “blues” and gave tours through the NBC studios. We’re all still friends, and have had many parties celebrating the achievements in each other’s lives; and it’s a phenomenal experience and feeling to celebrate something that nine years ago you never would have thought would happen, or ever believe would happen to you.

Events like last night add light to this New York life, as does running into old and new acquaintances and friends on the streets, at bars, at work events, etc. All these run-in coincidences make me smile, knowing that I have a real community around me in this huge, crazy city. Each party and run-in leave me walking away uplifted and knowing that I am not alone.