| boston memories + marathon monday |

[ view from our bedroom ]

Happy Marathon Monday! As many of you know I have a deep love for Boston: the city itself is full of some of my favorite restaurants, shops and memories. Jeff, was born and raised in Newton, just a few miles out of the city, we ventured east for our first time together just a few months after we started dating. Him and his family played tour guide and it was in those few days I knew Boston would always hold a incredibly special place in my heart. Less than a year into Jeff and my relationship we visited a few times but knew we both wanted change from LA; it was then we packed up both our apartments and headed east in Jeff's jeep wrangler for a fresh spring start in back bay, boston. With the help from Jeff's dad and his camera we found what we look back on as "the perfect city apartment". We lived on the corner of Dartmouth and Newbury in a dreamy brownstone with an amazing view overlooking Boylston, Dartmouth and Newbury street.

Our first weekend in our apartment Jeff had to get back to work, I knew no one in the city and really didn't know my way around but I leashed up Charlie and ventured (something I am not known to do). It was marathon monday: an event so big in the state of Massachusetts that most get it off and venture down to the finish line, it was just steps away from our apartment. walking down to the finish line validated my feelings for the city: the people and the energy, it was amazing.

Last year I could tell you where I was and what I was doing when I heard the news: I was working at Horton Plaza- I saw the TV in a fitting room flashing breaking news while I sat on a conference call. I immediately called Jeff, asked him if anyone was at the finish line and my heart ached for my beloved adopted city. I got in touch with my girlfriends to see where they were; some friends were close by and forever altered by those moments.

Not a day goes by that I don't think about that horrific day but today, specifically, I am thinking about Boston: the city, the people- our family and friends, the energy that was brought to lift the city up and make marathon Monday bigger and better than ever. Boston Strong.

I hope you enjoy a few snaps from around boston that make me smile and bring back nothing but happy thoughts.