Yesterday I had a friend do something for me that moved me to a loss for words (don’t worry, the words have since returned) and a few tears.
Have I ever told you about my love affair with Portland, Maine? No? Well, pull up a chair.
I grew up in New York City but never felt comfortable there. Looking back now, I realize that I was a teenage girl and wouldn’t have been comfortable anywhere, but at the time, I thought I had to get away. I wanted to go as far away as I could from the Upper East Side of Manhattan, but I needed to be within a day’s drive of my parents’ open arms. So I went to the University of Maine (for those New York Times crossword puzzle fans among you) in Orono, Maine.
I fell in love with the state. As almost anyone who has ever lived in Maine will tell you, it has a magnetic draw. An indescribable pull that makes it difficult to leave. So after I left Orono, I moved to Portland. I got an internship at the Portland Stage Company. The year was 1990 and I was twenty-one. I had a fourth-floor-walk-up apartment on Danforth Street where I could hear the fog horns from every room. There was a digital clock on top of a downtown bank building that I could see from my bedroom window. I woke often to see single digit temperatures blinking brightly into my bed.
At the theater there was a production manager who I had a thing for. Fifteen years later I married him and we spent the first night of our honeymoon just blocks from that apartment.
Circumstance keeps us from moving back there, or anywhere, for now. But a girl can dream.
So when Kathleen was giving away a copy of Portland Through the Lens, I knew I had to have it.
But Tara’s was the lucky number. I was glad just to know the book existed and figured that one day I would buy it.
And then in yesterday’s mail:
Thank you Kathleen. I was very touched by your generous and thoughtful gesture.
Niall and I poured over it for a long time last night, each retreating to our own memories of time spent there.
And a special bonus: one of the featured photographers is my newest bf (that’s blog-speak for bloggy-friend) Stephanie!
I love this book. It actually aches to look through it, but if it’s at all possible, it’s a good ache.
Maybe one day…
Thank you for visiting.
{ 16 comments… read them below or add one }
OMG, Amy! Small world. Grew up in Spanish Harlem in NYC. Went to BU and met boyfriend who moved to U of M in Orono. Followed him there. Decided to go to Law School and went to Maine Law in Portland, and married him. Crazy!
That was a sweet gift and reminder of your time in Maine.
I love it when someone is really kind and thoughtful! How beautiful!
How fun is that?!? Hooray! I’m telling you, Kathleen makes it all happen.
Would you believe me if I told you that I had a really strong impulse to send you my copy? I knew you would love it…and maybe it’s even winner’s remorse? Like I don’t deserve it as much as you?
Well, that may be a little much, but I’m so glad that we both got one from Kathleen. She is an amazing bf, don’t you think?
And that ache? It’s good: it makes you treasure things that you hold dear, even if you can’t possess them completely. It’s good training for parenting older children, I think.
Take care and best wishes, Tara
How special! that’s what bf’s are for
That’s awesome! What an excellent bf!!
What a wonderful gift you’ve received! I feel that way about Portland, OR, where I went to law school. Hated school, but fell in love with the city. Moved back to Kentucky after graduation for many reasons, but I’ve had a bounce in my step for 3 days because I finally booked a flight for this spring. And I saw a wonderful book about walking in Portland on another blog that made me hold my breath while I looked and longed. Enjoy your Portland!
I love getting these little glimpses into my bf’s lives – thanks for sharing that. I have never been to Maine, but have always wanted to visit there. Someday I will!
Now it’s my turn to be at a loss for words, and to be overwhelmed by the deep connection I feel with amazing people I have never met. xoxo
What a special gift! I was just able to visit my favorite childhood place growing up this week and it made me realize how much I miss it (Rhinebeck, NY)
People can be so lovely! I’ve never been to Portland, but it sounds amazing.
I love thoughtful gestures like that…they make me believe the world really is a good place. I love Maine as well…I’m itching to get away and Maine is tops on my list.
Oh, wow. That’s so wonderful, and I’m so glad you posted a link to the book! I may have to ask for it for my birthday…especially since I’ll be there just a few days after. Maybe one of my parents will oblige.
I love reading other people’s little stories like these… I hope you are enjoying the photos!
maybe you would have a similar fondness for portland, oregon?!
unexpected acts of kindness are so lovely. glad you received such a meaningful gift.
love to you.
What a great gift! Portland, Me is a beautiful place. We visited in early December because we were thinking about relocating there at the end of summer. With the economy being the way it is right now, I don’t think that we’ll actually manage to move there any time soon, but we loved it. The old cobblestone streets, brick buildings, and the harbor reminded me a lot of Europe. I thought that the people there were incredibly welcoming and friendly as well.
what a sweet gesture! don’t you just love it when people do super thoughtful things for you like that?