In Celebration Of New Beginnings

Friday, I enjoyed an epic girls night out with my cousin Alexandra. We met up at Grata, one of my favorite Italian restaurants in Midtown East.

Attentive service, an enticing menu and cozy atmosphere make Grata a delightful experience every time. We enjoyed mouth watering burrata salad, spaghetti in a light lemon cream sauce and chocolate mousse for dessert. I also discovered the pleasures of French martinis. Mmm.

Alex and I had a lot to catch up on. I told her about my exciting new chapter at work — adding The Westin New York at Times Square to my Marketing Manager duties. She filled me in on what’s new with her and hubby. During our soul soothing four-hour plus conversation, we also covered a lot of emotional ground — reflecting on family, romantic relationships and letting go of the past to make room for new beginnings.

I’ve been working a lot on the latter lately, especially when it comes to my late, beloved parents. For far too long now, I’ve been holding on too tightly to their memory, and surrounding myself with physical reminders of them. After ten years in my home, I am at long last starting the journey of making it a reflection of me now.

Though I will forever and always miss Mom and Dad, grieving daughter is no longer the label I want to have define me. It’s time for a fresh start and looking forward.

Here’s to new beginnings — at work, home and most of all, in the heart.