We know about 5 people in NYC, and most of them are from Port Angeles.

formal beer & steak night

We see Taeva once or twice a week, who grew up across the street from me and now goes to law school here.  She is quickly becoming our regular – and only – guest at our Beer and Steak night, although she doesn’t eat steak, and even rallies when we decide at the last minute it should be a formal / pajama party event (dresses & pajama pants supplied by the hosts of course!)   She brings me to theme parties at the law school and we take a lot of very late night subway rides, to get home, or walk other people’s dogs.

with Joyce

One of our closest friends, Joyce, grew up with my mom in Port Angeles and moved out to NYC ages ago.  We try to have dinner or drinks with Joyce and her man Phil on a regular basis.  They are fantastic conversation and make us feel like family.  We spent Christmas with them.  They even had a NYC themed dinner party for us when we first got here, where they served all the local best such as pickled herring from Russ and Daughters, and invited some of their other friends who have moved here over the years.

Because of our extremely small circle, you can imagine my surprise when I randomly run into someone I know.  Not long ago, I came out of the 2nd Ave station to find myself face to face with Sam, who also is from Port Angeles.

Then, a couple weeks ago, I went to a birthday dinner for my friend Monica.  She was introduced to me through my Seattle friend Amber, who is amazing and hilarious.  Although Monica’s not from Port Angeles, she’s really fun, and I was excited to meet some of her other girlfriends.  One of the friends, Megan, recognized me as soon as she walked in the door – “You look super familiar!  Where did we meet?”  My memory for faces is terrible.  It didn’t take her long to realize, though – she’d been at the dinner party at Joyce and Phil’s almost 6 months before!  We were both excited to tell Joyce and text her a photo to prove the coincidence.

And then, last wednesday, I found myself in the 2nd Ave station again.  And this time, it was Joyce I ran into!  Big smiles and hugs all around.  This place is kind of a small town.